From Cap May, NJ to NYC

[horses60]

Hi,
In the next few days I will arrive in Cap May, NJ from Florida and would like to get to NYC to take the Empire State Trail back to Canada.
Could you suggest the best route to get into Manhattan alive?

[canalligators]

Ride on or near the coast of NJ to Sandy Hook, then take the ferry to lower Manhattan.  The EST starts there.  Note that I haven’t taken this route, but it makes sense and others have recommended it.  Perhaps users here can give more specific advice.

[horses60]

Thank you, We actually followed roads and bike paths near US-9 to Toms River, then to the coast with the 37 and to the ferry with the 35