NYC to Outer Banks of NC

[msb1976]

So, last month I took my first overnight bike tour.  
Cleveland, OH to NYC.  The route I took was about 750
miles and I knocked it out in 7 days.  I was riding
all day, but I wasn't killing myself.  

With this in mind, I have 2 questions:

1. Is there any reason to believe I could not sustain
this pace on a NYC to Outer Banks ride? (considering
the terrain)

2. For what reason does the AC Atlantic route brings
you so far inland?  Is it just so you can pass through
Philly, DC, B-less?

Better yet, is it possible to ride the jersey shore to
cape may, take the ferry to lewes, de (anyone know the
cost of that?) down route 1 through rehoboth, bethany,
etc, down into Ocean City, MD, into Assateague,
Chincoteague?  
It looks like at that point I'd have to wait for a
kind soul with a pickup truck to drive me over the
chesapeake bridge-tunnel, but if that is the only
unridable portion of the actual coast, this route
seems far preferable to the AC Route.

Sorry to ramble on like that.  Any experience or
advice you'd care to share is appreciated.
 

[JayH]

http://www.capemaylewesferry.com/schedfares/schedfares.asp

I've biked on some sections of the jersey shore, there is new railtrail, I think called the Henry Hudson or something like that, starts up by Atlantic Highlands and runs south.  Be careful with the shore traffic. There is a MS ride that runs from Sandy Hook to Cape May too, not sure of their route though.  

As far as the Cape May Lewes ferry, I've biked across before, I recall them charging like $6 or so, but then I just looked at their website:

http://www.capemaylewesferry.com/schedfares/schedfares.asp

And it say bicycles are free... ? I dunno if they changed it or perhaps  they charge you the pedestrian fee but I don't remember it being free. Might want to simply call them and ask..

It's not much and helluva lot cheaper than a passenger car anyway.

I don't see why you couldn't maintain the same pace anyway, going down the coast shouldn't be as hilly as going from Ohio through the hills of the appalachians...and the Jersey shore is flat!

Jay

[John Hunka]

The AC route through New Jersey and Pennsylvania is far more scenic than a ride along the Jersey Shore.  In particular, you ride through the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country on the AC tour, which is absolutely beautiful rolling farmland.  In addition, the Amish lead a very interesting lifestayle, and you get to meet and observe the Amish in a non-intrusive manner on a bike ride.  In short, I think you'd be missing alot if you stuck to the coastline.

John Hunka
Philadelphia, PA

[msb1976]

Thanks, john.  definitely something to consider.  

It also turns out that the chesapeake bridge tunnel
provides bicyclists a ride for the price of a
passenger vehicle toll.