To the Beach By Bicycle

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Philadelphia, PA, US

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Route Overview

Delaware Valley Cycling

Exploring Philadelphia and beyond

74 mi.

1,132 ft.

Philadelphia lies within a days ride of the gleaming white sands of the south Jersey barrier islands. Pack up an overnight bag, put on plenty of sun screen and head on down.

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Route Details

We start this trip at the Delaware River at the end of the Pennypack trail. Alternatively, you can take the train to the @poi[Holmesburg Junction stop](1760775).

Crossing the @slice[Tacony Palmyra bridge](d,5591.12,6365.15) involves a @photo[narrow pedestrian walkway](1505741). The only question is whether the upstream (left) or downstream (right) @photo[walkway is open](1548627). The downstream option involves going under the bridge on the Pennsylvania side and then crossing back under the bridge on the New Jersey side. You complete the crossing on the upstream side.

Once across, you'll cut through the lovely town of Riverton on your way to quaint Moorestown where it's traditional to take a break. From there, you'll head to the @slice[10-mile straight-as-an-arrow segment](d,36410.37,51883.04) of Atsion Road.

The traditional lunch stop is at the @photo[Silver Coin diner](1790634) in Hammonton, just past the half way mark. Other options are available in the strip shopping centers that line the White Horse Pike. Then pass through the @photo[blueberry heartland](1790725) of NJ before taking another break by the @poi[scenic lakes](1760783) of May's Landing.

From there it's another flat stretch to the recently completed pedestrian/bike path over the @poi[9th St. bridge](1760786) into @photo[Ocean City](1790728). Find a place to stay and change into your bathing suit for a couple hours on the beach.

You can ride home another day or ride to Atlantic City or back to Hammonton to catch a train back to the city.

# Route

* The actual start is up to you and depends on whether you are returning the same day or staying overnight at the beach. For planning convenience, we've started the route at Pennypack park very near the Holmesburg Junction train station. 
* The bridge has a lovely @photo[view up river](1451236) and a view of the @photo[skyscrapers of downtown Philadelphia](1505742).  
* Moorestown is a great place to take an early break.  
* Atsion road is a @slice[10-mile, flat straightaway](d,36410.37,51883.04) where many riders test their mettle.
* @poi[Hammonton](1760780) is just past the mid-point of the ride and offers several lunch options. 
* Before you enter Mays Landing, there's a park by the lake with @poi[bathrooms](1760783). In the town of Mays Landing is a @photo[peaceful park](1790635) next to the courthouse. And as you leave town, look for the @poi[sandwich shop](1760785) on the right just past the turn for Old River Road. The sandwiches are worth the slight backtracking you'll have to do.
* Entering the island of Ocean City is a breeze now that a bike and pedestrian friendly bridge has been completed. The town has an extensive network of bicycle lanes as well as a boardwalk where bicycles are permitted before noon.

# Notes

* The beach is always fun, but best when both the weather and the water are warm. 
* If the approach to the Tacony Palmyra bridge is too daunting, consider driving across and parking on a back street of Palmyra. 
* Bring two water bottles, snacks and plenty of sunscreen. There are long stretches of farm and woodland. 
* Southern New Jersey is very flat. Almost anyone can complete this ride with enough time. 
* Water, food and bathrooms are indicated on the map. Make notes if you have to, because there are stretches where no amenities are near by.

# Connecting Routes
* [Jenkintown to the Delaware River](http://ridewithgps.com/routes/14541560)

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To the Beach By Bicycle

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