To the Beach By Bicycle |
Exploring Philadelphia and beyond
Philadelphia lies within a days ride of the gleaming sands of the south Jersey barrier islands. Pack up an overnight bag, put on plenty of sun screen and head on down.
We start this trip at the Delaware River at the end of the Pennypack trail. Alternatively, you can take the train to the Holmesburg Junction stop.
Crossing the Tacony Palmyra bridge involves a narrow pedestrian walkway. The only question is whether the upstream (left) or downstream (right) walkway is open. 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 10-mile straight-as-an-arrow segment of Atsion Road.
The traditional lunch stop is at the Silver Coin diner 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 blueberry heartland of NJ before taking another break by the scenic lakes of May's Landing.
From there it's another flat stretch to the recently completed pedestrian/bike path over the 9th St. bridge into Ocean City. 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.