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Trenton/Frenchtown/Trenton

63.5mi
812ft
1.8%
00:00
812ft
-3.0%

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This is the papa bear of the Delaware River towpath routes. I rode it solo, pretty much nonstop with a mean, stiff headwind out; it was just a hair over 5 hours of riding. For those gravel grinders out there, this will give you a full day in the saddle. If there is a safe, long gravel ride, this is it. Of course you need to pay attention to the few road crossings and downtown Trenton. Especially potholes in Trenton!

As tempting as it seems, do not ride your bike across the Uhlerstown/Frenchtown bridge. You will be on video and spotted by enforcement on the Frenshtown side. And if you look like me you will get an $85 summons. But the short bridge walk will give you an opportunity to see the river at a slower pace.

Should you have time on your hands when you get to Uhlerstown, go another 5 miles or so up the river and cross on the bridge to Milford; do the grandpa of this series!

Delaware Canal towpath in PA to New Hope, back on Delaware Raritan Canal towpath in NJ. Gravel surfaces great for hybrids and mtn bikes, suitable for road bikes, but I think you would want to have at least 20 mm tires.

Trains from NYC Penn Station run hourly, riding time 90 minutes each way. 2 bikes can be carried on either end of the double decker train cars, flipping seats up. You can secure your bikes with thin rope, sitting on seats across the aisle. Train begins at NYC Penn and ends at Trenton.

Note that NJ Transit senior ticket discount starts at age 62. Bring ID.

The 2 streets you take in Trenton are safe other than motor traffic. You will pass the State Capitol Building and other historical sites in Trenton.

This is an easy, most unusual ride for NYCC riders. But your speed will be slower than comparable distance on roads due to surface resistance of gravel paths. Except for access to the towpaths, you will only deal with motor traffic when roads cross the paths.

Caution is needed when passing under bridges while cycling north on the Delaware Canal towpaths. Be sure to gauge headroom as these vary. Also, there are a few blind spots as you approach these underpasses. You might need to walk your bike if you cannot duck low enough on a few underpasses. Or you can cycle to the right and cross the road that goes over the bridge. Be wary and respectful of oncoming path users.

Optional bathroom stop and Cumberland Farms on way north noted on cue sheet.

You will have no problem finding dining in New Hope or Lambertville. Advise bringing bike locks.

A headwind out means a tailwind back, most of the time.

Author: John Zenkus

HS 11/17/2023
HS 3/25/2019

Roboviva Cue Sheet: snuggl.es/roboviva/routes/29532546


Trenton, NJPublic (937 views)Created Mar 21, 2019Updated Nov 21, 2023

Surfaces

  • Paved
    41.8 mi
    66%
  • Unpaved
    21.6 mi
    34%

Cuesheet

  • Tenton Railroad Station Left on Raoul Wallenberg Ave
    0.0 mi
  • Turn right onto S Clinton Ave
    0.0 mi
  • Turn left onto E State St
    0.2 mi
  • Turn left onto Calhoun St
    1.3 mi
  • Continue onto Calhoun St Bridge
    1.4 mi
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Ele
Grade
63.5 miles · +812 ft / -812 ft
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(ft)
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