The weather is bringing me inside on a daily basis now and I will continue posting segments to finish the on  Atlantic Coast Route.  My blog segment  for this virtual trip began on March 12, 2023 and my last post was on June 13, 2023.  The mileage log that I keep tells me that 1,508.2 miles have been detailed through route maps and photos. Once I got outside for longer periods during the warmer months I get away from the blogs.

Getting out a major metropolitan area is rough on the bike.  You will need to allow for time because you will spend time waiting at lights, pedestrians, and traffic.  You will need to be extra vigilant. Philadelphia has over 1.5 million and that does not include the suburbs.  The bike infrastructure is improving, but you must be careful.  This segment is very exhausting.

Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail or the D & R Canal. This is a 77 mile trail comprised of three segments. It is part if the East Coast Greenway. The surface is crushed stone.

This river is the border for Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  This is the Delaware River which is a major river in the Eastern US.  In fact, it is the longest free flowing river in the East at 282 miles long.  The indigenous people in this region were the Lenape and commonly referred to by the Europeans as the Delaware.

Lambertville has long been a ferry spot and the name kept changing when the proprietors of the ferry changed.  In 1810 the town was named after John Lambert, a resident who served as senator and later acting governor. A town now of 3400 and a good place to spend the night.

My wife made a good point as I was ready to post this when she said, "You did not continue with your post on Cycling the Erie Canal?"  She explained that it would be confusing to my readers.  I apologize. She is right! 

​On July 22nd soon after I got back from the tour I did my first post.  On July 25th I did my last post.  Now I will continue and finish recording about the Erie Canal eight day tour.  Once I complete those I will move on from Lambertville going North.

Yesterday, I participated in the local walk to support food insecurity needs. Money raised by this event will be used to support local and world efforts.

I did the two mile loop and that was long enough for me. There was also a 5 mile option.

The Fed Up Ministry travels to several places around the Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti area to offer free meals.

I tried their wild rice and mushroom soup.  It was very good. My glass was used for the lemonade the had a hint of lavender.  It was very tasty.  I look forward to doing it next year.

At this time of year I never know how many days I will get to ride outside.  Several conditions will cause me not to ride during this season.  Some days I am too busy and the daylight is less.  I can always find some time each day to exercise inside, Sunset is at 7:00 P.M. today and we have a couple of minutes  less sunlight each day.  The temperatures are the biggest determining factor for me.  I have set 50 degrees fahrenheit as my low temperature to stay inside to ride.  We have been having rain and I would rather not ride in the rain.

I rode this in July and only got part of the way before I was stopped by a train across the path. Another rider with me said that this usually takes a long time and there is no quick way around to pick up the trail. 

I turned around and explored the Lower Huron Metro Park to fill my ride time.  This time I was hoping to get all the way through all three and then do the section to the city of Flat Rock.  On the drive to the park I was stopped by a train on the access road.  Luckily my mapping app gave me a suggest for driving around and I made it into the park.

These parks require a day or yearly pass.  They are open year round to residents and non-residents. I get the senior rate.  A yearly pass pays for itself after only 3 visits.  Most activities are during the summer with the outdoor pool being a big draw.  During my three hours along the trail I saw cyclists, runners and walkers.  Most of the time I was by myself.

This park was as quiet as the first park.

I will try to come back when the leaves turn color.

At this point the path changed to a path through the city and many stop lights.  I decided to save this for another day since I needed to allow time to retrace my path to get to my car.  Going on from here will be a good summer ride because it leads to the water and to neighboring cities through the green way.

In the park I also found this bear statue and next to it was a plaque that explained the significance.  I appreciate the tribute to the indigenous people who once inhabited this part of Michigan.