The Route



July 30
The Completion of Another Great Tour


Total miles: 438

We have been in Manhattan for 2 days now. Visited Ground Zero, Empire State Building, Central Park, John Lennon's former house "The Dakota", and took a boat tour around the island. Sean is leaving tomorrow and I will leave for Kentucky Tuesday. Thursday I will drive up to Cincinnati for Paul McCartney's Concert.

We woke up early and walked north toward Central Park. Near 72nd st. we passed by The Dakota where John Lennon used to live before he was killed walking back to his house.


I told Sean that it was sad that a great musician was killed by a lunatic. We turned back into the park and came upon "Strawberry Fields" a mosaic commemorating Lennon. There were a lot of people standing near this area. Next we starting walking back south and saw a group of guys in a sandy area doing an obstacle course. They were all covered in sweat.

As we left the park we could see the Empire State Building. I thought this was a good time to go up to the top since it was still early. We had to wait in a large line though. But it was worth it since we got great views up top.

View from on top of the Empire State Building


On top of the Empire State Building


On top of the Empire State Building



On top of the Empire State Buidling


Where John Lennon was gunned down passed the gate


Later we caught up with Cindy and John and they suggested we take a boat cruise around lower Manhattan. I really liked this tour as we got to see a lot. While on the tour we listened to Malachy Murray, the tour guide. He told us some very interesting things about NYC.

Boat tour



Lower Manhattan





Brooklyn Bridge



All of the members of the group are now gone from NYC. Some headed back home and about 9 others rode on toward Vermont.

Sean and I had a great time on the tour. I am glad that he saw "older" people who are inspiring; who want to stay active, explore and seek adventure. We both hope we can ride with them again some time.

On August 1 I took Sean to JFK. He flew to San Francisco that evening. I went back to the Hotel Pennsylvania at 10: p.m. but woke up early and flew from LaGuardia to Louisville, Ky.

Once in Louisville I rented a car and drove to Ed's house in Frankfort, KY. I stayed in Frankfort for two days. Ed worked each morning but took me out for drives in rural KY in the afternoon. On Wednesday we met Bill Fortune in Lexington and then Ed, his wife sue and I had dinner at a nice restaurant.

On Thursday morning I drove up to Cincinnati to see Paul McCartney in concert. It was a great treat to finally see him live and to be close to the stage. There were over 41,000 people at the concert.

Paul McCartney in Cincinnati, August 4

Newark, NJ to New York City

July 29
5 miles
I woke up early and begin to take off stuff from both bikes to prepare them for shipment back to California. We will ride the bikes on Manhattan and then go directly to Sid's Bike Shop on 19th Street.

I also put on street clothes as opposed to biking clothes because once we drop off our bikes Sean and I will walk around NYC before going to the Hotel Pennsylvania at 3 p.m. I did not want to walk around NYC in biking spandex.


We left the Hilton in Newark at around 9 am. and took the PATH subway under the Hudson River to the World Trade Center station. Bikes are not permitted on the subway before 9:30.

A few people are leaving today. Most of the group will stay tonight at the Hotel Pennsylvania.

The PATH dropped us off at the World Trade Center. Sean and I walked passed the construction area of Ground Zero.

Since Sean and I were new to Manhattan, Margaret said she would lead us through Manhattan to Sid's Bike shop. Once there we made arrangements to ship the bikes back to Calif.

Sean and I waiting at a red light on Manhattan. Not wearing biking clothes anymore. Photo taken by Margaret



Next Sean and I went to Times Square near 42nd Street. We were struck by the intense energy in NYC. It made SF look like a small town.

Blaine wanted us back at the hotel at 3:00 pm so we walked back to 33rd and met up with him.

The weather was hot and humid but we were a little used to it by now.

At 5:30 pm all the group gathered in the lobby of the Hotel Pennsylvania and walked to an Afghan restaurant. The dinner was delicious. A large storm rolled through while eating. But by the time we left the restaurant it was dry again.




Time Square shot by Droid phone


Last dinner with great people

Iselin, NJ to Newark, NJ

July 28
30 Miles

We only had 30 miles today but I was a little worried that it would involve a lot of traffic since we would be riding in larger cities.

We had another great breakfast this morning in a separate room just for the group. This time provided by the Hilton in Iselin.

After breakfast everyone gathered by the entrance to pair up for today's ride. We left about 8 30 am.

The ride involved many turns but it turned out very pleasant. We all began the ride in a large group but split up soon. First Sean and I rode with Ed, John, Lesa, and Kim but ended up riding with Margaret and Gene.


Gathering outside the Hilton in Iselin to ride to Newark


Sean and Blaine hanging out before the ride


Margaret and Lesa


Early in the ride


Checking direction in Crawford, NJ


Snack stop in Crawford


One of the many short bike trails on today's route, Sean, Lesa, Kim, and John


Another bakery stop



In Newark traffic, Margaret, Gene, and Sean


In downtown Newark, Margaret


Gene, Margaret and Sean at the Hilton Newark waiting to check in


We got to the hotel in Newark around 1 pm and waited to check in.

Before dinner Ed, Sean, and I took the PATH train to Liberty Park, NJ and walked to where we could see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. We raced back for dinner at a restaurant at the Hilton. This will be the last dinner for all in the group. Margaret and Karen are leaving tomorrow.

Dinner at the hotel in Newark

Princeton, NJ to Iselin, NJ

July 27
43 miles

We had another wonderful meal this morning at the Chauncey Conference Center. (I don't think we are losing any weight on this tour!)

Great breakfast


Most everyone wanted to start riding around 7:30 am.

Sean and I first rode with John, Cindy, Marc, and Sharon. We ended up backtracking to the Greenway outside Princeton. Once we got to downtown Princeton Margaret and Gene caught up with us. John, Cindy, Sharon and Marc decided to stop in downtown. We pushed on with Gene and Margaret. We rode about 7 miles from the Conference Center in busy Princeton traffic before we could locate the towpath going north toward Iselin.

Everyone gathering outside the Chauncey Conf. Center ready to ride.


At first we missed the towpath once we crossed a bridge. After looking all around Margaret located it on the other side of the bridge. When we got on the path it was all dirt with some smooth areas but also some pretty rough ones too.
Riding the towpath with Sean, Margaret, and Gene


On the towpath


On the towpath




It took us longer than anticipated to ride on the path to New Brunswick. By then it was 12:30 pm and Gene, Sean, and I were getting hungry.

After New Brunswick we rode through heavy traffic. Several times Gene and I had to stop to make sure we were on the right course. I am glad I had my GPS handy to show the road names. I also asked some local people for directions.

Nearing New Brunswick in Johnson Park


We reached the Hilton Hotel in Iselin around 1:30pm. Blaine had a conference room on the 2nd floor for us to go for lunch. Then at 3 pm we got keys to our room.

Around dinner time many of the group went to a restaurant located inside the hotel.

Cookstown, NJ to Princeton, NJ

July 26
45 miles

It was cooler than yesterday when we left the Comfort Inn in Cookstown. Cookstown is near some military bases. There were a number of soldiers staying in our hotel. We left the hotel around 7:30 am.

Leaving in the morning


Today's ride was a little hillier than the last several days. We past many beautiful large homes with horses in the pastures. Kim in the foreground



Checking directions


One of the many large houses along the ride


When we got to the area with large homes I attempted to take a picture and forget to clip out of my pedals. As a result I took a spill in the grass. Sean was up ahead and ended up riding to Princeton with Margaret and Gene.

Ed and Kim south of Princeton


Near the research area Kim, Ed and I found a really good coffee shop.

Ed and I at a coffee shop near Princeton



As we got closer to the Princeton area we saw many research buildings and students. Some of the roads in this area were fairly busy with small shoulders so we really had to be careful.

Lunch stop near Princeton


Lesa joking with one of Blaine's cones as we were leaving the lunch stop


Ed and John in downtown Princeton


Nearing the Chauncy Research Center


We rode out of downtown Princeton for about 4 miles to the Chauncy Conference Center and arrived at 1:30 pm. While waiting to check in Ed helped me find flights online to get to Kentucky.

Dinner was provided at the Conference Center. There were all sorts of very good food. We had another wonderful meal.

Home for the night-The Chauncy Conference Center at Princeton.



Everyone checking out the great buffet for dinner at the center


Our dinner party

Egg Harbor, NJ to Cookstown, NJ

July 25
64 miles

Today we had the complimentary breakfast at 6 am at the Econolodge in Egg Harbor. Then we had our meeting outside the hotel since we did not get back to the hotel until late from the restaurant up the road.

Meeting in front of the hotel in the morning going over directions for today's ride.


We headed out early as it was predicted a storm would roll through this afternoon. The weather was much cooler today as it was only 85 and less humid. We backtracked 8 miles to the main bike route at Mays Landing. Sean and I rode this stretch with Ed. About 10 miles later we went through Egg Harbor City. This was the last city with services until our destination for tonight.

Ed and Sean riding in the morning



We caught up with Lesa and John after Egg Harbor City


At about 25 miles into the ride a woman drove by in the opposite direction warning us that there is a lot of wind damage ahead and debris in the road.
As we passed through the area we saw many downed trees and a few buildings that were damaged.
Trees blown down last night


Wind damage to a structure



In the middle of today's ride there were a lot of forests. The lunch stop was about mile 45 near a ranger station. Most of us were hungry since we had ridden all morning.

Looking for cones placed by Blaine to designate our lunch stop



Lunch stop at the ranger station. Blaine had a fresh supply of food


After lunch we had about 20 more miles to Cookstown where we are staying at the Comfort Inn.
We got here around 1 pm but Blaine was still with bikers at the lunch stop. Sean, Lesa, John and I walked to 7/11 and got cold drinks.

While waiting for Blaine I called my friend in Calif to wish him a happy birthday. Later in the day it started raining.

Sean and I walked to an Italian pizza place for dinner. We saw a number of soldiers eating there.

Some quiet road about 15 miles before reaching the hotel


Since we got to the hotel in the early afternoon we had time to clean and lube the bike chains and wash clothes.