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.

Lewes. DE to Egg Harbor.NJ

July 24
60 miles

We had a wonderful breakfast at the Virden Center at 7 am. Before leaving Ken adjusted the stem on Sean's bike. At 8a.m. we rode to the ferry terminal. Boarding was at 9.

The trip on the ferry took about 80 minutes from Lewes to a port in NJ.

Ken working on Sean's bike. Ken had suggested to lower the stem on Sean's bike



Gathering outside the Virdon Center


Ready to leave


Lining up to board the ferry



Parking our bikes on the ferry before the cars are loaded



We left the ferry at about 11 am on the NJ side. This meant we were getting a late start. Once navigating out of the ferry area we started riding on the Cape May High Point Bike Route. The first main road was very busy. We hit the first town at about 12 pm. at a coffee place. Sean and I were riding with Kim, Karen, Ziva and Susan.


Nearing the New Jersey sign

A long stretch in southern New Jersey


Once we got to Mays Landing everyone stopped at the McDonald's for a cold drink. Both Kim and Ed had flats.

Nearing Mays Landing



Bikes parked outside McDonald's



Since there was no lodging near the trail Nancy booked rooms at Egg Harbor Township (8 miles to the east). We got there around 4 pm. and everyone was tired. Just after Sean and I got to
our room it started raining. The rain lasted about 1 hour.
Bike trail to Egg Harbor Township


Others arrived later. At about 7 we walked about 1/4 mile to dinner. Nancy and Ken treated us to dinner at an Italian restaurant called "A Taste of Italy". Great food. However, we didn't leave the restaurant until around 9:30 pm.

We didn't hit the sack until 10 pm which is late. I think everyone was exhausted. This day seemed like a very long day.

Lewes, DE

July 23 Rest Day
6 miles

Today was a planned rest day on the shore of Delaware. This will be our second day in Lewes.

We were provided breakfast at the Virdon Center at 8 am. Everyone stayed about an hour and a lot of us decided to ride to the state park to swim in the Atlantic Ocean.


Breakfast at the Virdon Center

Around 10 am we gathered outside our rooms to ride to the beach. Once we got near the park we rode on some nice bike trails.

We spent two hours in the water. It was very refreshing. The water was about 70 degrees. Fortunately the air temp. was about 5 degrees cooler today than yesterday. Humidity is still high however.


Getting ready to ride to the beach


Bike trail to the beach


Sean and Ed going for a swim in the Atlantic Ocean


We swan for about two hours. While Ed was swimming a large wave crashed into him and tore off his glasses. We couldn't find them.

Ed, Sean and I rode back into town around 1 pm had lunch at a very nice Mexican restaurant.

At 6 pm we were provided a great dinner at the Center. Fish and lots of salads.


Sean and Ed walking back to the bikes


Riding to lunch in Lewes, De


Ed giving a toast at lunch minus his glasses


Then we rode back to the Virdon Center to do laundry and have dinner at 6 pm.

Tomorrow we will take the ferry to NJ at 7 am. and ride 50 miles to Egg Harbor.

Denton, Md to Lewes, De

July 22
63 Miles


Blistering hot weather was predicted for today.   We woke up at 5:30 a.m. and started riding at 6:30 a.m. . It was so humid even at this early hour. Windows in the hotel lobby were covered with condensation from the steam.

Leaving Denton





The route was generally through rural areas of eastern Md and De. It felt a little cooler riding than standing still.  When we crossed into Delaware we hit a dirt road for about one mile.  We have been following the America Discover Trail.  

Blaine found a great spot in a park for lunch.   After lunch Sean asked Ken if he could ride with him.  Sean kept up with Ken for 15 miles.

When we got to Lewes the temperature reached 103. 

Two of our group in the distance


John riding along the corn fields


Lesa and Sean



We had to ride through the center of Lewes near the shore and then turn a little west to the University of Delaware retreat center. It was about 2 miles out of two and this is where we will be staying for two nights.

Most of us were so hot we decided to ride to the beach.  We rode to the bay side of Lewes and quickly went for a swim. The water temp was around 70 degrees.   Next Sean and I went to a fancy sea food place for dinner.


Sean early in the ride


One section where we got some shade


John in the foreground with the group behind


Lunch stop

Annapolis, MD to Denton, MD

July 21
42 miles
Ken and Nancy suggested we wake up early today. To begin with we had to ride from Annapolis to the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge by 7:30 am. Since bikes were not allowed to ride the four miles over the bridge Nancy and Ken arranged for some men to drive us and our bikes across the bridge.

Leaving Annapolis in the morning John in front


Loading the bikes in the truck trailer


After we were dropped off on the other side of the bay we began riding on the Discovery Trail. Most of it was beautiful. The weather forecast was for very hot and humid temps. today but since we were riding pretty early it was too bad yet.

Riding on the Discovery Trail


Then we joined some Maryland county roads.



Lesa and Ed


A welcomed lunch stop


Then we hit a very sandy road after lunch called Peaviner Rd. It was too sandy to ride on and maintain balance without the tires sinking into the deep sand. Fortunately this road was only a mile long as it would have been hard pushing the bike far in the heat and humidity.

The sandy road Sean and John pushing their bikes


When we entered Denton Lesa, John, Sean and I stopped at a market and had cold drinks and ice cream. By this time it was very hot and humid.

We made it to the Best Western in Denton around 1 pm. Some went swimming in the hotel pool. Later Ed and I went over to the only business close by for a smoothie. John S. showed up and sat with us awhile.

Later the group walked over to a pizza place and had dinner.

Bowie, Md to Annapolis, Md

19 Miles

Even though we had a short riding day most of the group wanted to leave the Hampton Inn Bowie early before the heat rose to unbearable levels. Most of us left the hotel as a group and were riding pretty fast.

Eric who in his 70's was in the lead the whole ride. We were on a few trails but also some rural roads.

We got to the Lowes Hotel in Annapolis around 10:30 a.m. but couldn't check in until late afternoon. We got a conference room and Blaine set up lunch. Then Sean and I walked to the harbor and stopped in at Starbucks. We headed back to the hotel in very humid weather. Then Karen took Sean to see if they could go into the Maritime Museum. Ed and I walked to Starbucks and had a great conversation. We then got to check into our great rooms around 4.

For dinner everyone went to restaurants of their choice.

Leaving the Hampton Inn in Bowie






Ed ahead pointing out a hazard in the road


Ed and I with our Sonoma County Bike Jerseys


Eating lunch in Annapolis at the Lowes Hotel in a conference room