Washington, DC to New York City

Introduction: Washington, D.C. to NYC

The Climate Ride GAP/C&O Canal was a good trip for Nancy and I to share, but it was short on adventure for my taste, not to mention hills. Fortunately there are always more hills to climb, and here I was on the Eastern seaboard, not far from my original stomping grounds in Jersey. The ride

A two-way bike path meanders through a grassy area, entering a wooded area up ahead. To the right is seen a small river.

Day 1 (plus prelude): Alexandria to DC to Baltimore

After a prelude ride from Alexandria to the Union Station area of D.C., I continued along the Anacostia River towards College Park and Baltimore, where I met up with Nancy and her friend Kevin who we'd be staying with.

In the late afternoon, a rural road stretches away into the distance, climbing a small hill as it ducks behind a grove of trees on the right. On the left side of the road is a cornfield, yellow with ripe stalks. The right side is a white picket fence. The clouds directly above are white and fluffy, but the vanishing point of the road is under a dark cloud.

Day 2: Baltimore to Codorus State Park

After a tourist day in Baltimore, it was time to get the adventure really started. The plan was to ride north across the Pennsylvania border, headed for the campground at Codorus State Park, where'd camp for the night. My bikepacking setup was a light as I've ever ridden with; I hadn't brought a tent, only a bug bivvy and tarp. It wouldn't be cold, but the forecast showed threats of rain and thunderstorms. I hadn't tried this gear in rainy conditions; I'd have to see how it went.

A gravel pathway parallels a railroad line. The railroad has some plants growing between the ties, suggesting it is lightly used. In the distance, the pathway goes under an arch of trees; a red building is seen past the trees.

Day 3: Codorus State Park to Lancaster

I had a shorter day on tap; after a beautiful breakfast on the lake, I had time for some disc golf, before heading out on a mix of rural roads, rail-trails, and then increasingly busy suburban arterials.

A rural road goes up a small hill between corn fields. Grain silos and a farmhouse are seen on the right side. Coming down the hill are three road cyclists in lycra. The sky is light grey with unsettled clouds.

Day 4: Lancaster to Valley Forge

I was feeling grody after primitive camping, and my clothes would soon be all dirty, so I was thinking of a hotel tonight. Routing to Phoenixville, near Valley Forge, would make the riding work better; the campground I'd been targeting was about 20km out of the way. As I got closer to Philly, there were fewer routes to choose from, and busier roads.

A smiling man in a bicycle helmet holds out the camera ahead of him for a selfie. The road behind curves through a bright forest, quiet and dotted with fallen leaves.

Day 5: Valley Forge to Cherry Hill

I was on the north side of the Schuylkill River, which is where Adventure Cycling's route would take me from Phoenixville, along the Schuylkill River Trail. But it felt more appropriate to head south of the river to check out the Valley Forge National Historical Site, a spot I had visited numerous times on school and family trips as a kid. It turned out to be some of the best riding of the trip.

A sandy road curves through a mixed pine and deciduous forest. Old telephone poles line the left side of the road.

Day 6+7: Cherry Hill to Point Pleasant

After a "rest" day at my sister's (including 55km out and back to my mom's place), I headed across the Pine Barrens to the Jersey Shore. I had canoed in the Pine Barrens when I was a kid, but hadn't visited since then.

A picture shot through the window of a ferry. A Marinoni bicycle with touring luggage is leaning against a railing at the front of the boat. The skyline of New York City is seen in the background, with the Empire State Building in the middle

Day 8: Point Pleasant to Jersey City via Manhattan

Today's plan was to get to Highlands, the northernmost point of the Jersey Shore, in time to catch the ferry to Manhattan at noon. Seemed like a good idea when I drew up the map, but on this particularly day I had to ride into a stiff and persistent headwind, 20 knots or more.

A map of a bike tour route from Washington, DC to New York City, through Baltimore, York, and Philadelphia.

Washington, DC to New York: Conclusion

I was glad to have some adventure to tack onto the end of the rather cushy GAP/C&O Canal trip. The mix of lodging types (friends and family, Warmshowers, traditional hotel, and primitive camping) provided some variety to the days and nights. Riding in similar terrain for hours on end just doesn't isn't the experience I seek when bike touring. There are times when a rail trail provides an important link in an area where there aren't good alternatives, but I'll always want to string together some mountain climbs and rural roads, with an occasional rail corridor, rather than the other way around.