The Perkiomen Trail jumps onto my list of favorites

So much to see on the Perkiomen Trail – including a ski area and a moving bit of history.

So much eye candy for cyclists on the Perkiomem Trail.

There’s the Perkiomen Creek, which the trail follows from where it flows into the Schuylkill River just west of Valley Forge National Historic Park north to Green Lane Park in the tiny borough of Green Lane, Pennsylvania. Lots of criss-crossing the creek so you really don’t go far without having water in sight.

Continue reading “The Perkiomen Trail jumps onto my list of favorites”

The Chester Valley Trail has expanded — time to go exploring

A just-opened section of the Chester Valley Trail connects it to the Schuylkill River Trail. Time to try out the CVT.

Part of the newest section of the Chester Valley Trail.

Connecting two major trails is no small feat, and those 4+ miles that just opened on the Chester Valley Trail outside Philadelphia are proof. Start with building a bridge over the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) and its four lanes plus four slip lanes. And then two more new bridges and upgrades to yet two more. And a path along I-276 separated by a tall sound barrier that works.

You get the idea. It’s a congested area.

Continue reading “The Chester Valley Trail has expanded — time to go exploring”

Selfie spots, Lucy the Elephant and other sights on a bike ride along the Jersey Shore

Bike at the Jersey Shore during the off-season. Rentals are cheap, streets are empty.

Reminder to self: Bike at the Jersey Shore during the off-season.

Rentals close to the beach are cheap, streets are empty, though yes lots of businesses are closed. (Our group based itself in Avalon.) But boardwalks during Easter week were busy, especially when temperatures hit 80. That’s where we ended up in our search for ice cream.

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I biked the entire 17-mile Cape May County bike trail — here’s what it’s like

Just tell me where the ice cream is.

My first reaction as I biked along this inland trail in Cape May County was jealousy — jealous that this trail could be built along power lines (and even adjacent to two large substations!) while the power company in my town resists requests to extend our trail under the transmission lines, citing all kinds of fears (including involving the rather puny substation that’s also along a road).

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Blue sky, blue water — here’s what else I found along the D&R Canal

While I had no special destination in mind, it’s amazing what you discover when you’re just taking your time.

A gorgeous day — temps eventually topped 70, and it’s only the beginning of April! — called out for a bike ride. And while I had no special destination in mind, it’s amazing what you discover when you’re just taking your time.

Continue reading “Blue sky, blue water — here’s what else I found along the D&R Canal”

A bike ride to one of those 50 must-eat New Jersey dishes for 2023

This bakery makes a must-eat foodie list. So we biked there. Here’s what we ate.

Pistachio donuts on top, that chocolate hazelnut baklava below
The chocolate hazelnut baklava is on the bottom.

Spring is here, the sun is out — and I was prepared with a new destination for a bike ride!

I’ve been entertaining myself with some of these “best” foodie lists on NJ.com, and the Baklava Lady in Englishtown popped up on the list of the 50 New Jersey dishes you need to eat in 2023 — specifically the chocolate hazelnut baklava. It also made the list of around the world in 23 New Jersey bakeries (that baklava again plus the spinach and cheese borek got shout-outs). It’s all vegan, if that matters to you. Yeah, sorry about the paywall on those articles, but trust me on this. (Well, the burger on a bagel entry closer to home didn’t sound persuasive…)

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Schuylkill River Trail: A metric century from Philadelphia to Reading

The Schuylkill River Trail has had lots of upgrades since I biked from Conshohocken to Reading seven years ago. This time I started in Philadelphia. Here’s what I found.

Actually, make that two solid metric centuries — 62-plus miles each time — since we — my sister and I — biked back the next day.

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Arney’s Mount: another stunning Burlington County trail

Thiis 2.2-mile trail is a loop that has the highest point in Burlington County as its backdrop.

Yup, that’s Arney’s Mount.

The climbing starts as soon as you leave the parking lot and hit the Arney’s Mount Trail. Climbing is a relative term, though, because this is flat, flat Burlington County, and the highest point is … Arney’s Mount. It’s all of maybe 249 feet, and that’s standing on tip-toes.

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Explore Burlington County’s new Rancocas Creek Greenway

How cool would it be to have this bike trail behind your neighborhood?

Burlington County formally opened the 4-mile Rancocas Creek Greenway in September. This trail stretches from Amico Island where the Rancocas Creek meets the Delaware River into Riverside, then across a bridge spanning the Rancocas Creek and into Delanco, then along the creek and past an over-55 neighborhood to beautiful Pennington Park.

How cool would it be to have this trail behind your neighborhood?

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E-biking in Piedmont’s wine country around Alba

A 25-mile bike ride through Barolo in Piedmont, one of Italy’s great wine areas.

Yup, an e-bike. Why not?

The hills south of Alba, vines dripping with purple Nebbiolo grapes that will be turned into Barolo wine, are steep. Why make this day hard on ourselves?

Continue reading “E-biking in Piedmont’s wine country around Alba”
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