Tag: Princeton

Trail dust

On Sunday, a group of us headed north from Princeton on the D&R Canal towpath.

ecg nj signI haven’t ridden north on the D&R Canal towpath from Princeton in a long time. So on Sunday a group of us headed out that way.

The D&R Canal towpath is part of the East Coast Greenway, and the trail was busy — maybe busier than I’ve ever seen it. We had plenty of shade, and having the canal right there made it even more pleasant. Loved the turtles lined up on a log — the same family as some Week-A-Year riders spotted three years ago?

But unlike some of those Connecticut trails from last week, this trail isn’t paved. It’s also not quite as smooth as the Hop River Trail and Airline South, so it’s not something I would want to do on a road bike.

And the closer we got to East Millstone, the more we encountered a dusty red surface. Everything got caked. This is what my bike looked like before I washed it:

dusty bike

And

dusty bike 2

My panniers also were in need of a wash, and my once-white sneakers now have an orange-brown tint. Oh well.

We also rode over a bridge repaired (replanked?) by some East Coast Greenway volunteers earlier this month. Thank you, guys! Though as a friend pointed out to me, a “path closed’ sign at the point where you had a detour option would have been a nice touch.

ecg nj trail repair

Total miles on the trail: 30

Total miles for the day: 39

Black, orange and 67 miles

My Memorial Day weekend tally: 3 bike rides, 67 miles, lots of black and orange.

Memorial Day weekend training tally: out on the bike all three days, for a total of 67 miles. Though to be honest, all of that only equals the longest day on the Maine ride. Time to pick up the pace.

The big ride was Sunday — 31 miles with hills through Princeton and Hopewell and back. Memorial Day weekend traditionally is reunion weekend for Princeton University, when alums come back wearing the most garish black and orange print their class can find (once they hit the 25-year mark) or at least their class jackets. One year we hit the P-rade, when each class marches (we stood near the gathering point for the class meeting for their 20th reunion, dressed as P-rates of the Caribbean). Saturday night we caught glimpses of a heavily black-and-orange fireworks show. And on Sunday, we biked by homes of some proud alums. Here are a couple of examples:

princetonx3

This one had two banners — the one for the Class of 1932 is obscured by the tree leaves. The brunch with some easy-listening jazz was being set up in the garden as we went by:

princetonx2

And this driver takes his Princeton connection very seriously. Can you spot the tiger’s tale?

princeton car

On Saturday, I combined my bike ride with a small errand: The garden needed some basil. Glad I could fit it into my little rear bag. It arrived home unscathed.

bike and basil

 

Join me for this family-friendly ride

June 4 is National Trails Day and given that the East Coast Greenway is all about connecting trails (and quiet roads) into one 3,000-mile route … of course I want to mark the day with a ride on a trail!

towpath and flagJune 4 is National Trails Day and given that the East Coast Greenway is all about connecting trails (and quiet roads) into one 3,000-mile route … of course I want to mark the day with a ride on a trail!

So I’m organizing this free family-friendly bike ride to promote the East Coast Greenway. We’ll ride a total of eight miles on the D&R Canal towpath in New Jersey. If you’re a hardy cyclist, it’s a great way to get friends and/or family out on a bike. And if you’re not a big cyclist, this is your chance to ride with me (and maybe 48 other people).

All you need to do is claim your spot here.

Bonus: The halfway point is Brearley House in Lawrenceville, and a representation from the Lawrence Historical Society will give us a short talk on the history of the house. Wonder if Washington slept here…