|
|
 |
Next Page |
Day 1 - 8 Coast To Coast 1999 by Eric K. Andersen (click on images to see larger pictures)
This theme would be repeated throughout my journey across the United States.
Towns, especially small insignificant places, would try to identify themselves
by making special claims. Hoboken was proud of it’s connection to the
legendary crooner even though he rarely returned to the town after he left
it. There is a marker on the sidewalk in front of where the building stood
that was his birthplace and a restaurant across from where I live is a shrine
to his life, pumping "Night and Day" onto the sidewalk daily.
At around 1pm, I met a friend to take some pictures 
at
the new Frank Sinatra Park on Sinatra Drive on the Hudson River across from
Midtown Manhattan. There is spot where the park meets the river and I put
the rear wheel of the bike in the water hoping to repeat the tradition by
putting the front wheel in the Pacific upon completion of my trip.
From "My Kind Of Town" it was a short
30 mile ride to my parents house in the suburbs on a beautiful, cool Spring
day. The most difficult part of the trip was figuring out a route to get
there. I found a road that went through Jersey City, Kearny and Belleville
in order to bypass the urban sprawl of Newark and The Oranges. At one point
a truck came very close to me as it passed by. A mile later, I stopped to
allow a truck to enter the road, hoping to appease the truck Gods for my
journey. I bicycled through Bloomfield and Verona and then headed to New
Providence making it there easily for a farewell dinner out with the family.
Total Miles: 30
along
with his phone number. I stopped at the general store in Sargeantsville
that welcomes bicyclists since it is located along a popular biking route.
The store was established in 1857 and is run by a Chinese couple. They offer
sandwiches as well as Chinese food and they have a large selection of energy
snacks as well.
The spirited owner will provide tools and air pump if you need them too.
I talked to several bikers while I rested and picked up a sandwich for dinner.
This was the first time I was to tell other cyclists about my journey which
at the time seemed like a daunting undertaking. I pedaled through the last
covered bridge in New Jersey on my way down to the Delaware river and my
first campsite at Bull's
Island. A friend knew a ranger there and when I asked for her she was
out on a call so I paid for a site from a grumpy old man working there.
I picked a site on the river, set up my tent, ate and went to bed as the
sun was going down. Total Miles: 60
I
took a side road that climbed the steep slope up from the river. I had my
rain gear on over my bike clothes and by the time I pushed my load up the
steep grade I was covered with sweat. I took off a wet layer and rode on
into the rain. The rain was never consistent, sometimes drizzling, sometimes
pouring and sometimes clearing, but it was a dank day all the way to Phoenixville
where I stopped for lunch. At the fast-food restaurant I noticed a man praying
before his meal. I thought that was really nice until he licked the side
of his hand as if preparing to drink a shot of tequila. That night I stayed
at my cousin's in Downingtown.
They prepared a feast and we had a great meal. Total
Miles: 64
a
man getting his mail noticed me. He held up the Adventure
Cycling magazine he just received and asked if I was touring. What a
coincidence. I told him of my trip and he asked me if I needed anything.
I said sure and he invited me into his kitchen for some cold water. He had
once set out to cross the country by bicycle but gave up in Ohio since the
weather had been harsh. He planned to try it again and we had a great conversation
about cycling and life. He gave me directions to a Rails-to-trails
that would lead me to the campground. This would also take me off the roads
and the riding would be level and easy. I thanked him and headed on, stopping
in town for dinner before going to the campground. I found the North
Central Railroad Rails-to-trials and crossed the Mason-Dixon line into
Maryland. A few miles later I found the campground and settled in for the
night. I had gone 78 miles, the most I had ever ridden by bicycle let alone
towing 40 lbs. of gear in a trailer. Total
Miles: 78
Day
7 Columbia, MD I ordered a great room service
breakfast before starting the day’s ride. I figured I deserved it and
hey, I'm on vacation. I made a wrong turn trying to get out of the residential
hell of Columbia and ended up making a small loop. 
This
added three miles to the day. Fortunately the road was mostly downhill to
Rockeville where I stopped for lunch. I picked up the C
& O Rails-to-trails near Great Falls. I rode along the Potomac for
about 15 miles through a light mist and swarms of gnats. The trailer bounced
along nicely behind me. I was expecting the path to meet a paved road, but
instead it was gravel. I rode for another 5 miles past sod farms before
suddenly coming upon Lee’s Ferry which I took to cross the river into
Virginia. I made it to my brother’s house for dinner. I had gone over
70 miles again and it felt good. Total Miles:
72|
|
Top | Next Page |
|