Hope you enjoy your visit.
You would think bicycling in South Jersey was easy, given that there
are few
hills. Of course, the real challenge is struggling with the traffic,
avoiding
broken glass, and watching out for the anti-cycling motorists. There's
also the
summer thunderstorms that seem to come up rather quickly. Hills can be
found west
of Philadelphia, from gentle rolling hills, to very challenging killers.
Living in Camden County as I do, I have found I must get to Burlington or Gloucester Counties before the ride becomes enjoyable. Much of southern Gloucester County is very nice for riding, with lightly traveled roads, and wide shoulders. Alternatively, one can head down the King's Highway into Salem. There, one is treated to a trip into the past, with rolling hills through old farmlands and colonial towns.
Heading to the west, Philadelphia can be reached either by the Ben Franklin Bridge, or by train. The train (PATCO) is a nice way to go, but you miss riding over the bridge. The Ben Franklin Bridge has a pedestrian and cyclist path, usually open by seven AM. Heading out the West River Drive, one reaches Manayunk, a cycling center. From there, the Manayunk to Valley Forge bike path, about eleven miles long, brings one to a hilly and heart-rate-increasing ride around Valley Forge National Monument. This includes what we affectionately call "THE HILL", a 1/2 mile ascent which is certain trouble for the untrained. Of course, the reward is getting back to Manayunk and enjoying the fare at a sidewalk cafe.
Here is a
link to New
Jersey cycling web pages you might find useful:
New
Jersey
Department of Transportation Includes a link to report potholes or
other problems
There have been accesses to this page.
Last updated 9/5/98.