Tag Archives: canal trail

Odd Sunday Sundae Rides

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I want to extend an invitation to our Delaware Valley Trike Riders’ Club members and our other cycling friends and family to join an informal and nearly bi-weekly cardio-training* ride, beginning Sunday, August 9, 2015, from Lambertville, NJ to Frenchtown, NJ and back. On odd-dated Sundays I’m moving my training ride to this location. Making use of both the D&R trail and Rte. 29, the total route is about 30 miles long, moving at a baseline pace between 11 and 13 MPH (on the gravel surface**), the ride is often punctuated with higher-speed sprints throughout. Speeds on the highway will be somewhat faster. During August, this ride begins at 8:00 AM.

*Note: This is not a leisurely ride. This ride is meant to produce a cardio challenge resulting in increased heart rate, lots of sweat and overall fatigue while increasing strength and stamina.
**Note: Riding on gravel requires about 20% more energy than riding on a smoothly paved surface.

Warning: Consultation with your trusted physician should be seriously considered before attempting this strenuous exercise activity.

I will be taking a brief rest break in Frenchtown, snacking at Maria’s Cafe, before returning.

This will be a regularly scheduled ride that I hope you can participate in. The only times that this ride will be canceled will be when the date conflicts with one of our monthly club rides or if the weather is bad.

Registration is not necessary but it is encouraged. If I know you are coming and you are running a few minutes late, I’ll wait.

Start Location Details:
Parking is available in a small lot located on River Road, a couple hundred feet south from the Rte. 202 exit for Rte. 29, for “Lambertville & Stockton.” This is the first exit when crossing the Delaware River from PA into NJ, the last exit in NJ before crossing into PA.
Geo Location: 40.380023, -74.951699

I look forward to riding with with you.
Wayne K

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Stockton – Frenchtown “Do Over” Club Ride

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This post was edited on 6/18/2015 to correct the name of the trail. We will be riding the D&R trail in New Jersey to Frenchtown, not the D&L trail in Pennsylvania. 

I would like to invite you to join our Delaware Valley Trike Riders’ Club “Do Over” ride on Saturday, June 20, 2015 (starting 9:30 AM sharp). There were a few disappointed members who missed our first ride this season and a few new members requesting a Saturday ride, so this will be our second-chance “Do Over” ride. Starting in Stockton, NJ (at the Prallsville Mills/Stockton Visitor’s Center) we will cycle north along the D&R (mistakenly referred to as “D&L” when originally posted) Canal trail to Frenchtown, NJ, returning via Rte. 29. While in Frenchtown, we will take a brief break at Marie’s Cafe (snack, restroom, stretch) before returning.

Please Register your intent to ride via email or phone or a comment to this post (please include your phone number, it will remain protected), by 8:00 AM, Friday, June 19, 2015. This is a fair-weather event and trail conditions may be affected by heavy rain within 24 hours prior to ride. Please include your phone number with your registration – if Ride Is Canceled, I will call you, or text you if you prefer, between 6:00 and 6:30 AM on the day of the ride (sooner if conditions are clearly dreadful).

Key Points:
Arrive early – After a brief introduction the Ride Starts at 09:30 AM sharp, Saturday, June 20, 2015. This is a 24 mile round trip, and is mostly flat. Average speed: 10 mph (faster speeds when on highway return leg). Mixed trail surfaces: bike-friendly highway, paved trail, hard-pack gravel, hard-pack dirt with spotty grass. Mostly shaded and tree-lined closely following the Delaware River. No one left behind and we will stop for breakdowns. There are several opportunities for breakaway sprints. Several restroom opportunities are available along the trail.

Please familiarize yourself with Preparation Guidelines and Rules for Club Rides.
Trip Sheet, and Map are available (but you likely won’t need it for this ride).

Cautionary Note:
This is a summer season ride so please prepare for yourself accordingly: adequate hydration, snack/power bars and protection from sun.

Geo-Coordinates:
Prallsville Mills/Stockton NJ Visitor’s Center: (40.409095, -74.984901)
Frenchtown NJ: (40.526301, -75.063015)

I look forward to riding with you!
Wayne K

Re-cap: Memorial Day Ride 2015

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The Delaware Valley Trike Riders’ Club was joined by our friends, members of the MARS (Metropolitan Area Recumbent Society) recumbent riders’ club, on a beautiful Memorial Day morning ride (May 25). Setting out from Morrisville, we followed the D & L towpath to the cemetery at Washington Crossing Park where about 60 soldiers of the Continental Line were interred.

DVTRC and MARS members at the Washington Crossing Cemetery.

DVTRC and MARS members at the Washington Crossing Cemetery.

After paying our respects, we regrouped and headed south, stopping in Yardley for a quick bagel brunch and some shared laughs before returning to Morrisville to say our goodbye’s.

During this ride along the mostly shaded canal we passed dozens of geese with down-covered young goslings, several blue heron, and several species of turtles, red bellied (threatened), bog (endangered), snapping and box turtles.

Upcoming rides will continue to be announced and we hope that you can join us.
Remember, if you would like to lead a ride, or suggest a future ride, please feel free to do so.

I look forward to riding with you soon!
Wayne K

Moment of Remembrance & Appreciation Ride

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I would like to invite you to join the Delaware Valley Trike Riders on a Memorial Day round-trip ride from Morrisville to Washington Crossing Park’s Cemetery for Soldiers of the Revolution (Monday, May 25, 2015, 9:30 AM start).

Tucked away along the banks of the Delaware River is a very small, but special cemetery where an unknown number of Continental soldiers are buried. These men, all of them unknown except for one, didn’t die in battle, but their contributions and sacrifices while encamped a few miles north of Trenton, enabled the Continental Army to wage a uniquely decisive attack on British and Hessian troops marking the turning point of the American Revolution.

Cemetery for Fallen Soldiers at Washington Crossing Park

Cemetery for Fallen Soldiers at Washington Crossing Park

The conditions these soldiers faced, including the deprivation of food, equipment and clothing necessary to survive an extremely harsh winter, hastened their deaths from exposure, disease and injuries incurred during previous battles. Most of these men hadn’t been paid in months (increasing hardships for their families at home) yet still they reenlisted for this winter campaign because they understood that the value of life and liberty could only be realized if they could drive the rule of an oppressive and invasive government from their lands.

Details:
Please register, with your phone number, for this ride no later than 8:00 PM Sat., May 23, via Text Msg, Phone, email or reply to this post. Ride will be canceled, by phone and/or text, Sunday morning if rain is heavy or sustained.

All cyclists welcome!

• 9:30 AM Depart from Williamson Park, Morrisville PA, 19067 (at the flagpole in parking lot, geo coord: 40.213184, -74.775204).
• Ride North along D&L Canal Trail in Pennsylvania to the cemetery.
• Dismount for a silent moment of remembrance and appreciation.
• Return ride South along the D&L to Yardley, PA for a Bagel Brunch at the Bagel Train (honestly, you haven’t had a bagel until you’ve had a Bagel Train bagel!).
• Return ride South along D&L to Williamson Park in Morrisville, PA.

• 24-mile round trip, leisurely 10-mph pace with occasional sprints, mostly flat. None will be left behind.

I look forward to riding with you!
Wayne K

Re-cap “Trikers’ Choice” Ride

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The Delaware Valley Trike Riders’ held their first ride of 2015, on a beautiful Saturday morning (May 2). It was a small group that set out from Stockton to Frenchtown, NJ and back. In addition to enjoying the beautiful springtime vistas including the clear running waters of the Delaware River and the towering natural stone pillar of Devil’s Peak, we shared plenty of warm sunshine and warm conversation as we pedaled along the tree-lined D&R Trail.

Delaware Valley Trike Riders at the end of the "Trikers' Choice" Ride.

Delaware Valley Trike Riders at the end of the “Trikers’ Choice” Ride, outside the site of the Prallsville Mills,  Stockton, NJ.

Upcoming rides will continue to be announced and we hope that you can join us.
Remember, if you would like to lead a ride, or suggest a future ride, please feel free to do so.

I look forward to riding with you!
Wayne K

Triker’s Choice Club Ride (24 up to 45 mile loops)

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As a ride leader I wanted to start our Delaware Valley Trike Riders’ Club 2015 season by offering to lead a ride that can accommodate most everyone’s early-season riding abilities. This ride offers some challenges by making use of several trail and road surface conditions and also offers some wonderful views of the Delaware River as we trike through several historic landmarks and towns… and this is what I’ve come up with for
May 2, 2015:

One Ride with Short and Long Options: (“A” Loop, 24 miles) Prallsville Mills to Frenchtown, returning to Prallsville Mills, then (“B” Loop, up to an additional 21 miles) from Prallsville Mills to Washington Crossing, returning to Prallsville Mills. See the “Trikers’ Choice Ride” trip sheet.

Riders are invited to join us for the “A” Loop only, or the “A” and “B” Loops together.

Please Register your intent to ride via email or phone or a comment to this post (please include your phone number, it will remain protected), by 8:00 AM, Friday, May 1, 2015. This is a fair-weather event and trail conditions may be affected by heavy rain within 24 hours prior to ride. Please include your phone number with your registration – I will call you, or text you if you prefer, if Ride Is Canceled, between 6:00 and 6:30 AM on the day of the ride.

Key Points:
Arrive early – Ride Starts at 08:30 AM, Saturday, May 2, 2015. This is a 24 mile round trip or 45 mile round trip – your choice! Mostly Flat. Average speed: 9-11 mph (faster when on highway). Mixed trail surfaces: highway, paved trail, hard-pack gravel, hard-pack dirt with spotty grass. Mostly shaded and tree-lined. No one left behind and we will stop for breakdowns. There are several opportunities for breakaway sprints.

Please familiarize yourself with Preparation Guidelines and Rules for Club Rides.

Description:
We will begin our “A-Loop” rally at the Prallsville Mills/Stockton Visitors Center, following the D&R Canal Feeder Trail North (trailhead located at the same location) to Frenchtown, NJ., where we will take a short < 20 minute break for a stretch and refreshments. The return trip will be via Rte 29 South. When we return to Stockton, the “A-Loop” (24 mile) riders will drop off and the “B-Loop”** (45 mile) riders will continue on to Washington Crossing, via the D&R Trail, where we will turn around for our northbound return trip, on the Canal Trail again, to Stockton.

**Note: The “B-Loop” can be shortened by turning around at either Lambertville (by 13.8 mi.), or the Golden Nugget (by 10.8 mi.). I’ll assess everyone’s interest (and stamina) prior to the start of the “B-Loop”.

This ride boasts of More Restroom Opportunities than on any other trail!
There are Eight (8) Restroom opportunities: Washington Crossing, Golden Nugget Flea Market, Lambertville, Prallsville Mills/Stockton Visitors Center, Bull’s Island, Kingwood Park and Frenchtown. We probably won’t stop at each one but brief photo opportunities can be arranged. 🙂

Hazards:
• Trikes must be walked or carried for approximately 100 yards along a section of narrow boardwalk located about 0.9 miles north of Lambertville NJ (this affects only the “B-Loop”/45-mile riders… Of Course! We’ll help each other.
• Rte 29 is a busy highway with a posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour. The highway shoulders are intermittently wide and narrow. This highway sees a lot of bicycle traffic on weekends so most local drivers expect to see bikes sharing the highway.
• Please see the Trip Sheet “Trikers’ Choice Ride” for other notes and hazards.

Triking time (estimated):
“A” NB leg 1 (Stockton to Frenchtown): 1.25 hr                         : 08:30 – 09:45
Turnaround/Rest: < 20 min                                                        : 09:45 – 09:55
“A” SB leg 1 (Frenchtown to Stockton): 1.25 hr                         : 09:55 – 11:20
Quick Break/Rest: < 10 min
SB leg 2 (Stockton to Washington Crossing): 1.00 hr                 : 11:30 – 12:30
NB leg 2 (Washington Crossing to Stockton): 1.00 hr                 : 12:30 – 13:30
Total Ride Time: 2.5 hrs or 4.5 hrs.

Geo-Coordinates:
Prallsville Mills/Stockton NJ Visitor’s Center: 40.409095, -74.984901
Frenchtown NJ: (40.526301, -75.063015)
Washington Crossing NJ (40.296722, -74.867392)

I look forward to riding with you!
Wayne K