Summer Bike Road Trips - 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013: Sunday 19th August 2012 Williamsburg VA – MD – DE – NJ

Sunday 19^th August 2012 Williamsburg VA – MD – DE – NJ – NY - CT - RI 572 miles.

Today was bridges, tolls, and traffic jams day. For the latter, it was lucky the weather was overcast all day, so sitting in traffic was OK. It was definitely not a free-wheeling cruise control day. The wrists and feet got a good workout. So to expand the title, it was Williamsburg Virginia, to Maryland, to Delaware, to New Jersey, to New York (Manhattan) to Connecticut then West Greenwich Rhode Island. One aspect of the ride was that it was all at sea level. A change for this week. It was the weekend. The good news was that the construction sites were inactive. The bad news it was head for home time for weekenders, mostly it seemed from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. They must have had something on as they all drive at 15-20 mph above the posted limit.

So it was south to Norfolk, then across the Chesapeake Bridge/Tunnel complex to the peninsula. The last time I was in Norfolk was 1959, visiting when on H.M.S. Victorious. The bridge is something I have seen pictures of, and always wanted to cross it. Engineering wise it is quite a feat, architectural not so much. Concrete slabs riding on concrete pylons. It is bridge, tunnel, bridge, tunnel then bridge. One gets an eyeful of the Atlantic and all the cargo ships waiting for the tide to come into port.

One doesn’t realize the size and scope of the Chesapeake Bay area. Toll cost for the bridge is $12. It was then north on US13 for a few hundred miles. The south end is much like parts of Florida, maybe the Keys, plenty of boats and angling. The road passes through many small towns and communities, much like the Keys. Although interesting at first, the ride seemed to take awhile, mainly as although the road is four lanes, constant traffic lights, and speed reductions made it seem long. Three States lay claim to the land, even though Maryland is a small strip in the middle. I wonder what the tax implications are as to which part you live in. More than a few businesses were shuttered en route, even gas stations. Eventually you pop out at the top, and I headed for I95, crossing the Delaware River on the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Now that was impressive.

So it was on to the New Jersey Turnpike (I95) and heading north. I cannot remember how long it actually is, over 100 miles, but traffic was heavy, and slowed a few times because of massive road works. It looked like new highways going in. Although there were slowdowns, it was nothing compared to southbound, traffic was backed up for miles. One point for the reader. If you travel the Turnpike, gas up before hand. The line ups for gas at the Service Areas are ridiculous because they have people pumping it, and they are not speedy. I hung on until the end, but had to get gas as I wasn’t sure where the end was. I waited 30 minutes in line. Unreal. The cost for the Turnpike was $13.75, end to end, and a long delay at the toll..

Next up was the George Washington Bridge into Manhattan. Toll cost $12. I kept asking for Senior rates, nothing doing. Again a long delay at the toll.

So it was onwards heading north past Yonkers, still on I95. Traffic was still very heavy, and continued into Connecticut. Thankfully tolls finished, as I was thinking of getting a line of credit. Total cost for the day was close to $50.

Traffic continued to slowdown at times, but once well into Connecticut, thinned out and I actually could use cruise control at times to ease the wrists. Southbound was really bad, many times there were huge backups, and a major accident at one point didn’t help.

I95 at times gives the rider a great view of the ocean and various bays. I did cross the Thames River at New London. Another great bridge is at New Haven over the Quinnipiac River.