aprhockey

Hey, this summer my brother and I as well as a few friends plan to bike from Montreal back home (D.C.). We're gonna be camping along the way and hopefully stay at some friends' places along the way if possible. I've done a couple shorter trips before so I know what kind of gear to bring. I think we would take it pretty easy and ride about 90-100 km per day.

I don't know what the best path would be. I think we will want to go through New York City and Philidelphia. Is it a bad idea to trust google maps with the new biking directions? We plan on taking La Route Verte to get to the border (either via Rouses Point or Richford). What should we expect at the border? Do we just go the same path as cars when crossing to the states?

Any ideas on good places worth going through, like good state parks? We're not into going to see monuments but it'd be cool to be able to see some nice views that we wouldn't normally get to see. Also, any areas to avoid, like steep mountain trails?

Sorry for the book. I'm excited. I want to have this pretty well planned (though we'll still be flexible).

Thanks in advance

djb

Rouses Point crossing is a little one-horse crossing. I crossed it this summer and it was pretty straight forward. To be honest when I crossed there were not ohter cars so I didnt have to deal with a line, but if there were cars, I would consider it ok form to ride along the line of cars--but perhaps you could ask it that policy is ok,

or not and just do it.

there is a ferry that goes from Lachine over to the south shore, but its summer only so you would have to inform yourself properly. This of course is to avoid a bridge. You can go over the Ice Bridge, the no car thing beside the Champlain bridge, and then get over to the south shore right beside the Victoria bridge.
Lets face it, Montreal isnt a great city to leave by bike, especially not that direction.

all the best with yoiur route planning.

aprhockey

I think to get out of Montreal, I'll just go on the bike path that goes past the casino/grand prix track and across to Saint-Lambert. I'll stay on La Route Verte 1 to Chambly then to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. The bike path then becomes La Route Verte 2, which goes past Saint-Valentin and to the border. Or if I go via Richford, I'd just be taking another leg of the Route Verte to get there.
Once I get into the states is where I'm a bit lost. I don't have any maps of any of the bike routes.

Bezalel

In New York State take Bike Route 9 from the border to New York City. Leaving New York City take the New York Spur of ACA's Atlantic Coast Tour This will meet up with the main route in Lambertville (near Philadelphia) which you can then take to Washington DC.

Leaving New York is a hassle because the only way to go by bike is with the George Washington Bridge. The other methods of leaving New York are by taking a PATH train to Newark or with a Ferry to Sandy Hook.

aprhockey

Thank you so much. I'll look into both of those sites. I didn't realize that New York had dedicated state routes.

djb

as for leaving Montreal, you seem to haave a good handle on it, that it in fact a very good way to get outta town (though, do make sure that you would not be leaving on a Grand Prix weekend (F1) as Ile Notre Dame and co. will have restricted access etc (you probably already know this but figured Id mention it)

as for the rest, all I can say is that I once biked down the west coast of hte states, and entering San Fran via the Golden Gate was so much more enjoyable, hassle free because I had a great guide that has you avoid bad routes to the bridge--in other words, its completely worth it to do the research/planning for in and out of cities, just from the pt of view of enjoying the experience more and not being on a horrible section of road inadvertently.

aprhockey

Yeah, I'm aware that the path is closed when the grand prix comes. Hopefully that won't be an issue. I really want this to be planned well. Don't want to be stuck going hundreds of kilometers on a boring or dangerous route. It shouldn't be too difficult though to find some pretty scenic routes for the majority of the trip. Also, I'm the only one out of the 5 of us that has done any touring before, so I want them to be happy and want to do it again. I'd hate to be the person to make someone say "I'm never biking again".

Bezalel: Is Bike Route 9 a dedicated bike path or is it mostly just roads with less traffic and paved shoulders? The maps don't seem to be of very great quality online, do you know if I would be able to buy better maps once I get into New York?

Thanks for all the info so far

Neil_B

If you want to go through the City of Brotherly Love, consider the East Coast Greenway route. ACA's Atlantic Coast Route passes north and west of the city.

Erick L

This is how I get out of Montreal: Google Map.

Bezalel

Bike Route 9 are just roads along the Route 9 corridor that were selected based on their suitability for bike riding. They may not be the best roads currently so check in the regional forums closer to your departure. I'm not sure where to get better maps from.

Edit: just found the following info.

Maps for these routes can be obtained with no charge from:
New York State Department of Transportation
Bicycle and Pedestrian Program
50 Wolf Road, 54
Albany, NY 12232
Phone: (518) 457-0922
Website: https://www.nysdot.gov/divisions/ope...-bureau/biking

nun

I did this a couple of yeas ago. I agree with taking Route Verte out of Montreal to Saint Jean Sur Richelieu and onto Saint Valentin, but at Notre Dame du Mont Carmel I'd take 202 over Lake Champlain to Noyes and then take 225 south to the border crossing. This will take you into Alburgh VT.

pardonme

Within the Adirondack State Park in New York you can wild camp on any of the state grounds. When you get to waterford (just north of Albany), there is a visitors center that will let you camp for free on the lawn by the marina. They even have showers in the visitors center.

Ken in NJ

From my own experience, I suggest entering the U.S. in Vermont and heading south on Route 100. The ridge lines run north-south, so you will not have unreasonable climbs. You can then enter New York state from southern Vermont to use the NYS bicycle routes.

I strongly recommend AGAINST cycling through New York City, unless perhaps you are passing through at 5 a.m. on a Sunday morning. The traffic is much worse, in my opinion, than in any other city in the northeast. I think that your cycling would be more enjoyable if you stayed west and cycled into New Jersey. You could then take a train into the city for a visit. (At a minimum, I hope that anyone on this board who disagrees with me will offer specific tips on bicycling in NYC; no one should enter New York on a bike unprepared.)

If your bicycles are suitable for off-road trails, then you could take the Delaware-Raritan Canal towpath from New Brunswick towards Trenton.

Alternatively, if you are passing through New Jersey further to the west, then Hunterdon County has many nice roads for bicycling.

You may want to consider cycling through western Monmouth County (southeast of Trenton) and eastern Burlington County (east of Route 206), in order to ride through the New Jersey Pinelands. This area is much less developed than other parts of the state. You could then head west into Philadelphia, or continue south to Cape May and take the ferry to Lewes, Delaware.

Phil_gretz

Good advice here. To get to Delaware, you have to use the Cape May Ferry. The Delaware Memorial Bridge is not open (officially) to bike traffic, and doesn't support pedestrian crossing.

For getting to Philadelphia from NJ, your only near crossing is the Walt Whitman bridge, which has a multi-use pedestrian/bike crossing. From what I understand (haven't checked them personally), the other bridges into the Philadelphia region are all closed to bike traffic.

Others who live closer by might comment. This is from my long ago experience and research from down here in Virginia.
Phil

Neil_B

I think it's the Ben Franklin, not the Walt Whitman, with the pedestrian walkway.

However, to avoid Camden, I suggest taking the PATCO high speed line from Cherry Hill to Philadelphia.

michaelb05

I'll comment on the one section I know well: the Vt border. The NY side and Rt 9 would be nice enough, but I think the Vt side is much nicer for biking. The roads are straighter, much less hilly along the lake, with sweeping and gorgeous views of the mountains all around. You would have very limited views of the adirondaks from the NY side of the lake.

While we cross at Alburg all the time, I would not be thrilled about you riding 202; it is a fast highway. so I think crossing at Rouses Pt (you will be fine on your bikes) and then riding Rt 2 across the bridge into Vt and then down the Lake Champlain Islands is the best way to go. North Hero is very nice; you could camp at Grand Isle State Park (book this in advance, although I think they may have sites for biking tourists). Catch the ferry over the cut in the causeway, and ride right into Burlington (you may be able to camp at North Beach in Burl still).

I am not sure where Ken is suggesting you pick up Rt 100 in Vt. There is no direct or easy way to do that north of Rt 2: VT is bisected by mountains and any across is going to involve climbing something or going out of your way. The mountains/hills continue into QC. Also, that is a long way to go to East along Rt 202 or something else. You could change your Route Verte plans and ride further East of Chambly to Sutton and cross there as an alternative option.

But without even looking at anything else on your route to know where you are going, I would be inclined to state west of the green mountains, and bike south in Vt as far you want in the valley between VT and NY. this area of Vt is pretty but "relatively" flat. Route 100 would be very nice, but has to be a much more challenging route.

raybo

There is a New Jersey biking route. You can get a printable map of it here.

I rode from Cape May to Wrightstown on it. It was a safe ride, though often on busy roads. I can recommend the ride through the Pine Barrens.

Ray

Ken in NJ

Route 100 could be accessed by taking Route 2 east from Burlington to Waterbury; it stays close to I-89 much of the way and is not too hilly. A possible alternative would be Route 108 south from Quebec to Jeffersonville, then east on Route 15 to Route 100, but it has been 28 years since I cycled that way (in the opposite direction, on a 12-speed bike), so I really don't remember the elevation changes. I have found Vermont east of the Green Mountains to be more interesting than the region west of the Green Mountains, so I think it is worth adding a few extra miles to get to Route 100, but that's just my opinion.

indyfabz

That is correct.

Another resource for the northen part:

https://www.champlainbikeways.org/index.htm

Did some riding in some of those areas in August. Quite nice.

Adventure Cycling's Atlantic Coast Route south of where Clinton's daughter recently got married (can't remember the name of the town) to the Philadelphia area is quite nice in many places. You can visit Roosevelt's crib and the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park, NY, cross the Hudson via the recently opened ped/bike path on the old RR bridge, cross the Schwangunk Mts., visit the highest point in New Jersey and ride through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. About 20 miles--between Frenchtown and Lamberville, NJ, offers a wooded bike path option that is easily ridden on 28c or wider tires. And, as norted, it continues on to the D.C. area, and you can get into Philly easily. In fact, you can get into the center of the city mostly via path/rec. trails.

Bezalel

I wouldn't reccomend crossing directly into Philadelphia. There are many crossings availible to the north in Bucks County.

aprhockey

Michaelb05: sounds like Vermont is much nicer to ride through. I said I was thinking of going across the border via Rouses Point or Richford. Sounds like Richford is the way to go. Other than the extra mileage I was wanting to do that anyway. Now I guess I need to decide how far into Vermont I want to go (west side or east side of the green mountains).

Ken: The route is still very very flexible. But we have friends in NYC, which is the reason we were thinking of going there. As far as I understand though, there are some dedicated bike paths that could take me through the most dense areas (I could very well be wrong).

Sounds like the Atlantic Coast Route is the best way to for the last leg of the trip once I get past New York.

About the border again, is there anything we should be ready for. Will it be a problem to bring camping gear, like gas canisters? Should we expect to be held up at the border for a while? When driving through, I usually make it past in under 30 minutes, but by train or bus, it has taken over 2 hours.

I'm not sure if this effects anything, but does it matter what dates we go (other than getting out of Montreal with the grand prix issue)? We will most likely either be going mid June or mid August. Both times will be warm enough to not have to worry about bringing any cold gear.

You guys have all been really helpful so far. There's a lot for me to think about.

djb

over 20 years ago I had a border guard make me unpack my panniers, not totally, but to see what sort of stuff i had, so I think its fair to say to expect it a bit. Obviously have everything in order, but I dont think being being anything but polite and cooperative will change how it goes, you know, its kind of luck of the draw most times.

btw, your mindset vis a vis your "first touring" friends is very good. I would highly recommend making sure that they have their bikes checked out well beforehand. Even if just going to a good bike store like ABC, getting the wheels/spoke tensions done properly, also and letting the mechanics know what you guys are doing a tour (I find they usually take an interest in trips etc) Making sure a bike is in great working condition is a big part of the "enjoyment" of a trip, especially for first timers.

michaelb05

There are lots of border crossings between Rouses Point and Richford. I am not sure I have done them all. None will be a problem and if you cross at a little station like Alburg, there maybe no cars at all on either side when you arrive. Even Rouses Pt and Richford should only have a few cars and modest traffic. So no meaningful wait at all, you will enjoy the break. You obviously need a passport or enhanced licenses. They will ask you about what you are bringing, etc.

Richford is a good option, but if you are thinking that, then turn left in Chamby onto the La Monteregiade route in QC to Farnham then Cowansville, then ride over to Sutton, then 243 south to the border. You have choice below Sutton, you could take the Massifs Tour and take Ch Scenic to Highwater on the QC side, then cross at N. Troy. This puts you on the otherside of the VT mountains, and avoids crossing in VT. Scenic is a decent hill climb. Or you can cross at Richford into the US, follow the bike path to 108, then 108 to Jeffersonville, rt 15 to Johnson, and pick up Rt 100 there. This goes through the lamoille valley and skips climbing any major pass.

However, those routes skip the Lake Champlain Islands and Burlington, and I think those are well worth doing. So cross at Rouses Pt or Alburg, and head through the islands to Burl. From Burl, Rt 2 can take you to Rt 100, or you can stay west in that valley, or you can cross a pass somewhere in VT.

Enjoy.

Speedo

The Champlain Bikeways route down the west side of Lake Champlain shadows Bike Route 9, but takes some more scenic roads. It's pretty nice. You can get a map from the Champlain Bikeways site, or free from any of the Vermont Tourism places along the highway.

(edit) We did the norther part of the Champlain Bikeway this summer. North through Rouse's point and south through Alburg. Very little traffic at either. We just got in line with the cars. Touring cyclists didn't faze them at all.(/edit)

Speedo

pardonme

Is anyone else able to open the map at that site? I always get web page not found.