(With apologies to the Boss)

Start: Philadelphia, PA 8:30 am

End: Point Pleasant, NJ 4:30 pm

Total miles: 74

After a challenging hour trying to figure out how to get to the other side of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge (there was construction, there were closures, there was traffic, there were stairs, and I really had to pee), all went according to plan today.

I owe such a debt of gratitude to Karen and Alan Crossley for sharing their notes from their trip to New York. It was so great to know what to expect. Lots of traffic but nice double wide shoulders for a bike to maintain the illusion of safety.

The final few miles involved going through small beach-side communities kind of reminiscent of parts of Cape Cod. All of a sudden, a maritime landscape just emerges from dated strip mall sprawl. And there it is! The Atlantic Ocean!

Found the only two stalls you really need on the boardwalk—fish and chips and ice cream and has a very cliched and appropriate post-ride treat.

This was the last full day of riding. Just about 30 miles to the ferry to Manhattan…