343: Delaware Double Cross Preview

The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures

My fall 2023 adventure checks the box on one of my goals from the beginning of the year... I love crossing states by bike, and is it my fault that some of them are very, very skinny? Ok, fine I'll cross it TWICE to make it count! Previewing my next ride... the Delaware Double Cross!

Delaware Double Cross Preview

• 2023 goal... cross a new state by bike
• DELAWARE!
• First plan... the one I didn't choose ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
  • All transit and bike
  • MARC to the northern terminus in Perryville
  • Bus to Elkton
  • Ride across to Delaware City
  • Ride to Wilmington
  • Amtrak to DC
• Why didn't I choose this? Safety!
• Bike situation near Elkton was even dicier than the Florida sidewalk and shoulder riding I've done that is pretty marginal
• Google Street View revealed possible options, but the more I scratched at the surface, the worse it looked

• What I chose - the LaCrosse! and a simpler off-road option
  • Drive to Chesapeake City MD
  • Ride the Mike Castle Trail to Delware City along the Delaware and Chesapeake Canal to the Delaware River
  • AND BACK!
  • 30 miles of riding
  • Brompton
  • Very minimal gear (snacks and water)
  • Weather - could be hot, could be rainy... will dress as appropriate
  • Some cool towns to explore - all new to me!
  • No camping or overnighting... just a day tour that checks a box. Twice in fact!
  • Skinny state? #notcheating