From Norfolk, VA

So far, so good.  I've successfully navigated through NYC, NJ, and down the Delmarva (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia) peninsula with about  400 miles of pedaling, 3 ferry rides (Bridgeport to Port Jefferson, Manhattan to Belford, NJ, Cape May to Lewes, DE) and one Virginia DOT ride over the Chesapeake Bay bridge tunnel.

Heading to Lewes on the Cape May ferry

With the exception of one day of heavy rain riding into NYC, weather has been cool, sunny, but windy.  The rough roads and heavy rain in NYC were a good test for my lightweight touring set up, DIY duct tape fenders, homemade rainproof shoe covers and mitts.  All performed with great success, except for the mitts.  I should have used all silnylon as I did with the shoe covers, but decided to use some old Gore Tex that did not keep the water out.  The bike stood up to the pounding of NYC roads.  One flat tire in northern NJ due to a staple.

I think that will be my last bike ride into NYC from Long Island.  The roads are in horrible condition and not much room for bikes once you get into western long island.  New Jersey riding was a little disappointing, but largely because of my route choice I think.  I spent a lot of time on busy route 9 as the shoreline route not continuous due to a bridge closure and because of Warmshowers host locations.  Next time I think I will stay inland to avoid all the coastal hustle and bustle.  

Riding got much better south of Lewes and into Maryland.  Nice country roads flat as a pancake with the putrid smell of chicken shit.  It is the land of Perdue.  I learned it takes 43 days from hatching to harvest for a chicken broiler.  The roads bottleneck into route 13 in Virginia.  High speed traffic, mostly a big shoulder, which disappears in several near ghost towns, making for a couple intense sections.

I had a good visit with friends in New Haven, family in Long Island and have had a bed to sleep in every other night thanks to kind Warmshowers hosts (Toby and Dan in Belford, NJ, Tom in New Gretna, NJ KG in Lewes, DE Tom in Stockton, MD, and Katie here in Norfolk, VA). 

Rob in New Haven.

Aunt Selma leaves a chocolate on your pillow!

Toby and Dan in Belford, NJ.

Tom from New Gretna, NJ.

Tom, Scooby, and Benjamin in Stockton, MD

Katie and Rich taking me out for beers in Norfolk at O'Connors

Doumars: inventors of the waffle cone

Since I'm in a bit of a hurry I didn't stop to explore Assateague or Chincoteague, so I'll have to come back.  I'd also like to ride the Outer Banks, but will head inland now toward Raleigh and then on to Georgia.  Gotta get hiking!