Bikes and more Delaware Beaches...

Easy riding

My trip is winding down as the days are getting shorter. I have been loving the area. This is usually the sad part about autumn, but experiencing life on the Delmarva Peninsula in October where summertime keeps on going has been magical. Temps in the 70s-80s, leaves still green and weather mainly glorious. Driving around at least some of the time without GPS and trying to squeeze in as much as I can.

Both PT and Pilates have helped so much that the plantar fasciitis is almost gone. This was a slow gradual process. Every morning, before moving around, I massaged both feet. At night and whenever I was just sitting, I rolled the frozen water bottle under my feet. I did PT twice a week and Pilates on alternating days. (The Reformer makes it so much better than a mat class, there’s no comparison.)

Pain started to subside, enough so that I got out on my bike, and if you know me, you know I love my Trek hybrid. It goes with me everywhere and fits easily into the back of my Subaru Crosstrek (which I also love).

Riding is pretty easy since there are few hills in sight and cars are very accommodating. Grab the Lewes Bicycle Map Guide at the Lewes Library, which is the trailhead for two rides.

Georgetown Lewes Trail starts at the library that has lots of parking and clean restrooms (plenty of books and CDs for sale inside). This wide paved trail goes 6 ½ miles west through neighborhoods and farms, and then back. There’s a sign that warns of cattle crossing. I thought this was really cute, and I did see cows, but none crossing. There are a few car crossings, and the cars always gave me right-of-way. Maybe I was just lucky, but I get the feeling this is a bike-friendly place.

The trail is in progress and eventually will extend to Georgetown, but for now, it’s a lightly traveled easy 13-mile roundtrip with a perfect stop in Lewes: Old World Breads Bakery in the big red barn. Much more than artisan bread: muffins, scones, doughnuts, more baked delights than I can name. And I have had a few. Lunch options also.  https://www.oldworldbreads.com

It’s about 3 miles from the library and open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you time it right, you can grab breakfast and coffee here, ride, and on the way back, drop into Beach Time Distilling next door for a pre-lunch cocktail. The smallest distillery ever, with tastes, tours and a small bar. noon ­­– 6 p.m https://www.beachtimedistilling.com/

Gordons Pond Trail is in Cape Henlopen State Park, which covers some 5,000-plus acres and more than six miles of coastline. There’s lots to do and see in the park, but walking is not on my side, so I stuck to my bike. I will say that even if you only do this ride, it’s worth the $10 out-of-state parking fee, but why not take a suit and go for a swim. Make a day of it. The beaches are beautiful.Destateparks.com

Now, back to the trails... Gordons Pond Trail is a beautiful short ride (7 miles roundtrip) through wetlands and over dunes (on an elevated boardwalk). The trail is hard-packed, mostly gravel, not difficult. You’ll see and hear lots of shorebirds in the marshes and take in some beautiful views. Thanks to a photographer, I even spotted a bald eagle perching up high. From this trail, you can loop off and ride to a fort and other sites in the park. I decided to climb Tower  #7, one of 13 concrete towers in Delaware and New Jersey built in the ’40s as part of the coastal defense system to watch for enemy submarines during WW II. This 75-foot tower offers an easy climb up the renovated spiral staircase to an open (fenced) observation area for a spectacular 360-degree view of the park and coastal landscape.

For the Junction & Breakwater Trail, start at the library for a 16-mile loop that takes you from Lewes to Rehoboth and includes Gordons Pond. Although most of this is on designated trails, you will find yourself on the roads here and there, including at the very beginning. From the library, you almost immediately cross the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal riding on the designated shoulder of Route 9. There are plenty of trail signs along the way, and you have to watch for the turns into housing developments. You will go through Henlopen State Park (and skip the parking fee) and Gordons Pond, and exit on Ocean Drive. (President Biden’s summer house is in this neighborhood, but you won’t get my help with this. It’s fun to do the research and find it on your own.) You will soon get to the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk. I was riding with a friend, and we decided to enjoy fish and chips and a well-deserved brew at Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats on Rehoboth Avenue. https://www.dogfish.com .. more to come on that. . .

To pick up the trail from there, continue away from the beach and watch for trail signs on Church Street. This part of the ride coasts through beautiful shaded woods and back to the library. Take the map with you just in case.

Dogfish Head is big around here...it was the start of the area’s craft beer scene, and since I am still researching, stay tuned for more on that next time. . .