D&R Canal Trekkers First Day on the Trail

After meeting outside Penn Station, the D&R Canal Trekkers enjoyed some NYC bagels and orange juice. We scurried off at 8:30am to find an elevator to get down to NJ Transit. After rushing onto the train we enjoyed a relaxing hour ride to New Brunswick.  Sitting in the beautiful Rutgers University campus, we did some ice breakers to get to know each other better and talked about bicycle safety.  Practicing our new skills while riding around campus, we proceeded to find a supermarket to buy lunch supplies. We found a supermarket with the help of Trekker Sheyla communicating in Spanish!

We headed to the D&R Canal where we found a lovely spot with a waterfall to enjoy sandwiches near the tow path trail . Proceeding down the trail, we rode on a dirt path surrounded by trees and water on both sides.  After a very sweaty ride, we made it to the Doubletree Hotel where we played water polo in the pool and other games. A late arriving Trekker, Jamie showed up and we spent time getting to know him.

For dinner we walked for Thai food which was DELICIOUS (a little spicy). Back at the hotel, Zosia and Sheyla found us free cookies!!  We all ate them while reviewing the day together.  Looking forward to a good nights rest and a full day of biking tomorrow! -- Trip Leader Jamie

The D&R Canal Trekkers Begin A Scenic and Historic Adventure

The Delaware & Raritan Canal Trek began in New York City this morning.  This wonderful, short bike tour passes through small and large towns in New Jersey and Pennsylvania including Princeton, Trenton, Easton, and Bethlehem.  They’ll ride across the Delaware River where George Washington made his historic crossing and see 18th century farmhouses, granaries and barns along this scenic route.  The group took a NJ Transit Train out of NYC and after getting to know one another and discussing bike safety the Trekkers started riding in New Brunswick, NJ.

D&R Canal Trek Follows the Delaware River

On their last full day of biking, the D&R Canal Trekkers rolled out of bed in Frenchtown, NJ and headed across the Delaware River back to Pennsylvania.  They got back on the shady Delaware Canal path and headed toward Easton, PA, passing a number of historic canal locks and aqueducts.

At lunch time, they picnicked by the river and went wading in it.  When they reached Easton, they stopped at a wonderful homemade ice cream shop and then got back on their bikes to put in the last few miles to Bethlehem.

Tomorrow, they'll ride into downtown Bethlehem and explore the city before catching a bus back to NYC for the end of their Trek!

D&R Canal Trek Visits Washington's Crossing on the Delaware River

The D&R Canal Trekkers enjoyed another beautiful day of biking, leaving the canal itself behind for even prettier scenery along the Delaware River.  Early in the day, the group stopped at Washington's famous crossing and learned about the importance of crossing the river to the success of the Revolutionary War.

Next, they stopped in Lambertville for lunch and explored the town together.  Everyone did great, cruising through their 30-mile day to reach the little town of Frenchtown in the evening, where they finished the day with some delicious local pizza and a sunset over the water.

Tomorrow, they'll have their last full day of riding, and they're hoping it will be their best one yet!

D&R Canal Trek Reaches New Jersey

The D&R Canal tow path has brought our Trekkers from lovely Princeton to Yardley, Pennsylvania! The weather was absolutely gorgeous for their ride, and they picked up some company in the form of a flock of geese.

About two thirds of the way to their destination, the group stopped in Trenton, NJ, to have a picnic on the State House lawn and play some frisbee. They then took a tour of the State House, learning about the history of New Jersey and some fun facts about the state legislature.

They continued on in the late afternoon, making one more necessary stop for some water ice and ice cream before heading to the hotel to make a delicious dinner.

D&R Canal Trek Samples Local History and Local Ice Cream

Our Trekkers had a great second day along the D&R Canal! The first bit of the trail was a little rocky, but the path smoothed out into a finer gravel, making the kids' ride much smoother.

Along the trail, they saw several old shipping locks and the bridge that George Washington crossed after the battles of Trenton and Princeton in the days of the American Revolution. We emerged from the wooded trail near Princeton and biked through the town.

In town we met up with Caroline, one of the Trekkers from a New England Shore Trek leader Dana led earlier this summer.  Caroline took the group to a sweet ice cream shop, and then everyone rode through Princeton University's beautiful campus before heading to the hotel for the evening.

D&R Canal Trek Leaves New York City

The Delaware and Raritan Canal Trek left New York City today for a 6-day, mostly off-road adventure along beautiful canal bikeways.  These are our youngest Trekkers, ages 10-12, completing a self-supported Trek with full panniers and group gear.

Since this was the first day, they started out by discussing bike safety rules and group biking procedures, then caught a train out of the city.  They did their first biking together around Rutgers University and New Brunswick, NJ. 

Their destination for the day was the Doubletree Hotel in Somerset, NJ, where they had a swim in the hotel pool and then cooked and ate dinner in the fresh air at a picnic table on hotel grounds.

Trekkers, Trip Leaders and Parents meeting in NYC