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I started the ride at 9:00 AM along the now familiar roads northeast of Philadelphia, past deserted buildings, vacant lots, and an oil refinery. My first challenge was getting on the pedestrian ramp for Tancony-Palmyra Bridge, but with a little extra riding I made it. I always thought the bridge would be a good vantage for a morning picture of the Philadelphia skyline, but I was on the wrong side and the sky was too hazy for a good shot.
About twenty-five miles out I stopped in Burlington for my first extended rest. The historic town has a nice waterfront with a good view across to Bristol, PA. I'm used to seeing the Delaware as an industrial, 'working' river so I was a bit of surprise to see this scenic stretch of it.
I had never heard of Roebling, New Jersey. I almost rode right past it. But the last two blocks of dense rowhouses were so out-of place in this part of the state, it sparked my curiosity. When I saw the grounds of the old factory, I thought it might be an old company town. A hunch that became a certainty as I investigated further. After the ride, I researched the name, and sure enough the Roebeling Company built the 750-home town for workers at the the new Lower Delaware millworks in 1905.
Having made it to Trenton, I knew I was more than half-way done. I stopped to rest in a downtown park and then sought out the state capitol building before weaving my way back to Pennsylvania over the "Trenton Makes, World Takes" Bridge.
The ride back to Philadelphia was surprisingly direct. I found a one road that took me almost straight-in and it was a surprisingly lightly traveled one. I really started to feel tired as I made my way down this road. Determined not to stop again until I cross the Pennsylvania Turnpike, I might have overtaxed myself a little. At the first gas station passed the Turnpike, a Sunoco, I stopped for some cold drinks. The very friendly gas station attendant invited me to stay and enjoy the A.C. I gladly accepted. He told me how he preferred cold to hot weather since he grew up in New Hampshire. When I said I went to school it Ann Arbor, he told me Bob Seger grew up there, which I didn't now. Turns out he was a big Bob Seger Fan.
Leaving the station, I realized I was on a more southerly course than I thought, but that worked out for the best, since it kept the climbs to a minimum. Once back in Philadelphia, I noticed some gathering clouds, but they didn't pose an immediate threat. A little further down the road I even stopped for a much needed breather before completing the ride. Unlike the previous week, I caught no second wind. I limped back to Rittenhouse Square on fumes, convinced that the wind blew against me which ever direction I rode.
Elevation Profile
Statistics
Length: 86.9 miles
Ride Time: 7 hours 39 minutes
Total Time: 9 hours 25 minutes
Avg. Speed: 11.3 MPH
Max. Speed: 26.5 MPH
Avg. Cadence: 56 RPM
Cumulative Ascent: 2050 ft.
Max. Elevation: 144 ft.
With the river in foreground, I thought the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge would be a good place to take a picture of the Philadelphia Skyline. It didn't turnout as good as I hoped. It might have been better from the other side of the bridge, but I had no desire to play Frogger getting over there.
In any established town in the Northeast, this architecture wouldn't be out of place, but this cluster of homes just appeared after riding through typical suburban fare. When I saw the nearby millwork, I connected the name to the possibility it was a company town and investigated further.
The building next the fire company is the town auditorium. The historical marker said it was one of the first buildings in the country with central air conditioning.
The New Jersey State Capitol. Home to some of the worst public policy in the country.
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