Fall Colors Ride XIII

October 25, 2009


On October 25, 2009 we had a Fall Colors Ride XIII on the path along the D&R feeder canal next to the Delaware River. We went from Washington Crossing to Lambertville to Frenchtown and back. Our total for the day was 46.1 miles.

For some reason, we had a very small turn out this year. Only Norm Jarosik, and me, Ed Groth.

The day was beautiful after lots of rain the previous day, the original date of the ride. The day started out a bit chilly but warmed to the low 60s by the afternoon. There were good colors this year. A result of the very wet spring and summer?


The rest of the story is in the pictures below.

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Fall Colors Ride, 2009 At the start of the ride, the facilities at Washington's Crossing Park. Fall Colors Ride, 2009 The bridge over the Delaware from Washington's Crossing to Pennsylvania.
Fall Colors Ride, 2009 Norm waiting for the ride to start at Washington's Crossing. It was a bit chilly at 8am in the morning. Fall Colors Ride, 2009 We rode all the way to Bulls Island State Park where we took our first break. Here's Norm at the park.
Fall Colors Ride, 2009 We walked across the footbridge over the Delaware to Pennsylvania. Fall Colors Ride, 2009 The Pennsylvania side of the Delaware just upstream from the footbridge.
Fall Colors Ride, 2009 More of the Pennsylvania side upstream from the footbridge. Fall Colors Ride, 2009 There was a stiff breeze blowing down the river. Trees along the tow path sheltered us from the breeze most of the time, but occasionally the woods opened up and we had to fight the head wind!

In the background is the former Lumberville Inn. It appears to have a fresh coat of paint and is reopening as the Black Bass Inn.
Fall Colors Ride, 2009 On the Pennsylvania side of the footbridge looking upstream. The Delaware River is on the right and the Delaware Canal is on the left. In the middle is the towpath of the canal which was severely damaged in the floods of 2004-2005. It appears that the path is being repaired. If so, a return trip along the Pennsylvania side of the river will once again be an option. Fall Colors Ride, 2009 Upstream from the Lumberville end of the footbridge, showing mostly the New Jersey side of the river.
Fall Colors Ride, 2009 Back towards New Jersey from the Pennsylvania end of the Lumberville bridge. That flag is still standing straight out! Fall Colors Ride, 2009 We made it to Frenchtown, the turn around point of the ride. Here's the view looking down Bridge Street to the bridge across the Delaware to Uhlerstown, PA. We had coffee and pastries at Maria's. Halloween is next Saturday and many decorations are up.
Fall Colors Ride, 2009 On the way back we rode along the shoulder of route 29 to Prallsville Mills where the shoulder ends. About half way to Prallsville Mills, there's Tumble Falls Road, leading into the forest away from the river. About 30 feet along the road, you encounter Tumble Falls! There's plenty of water in the falls today, since there was lots or rain yesterday. You can't see the falls from route 29. You have to know they're there and go looking for them! Fall Colors Ride, 2009 Back in Lambertville, we had lunch at the Canal Side Bar of the Lambertville Station.
Fall Colors Ride, 2009 From our table at lunch, there's the canal and the tow path, with some bike racks under the trees. Fall Colors Ride, 2009 After lunch we rode the 7 miles back to Washington's Crossing, where we called it a day. Here are Norm and I in front of Norm's bike and car.