Been over St George's Bridge Lately?

[jberryhill]

So I'm getting ready for bike to the bay and have been cycling some of the routes I used to ride when I was much younger, and there were more bikeable ways to get to the southern side of I-95 - yeesh, but that's another story.

From up in Pike Creek, I cut through the pedestrian underpass at Delaware Park, out the other side, through the hell the Churchman's Road interchange has become, past the Farmer's Market, and on into New Castle to pick up route 9 south.

I was with my son who is new to cycling and to close-up Delaware geography, and I figured we'd head down to North St George's and back up through Red Lion.

But my legs were feeling good and I figured we'd go below the canal, and the only way I really like to do that is over Reedy Point.

First off, I have traumatic memories of biking over St George's bridge, and yes I used to do it before the route 1 bridge was there. Steep, scary, and not a whole lot of room.

So, we get down to Delaware City, spin around the marina there, and head toward the bridge.

Problem is Reedy Point bridge is closed... to cars. Because they are painting it, the central span has this big fabric tent over it with zippered doors - big enough for a bike - at both ends.

What a fantastic thing - to have Reedy Point Bridge all to yourself on a bicycle! There is nothing quite like the view from that bridge, and you really don't get the chance to appreciate the panorama from inside of a car.

So it's down the other side, over to Port Penn, rest stop at Augustine Beach, and I figured we'd go a wee bit more south.

Somewhere south of there, my son mentions, "oh, I have to be back" at a time which is going to require a flat-out ass hauling to get back home.

From where we were, the quickest route back was going to be across to 13 and up through Red Lion to Christiana, and route 7 up. On bicycles. And... Did I mention that biking St George's Bridge gives me cold sweats.

So we haul ass over to old 13 and when we get to the bottom of the south side, I look up and....

Did you know that BOTH outside lanes of St George's Bridge are now bike lanes?

THAT'S AWESOME?


Now, I know it's probably been like that for a long time but, really, who really drives over that bridge anymore anyway?

The traffic is separated by safety markers and you get a full auto lane. It's a heck of a climb to the top of it, but the payoff going down the other side is worth it.

I am going to be over that thing as often as I can get down there now.

[randr]

1. I grew up in Delaware

and have fond memories of all the places you mentioned. I am sure things are a lot different now but you have brought back memories long forgotten. Thanks.

[jberryhill]

2. Some things have changed

Some things are gone.

Some things are worse.

And some things are better.

I rode all the way to Rehoboth when I was a teenager, and I'm fixing to do it again, but this time on route 9 to Dover, by my 50th birthday.

A couple of weeks ago, I went along the north side of the canal from St. Georges, up around the Summit marina, and back on the canal to the 896 bridge. Hadn't been down there in ages either.

Did you ever watch the railroad bridge in action?

[randr]

3. I am sure I must have as well as several other

draw bridges. I lived outside of Newport and we would spend summer days under the old draw bridge over the Christiana.
Now I live in Western Colorado and between here and Moab, Ut it is biking heaven.

[jberryhill]

4. Here's a blast from the past....

Disney movies at Cinema 141.

Watching the trains go by the pond at Banning Park.

[randr]

5. Every Sat. afternoon at Cin 141--25 cents

Later Friday nite in the balcony.
Before Banning Park it was just Foley's Woods/Pond and we would steal the smudge pots off the tracks for fires at night.

[treestar]

6. No, didn't know that

Lately my canal trip has been to Chesapeake city, so we go over the Summit Bridge.

That's pretty nice - must be a good bike ride.