It is hard but there is one bridge that pedestrians and cyclists can use to get west from New York. The sidewalk is narrow and overgrown and you have to take a few exit ramps to get to surface roads (which then wander through some of the most industrially blighted areas I've ever seen) but it will get you to Newark.
A scene from Newark
MOLLY AND NIK PULL UP TO INTERSECTION OF BROAD STREET ON BIKES. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WALKING AROUND DOING NORMAL MIDDLE OF THE CITY THINGS. IT IS 11 IN THE MORNING ON A SUNNY DAY.
MAN. Lots of stuff on your bikes there. Where are you from?
NIK. From Boston on Friday. On to DC for the fourth and then west.
MAN. Nice. Well, make sure you're out of Newark by the time it gets dark.
THE LIGHT CHANGES. MOLLY AND NIK CONTINUE ON. SCENE.
Newark gave way to suburbs which gave way to poorer suburbs which gave way to more rural towns and eventually we crossed the Raritan River onto the Raritan and Delaware Canal Trail. Perfect for biking and it felt good to finally get moving at a normal speed and not stop every five minutes to check directions or wait for a light to change. We also came across this fine snapping turtle just sunning himself on the side of the trail.
Of course I had to get some pictures of the locks on the trail. As Molly says I am, after all , fascinated by the flow of water. The canal ws built to connect Philadelphia and the Raritan river which just so happens to flow out right behind Staten Island. A bit of early 19th century engineering to build a water route overland between Philly and NYC.
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