The Adventure Cycling Association Atlantic Coast Bicycle Route is divided into two
segments. The route is a total of 2535 miles (4081 km) that hugs the Atlantic coast of the
United States for roughly 60% of its length, heading inland to avoid major metropolitan
areas and where cycling conditions along the coast are not favorable.
In the Northeast, riders enjoy the flavor of quiet Maine coastal towns, New England
villages, the rural countryside, and bucolic Amish farmlands. Once the route crosses the
Mason-Dixon Line, which is the boundary between Pennsylvania and Maryland, the route
ride enters the South and get some flavor for Civil War history by visiting the battlefields at
Fredericksburg, Virginia, and the city of Richmond, Virginia. Spurs lead into the various
larger cities along this route. A lack of road signs can make parts of this route
challenging. It can be ridden from late spring to late fall. Due to changing local conditions,
it is difficult to predict any major wind patterns. Unless riders are adapted to it, humidity
will be a challenging factor.
ROUTE
Bar Harbor, Maine, to Richmond, Virginia
This segment is excellent for history buffs, as you'll discover sites dating back to the early
days of the United States and beyond.
Starting in the tourist town of Bar Harbor, Maine, on Mt. Desert Island, the route heads out of town through Acadia National Park and then along occasional back roads situated near the coast. Riders should allow some time to savor the ambiance of the coastal towns. After crossing the Penobscot River, there is a side trip to visit Ft. Knox, an exceptionally well-preserved unused Revolutionary War fort. Only a small portion of the route is along the Atlantic's edge in Maine. More New England beauty will be enjoyed as the route heads south through New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. In Massachusetts there is a 30-mile spur into Boston. New England provides charming, picturesque towns that one might find on a wall calender. Biking through New York, riders pass through scenic farmland. The route along the Hudson River has several sites of historic significance.
Entering New Jersey, the route traverses one of the best areas in the state for bicycling, along the Delaware River. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is particularly beautiful and gives an other-world meaning to typical images that people have of New Jersey. At Lambertville, another spur extends eastward to New York City. The route heads west into Pennsylvania through productive farms and many hills. Downtown Philadelphia is a short distance from the route via a bike trail along the Schuylkill River. After riding through Valley Forge National Historic Park, riders enter Amish country, where "old-style" living includes horses and buggies. The route swings west around the outskirts of Baltimore, and you can take the alternate through the city if preferred. There are more farms in northern Maryland, which will turn into suburban sprawl in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.
Although congestion increases tremendously, the ride though Washington, D.C., is
pleasant. Bike paths through Rock Creek Park take riders to the Lincoln Memorial and the
Potomac River. After crossing the Potomoc, there is another beautiful bike path to Mount
Vernon, George Washington's residence from 1754 until his death. Then there are more
urban areas in expanding northern Virginia, some quiet country roads, and increasing
urbanization on the approach to Richmond, Virginia.
Richmond, Virginia, to Key West, Florida
This segment provides the opportunity to bike through the Deep South and travel through back-road farmlands and swamps.
In the South, riders pass Baptist churches and develop a sense for that "old-time
religion." In contrast, there are some highly developed areas in Florida to which throngs of
tourists flock and where many people have retired. There are numerous wildlife refuges
to see and hike through. If biking the Outer Banks Alternate, riders get to see tools utilized
by the famous Wright Brothers in their bicycle shop. This route can be ridden year-round,
but the northern part can be quite cool in the winter. Expect high temperatures and humid
conditions in the summer, though beach riding will be tempered by ocean breezes. Due
to changing local conditions, it is difficult to predict any major wind patterns. Be aware that
hurricanes can occur from July through November along the Atlantic Seaboard and can
close roads along the Outer Banks Alternate.
Leaving Richmond, the route heads south through the farmlands of Virginia and
encounters some swamps when crossing into North Carolina. On the Outer Banks
Alternate, riders have a treat biking along the sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. The
winds can be strong (that's why the Wright Brothers flew their first plane there), and sand
may blow onto the road. In the Outer Banks, there are two ferry rides, one of which is 2-1/4
hours long. After the Outer Banks, riders pass through Camp Lejeune Marine Corps
Base, biking by the "Tank Xing" signs. Heading southward, the route passes through the
busy city of Wilmington, North Carolina, and takes another ferry ride into Southport. Next
come farmlands and swamps, and devastation in the Francis Marion National Forest left
by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. There's a 34-mile spur into historic Charleston, South
Carolina, once described as "an 18th-century painting come to life."
Heading into Georgia, there are more farms and swamps. Another spur will take you into charming Savannah, Georgia which has one of the largest national historic landmark districts in the United States. The best swamp of all, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, is four miles off route. It is one of the largest and most primitive swamps remaining in the United States. Riders can see numerous alligators of all sizes, stroll on boardwalks over the marshes, and take a boat ride through the swamp.
Heading south, the route skirts around the northeast corner of Jacksonville, Florida, and the waterfront homes of retirees. Then it's beach riding along the Atlantic Ocean to St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest European settlement in the United States, which displays distinctive Spanish architecture. Starting in St. Augustine, the route alternates between urban and suburban conditions most of the way down the coast through Miami. Florida has an extensive though sometimes confusing network of bicycling facilities ranging from 2 foot bike lanes or shoulders to separated bike paths and sidewalks. For some stretches it will be better to use the sidewalk rather than the road while in highly trafficked beach areas, the sidewalks will be pedestrian use only. The approach to often nearly invisible short bridges are usually marked with "frogs", "buttons", "turtles", "slugs" or rumble strips.
Riders can take advantage of the opportunities to enjoy the numerous beach accesses. County parks often include such amenities as picnic tables, cold water, showers and toilets and are inexpensive or free to cyclists. State Highway A1A changes names many times on its journey along the coast. This is especially true as it nears Miami. Often it is located adjacent to an aquatic preserve or wildlife refuge offering bird watching. South of Jupiter, campgrounds for tenting are almost nonexistent until south of Miami.
After Florida City, there is a 29-mile ride with no services, potentially heavy traffic and
abundant crocodile sightings. If riders see what appears to be a green couch along the
road, it's probably not! Crocs should always be given a wide berth, and riders must be
ready to sprint if necessary. Crocodiles can reach speeds of 30 miles per hour for very
short distances. On the way to Key West the roadways have generous shoulders, though
the bike paths are recommended. Riders should take plenty of time to enjoy this section
and have the camera at the ready. Crossing the many old bridges present multiple
occasions to stop and take in the scenery. Each of the Keys offers their own information
center with local knowledge of available activities. Riders wishing to stay at one of the
Bahia Honda State Park campsites, should make reservations early. For those who don't
wish to reverse their route back across the Keys, a loop route can be created by taking a
ferry from Key West to Fort Myers Beach where it is possible to join the Florida Connector
Bicycle Route and return to Fort Lauderdale. Space is limited on the ferries, so when
making reservations, riders need to let them know in advance that they have a bike.
