Newark, New Jersey to Sea Girt, New Jersey 61 km (38 miles)

I left the comfort of the Holiday Inn early Sunday morning and rode along Hwys 1 & 9 toward Liberty State Park in Jersey City. The ride was about 17.5 km (11 miles).

Hwys 1 and 9 were not bike friendly, although they did have a pretty good shoulder for most of the way. I was glad that it was Sunday when I was riding. At one point I took an off ramp thinking that I could skirt the highways and still make it to the bridge that I was to cross... Nope! I wound up in an industrial park and was shocked at how much garbage was on the sides of the streets.

Leaving Liberty State Park.

 Manhattan Sky Line from the ferry.

On the Ferry from Liberty State Park, New Jersey to the World Financial Center Ferry Terminal, New York City. I had wanted to take a ferry to Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty up close, but due to damage from Hurricane Sandy, no ferries were landing.

Freedom Tower silhouetted by the sun.

I walked my bike up toward Freedom Tower and snapped this photo which does not do justice to its immense size and height.

I was surprised by how bike friendly New York City was.

You can learn all about the NYC City Bike rental system at http://citibikenyc.com/how-it-works

The Pier 11 Ferry Terminal was only 2.5 km from Freedom Tower. I took the above ferry to Sandy Hook, New Jersey along with quite a few beach goers from Manhattan.

Bikes on the ferry. The guy who sold me the one way ticket to Sandy Hook told me to make sure my bike and gear were secure for the speedy passage - the boat travels up to 35 knots.

The Manhattan skyline from the ferry to Sandy Hook.

Fort Hancock is on the Sandy Hook Peninsula. In 1895 the US Army set up a major defensive point for New York City.

There was a beautiful paved bicycle path through Fort Hancock and the entire Sandy Hook Peninsula.

I didn't expect to see cacti in New Jersey. Above is the yellow flowered Prickly Pear Cactus which thrives in the dry sand of the Sandy Hook area.

Fort Hancock was closed as a missile base in 1974. Above is the Nike Hercules Missile. During the Cold War Era, missiles were stationed here to defend New York City and Philadelphia.

Miles of white, soft, sandy, beach makes up Sandy Hook.

A closed (obviously) section of the bicycle path that was torn up by Hurricane Sandy.

The sign in front of Sea Bright United Methodist Church quotes John 5:6 and reads, "Jesus asked, Do you want to be Made Well?" "All Welcome"

From Sandy Hook I rode to Sea Girts, New Jersey,  41 km (25.5 miles).

Just as I was out of Sea Bright a guy named Tom pedalled up next to me. Wearing flip-flops, a tank top and riding a beach cruiser bike he was heading toward a watering hole in the town of Neptune. Tom had a knapsack embossed with the name and symbol for the "Wounded Warrior Project." I asked him about the project. Tom volunteers with the logistics of getting wounded vets, many of whom are amputees, out surfing. Tom also gave me a running commentary of how Hurricane Sandy had disrupted the lives of so many in this area. We rode together until I took a break at the Bradley Beach 7-11.

At the Starbuck's in Sea Girt, NJ I met Jim who asked about my trip and wished me well.

I was happy to be able to give Jim and Tom a card with my e-mail and blog address. I had the cards made up by Patti, the owner of Quality Printing and Design Inc., in Honesdale, Pennsylvania while visiting Mark, Kelly and my nephews. Thanks Patti - great work!