Hi everybody. I'm a PhD student who works on improving sports safety gear to reduce impact injuries/pain in sports like bicycling.

You can help me by filling out a very short (1-2 minutes) survey here:

https://forms.gle/wMceEFrgcnVC4TWg7

I appreciate your time in advance!

Last night ran over a car’s broken headlamp cover on Christiana parkway. 5 inch gash on my rear tire…unpatchable. I’m stranded in the fading early evening light.

I saw a group of 7 fellow bicyclists come by. Yay, maybe one had an old tube I could fashion a long patch.

They just flew by without asking if I needed any help.

So much for the fraternity of the bike.

Sigh.

When moving this wk, I discovered 100 pages of cycling maps in the Delaware/PA/NJ area, apparently written in 1973 by Richard and Louise Jones. I scanned across four PDFs and Im sharing here. Enjoy! #oldschool

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https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1oxKbRR9zCqigAUEozriVPsXykcMfr09J?usp=sharing

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https://preview.redd.it/tofjlh35dh571.png?width=749&format=png&auto=webp&s=bea9768bea688eaaeb5683a54690c0276295ecdd

http://www.bikede.org/2016/10/19/phase-1-of-lewes-georgetown/

There's a possibility to extend the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail underneath of rt. 52. It'll take some activist to get it going, but there's a railway that used to serve Bancroft mills.

The following are hang-ups:

Bancroft mills has a swinging gate that is shut and locked, with a removed bridge on the other side (the abutments are still there and are solid, though. It's only like a 5ft. bridge, over a 3 foot drop, so it's easy to replace!

An impromptu trail begins past that point, headed upstream/north, and it ends near rising sun lane.

Then we have an encroachment on the new property that's on rising sun lane- it might necessitate either a fence to protect the property owner's interests. Personally, I'd build an overhang as part of an exit onto Rising Sun Lane and then call it 'Phase One Complete.'

For Phase II, the bridge over Rising Sun Lane needs re-decking, but seems to be structurally sound for something so close to the Brandywine River. The stone tunnel is beautiful, but fenced off as 'private property,' (which I'm not sure it is, but it neighbours a mansion who probably didn't want the liability. If the state takes on the liability, then they'll probably be happy to just let us through.)

The path is in great shape, and forks- one dead-ends, the other curves up Brecks ln. There's no encroachment by adjacent property owners, and no sign they would object to its conversion to a trial, either, provided they're allowed continuous use of it as a ROW. Then it intersects a driveway, and a bunch of railway ties are stacked up, and the old tracks gets overgrown past that point- which would require saws and hatchets to get past. There's an old access point (stairs) to the middle school along 52, and a stone bridge over a stream that is intact and in good condition, and then a tunnel under DE 52, where there is no evidence of a rail line having ever been here. This exits into a police substation and a DART Park-N-Ride, which works out fine.

Overall, the hardest part of Phase II will be determining property rights of any objection from the neighbours, and re-decking the bridge at Rising Sun Lane. The power co. has a pole in the area and keeps a walking path cut through it, which helps the case of eminent domain, and the police station helps the case that it is secure. The parking lot is already built at both ends (One end has Bancroft mill state park, and the other has the park-and-ride.)

In terms of expense, this is a relatively cheap project insofar as build-out. For comparison, the newly completed Phase I of the Chester Creek Trail had to contend with old washouts from the '70s, building new parking lots, and reopening a closed tunnel over a busy road, which necessitated its closing for a lengthy period.

Edit: Map, thanks to /u/teh_trout

There was some positive feedback some time ago for doing a "Craigslist Choice Post of the Week," and so I thought I'd comb craigslist and post some interesting stuff that was on there:

Gist: Bike lot for sale

Link: https://delaware.craigslist.org/bik/d/11-bicycles-350-cash/6701359300.html

For who: Ideally, a startup craigslist garage bike shop.

Reason for Editor's Pick: That's a solid deal, about $32/bike, each of them is a butted Chromoly steel frame w/ alloy rims. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a big fan of chromoly steel, especially butted chromoly. That is perfect for commuter bikes and campus beaters that someone can still carry upstairs into their apartments. The Philly and Newark, DE markets are particularly thirsty for this style of bike, in my experiences from buying-repairing-flipping. Could make a tidy profit and get a lot of people on good, reliable bikes.

Post 2:

Gist: Neat semi-unique bike.

Link: https://delaware.craigslist.org/bik/d/military-bicycle/6697975283.html

For who: Enthusiast/collector "look at this bike!"

Reason for Mod Pick: Just look at the dang thing, pretty neat. That's literally it. I wouldn't advise actually buying it, but has an 'oooooh neat,' factor to it.

Post 3:

Gist: Small road bike

Link: https://delaware.craigslist.org/bik/d/trek-320-road-bike-small-size/6680742115.html

For who: Shorter rider who's getting into road riding.

Reason for Mod Pick: while road bikes can be had for less, it's hard to say you'd get one in better tune with STI/brifters, for the same dollars spent- drivetrain is clean, tuned, etc., I'd mark that as a very good deal. I'm a big fan of this guy's posts- he seems to do very, very good work.

Post the best vintage-y (and likely not-stolen) deal you can find locally, whether it's letgo, craigslist, or so on.

Lots of people are trying to get into riding, and I think it's something to do.

We can also do a "ride of the week" route, and post pics of the route which we'd run for a summer.

This is a 45 mile flat loop though quiet and scenic areas of southern New Jersey. The route is along and across the serene Alloway Creek. The roads route is clearly marked with road paint and has minimal vehicle traffic. There will be a rest stop with attendants, beverages, health bars, and wraps at mile 25. We start and finish at the ACME in Woodstown (857 Route 45 Woodstown, NJ, 08098). Bikers will be provided with cue sheets and emergency contact numbers for support volunteers. Join us after this pleasant Spring ride for a picnic, all of this included for only $25 and benefits the Cavaillon Orphanage in Haiti! For more details and to register visit https://bike4beds.org/

The Wildwood 100 is a relatively flat century ride from Woodstown NJ to Wildwood NJ. This route is ideal for experienced bikers who are interested in the full century ride through the width of New Jersey and down the coast into Wildwood over quiet country roads with scenic views. There are multiple rest stops with bathrooms, refreshing beverages and snacks. We will stop at Wawa for lunch. We will also transport a bag to Wildwood for riders wanting to take a shower/change after the ride.

The Wildwood 200 is a two-day event; we ride 100 miles from Woodstown NJ to Wildwood NJ, stay the night in Wildwood and then ride back to Woodstown NJ the following morning on Sunday April 29th. All of this included for $30 for the 100 mile, or $45 for the 200; a portion of the event fee benefits the Cavaillon Orphanage in Haiti. For the course map,more details and to register visit https://bike4beds.org/

This 200 mile route is ideal for experienced bikers who are interested in a double century ride through the width of New Jersey and down the coast into Wildwood and back. This is a two day ride; Saturday May 13th we bike 100 miles to the shore and Sunday May 14th we bike the same 100 mile route back to our cars in Woodstown NJ. Saturday night we stay at the Fountain Motel in Wildwood. This is the original route that we mapped out in an effort to take riders over quiet country roads with scenic views. This moderately flat course is a good course to do your first double century. Riders should train for this route. There are multiple rest stops with refreshing beverages and snacks. For more information visit: https://bike4beds.org/event-details/ *Note - we also offer 50, 70 and 100 mile routes at this event on May 13th, read more about those routes on our website or contact Matt Ritz at bike4beds@gmail.com

Is anyone else going to ride the Beach to Bay Tour tomorrow in Bethany Beach? This will be my first time and I'm really not sure which ride to do: the Metric or the Imperial. Truly flatland but it's going to be really warm tomorrow. Chicken houses gonna smell ripe!

Hello all, I'm moving to Newark DE with my wife in about a month and based on what I have seen driving around DE it seems like it's a very bike friendly area. I have always enjoyed casual trail riding in the past but I am interested in exploring road biking, as is my wife. After we move, I would like to pick up a couple used road bikes once were all moved in and set up. So I was looking for suggestions for a shop in the area that sells used road bikes and can help me find the correct size bike for us novice riders. Looking for a very affordable entry level option to give it a try. Thanks for all the help, looking forward to your suggestions

I know of at least 3 skate parks that accommodate BMX riders in the Wilmington Area. Milfold had one but its long gone. Sussex has nothing. Does anyone have an idea of how I could bring this to the attention of someone who could help? I know the BMX scene is there but has no where to ride where they will not be harassed by law enforcement or have the thrills of riding on actual ramps.