This Department is conducted in the interest of Bicyclers, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject. Our maps and tours contain much valuable data kindly supplied from the official maps and road-books of the League of American Wheelmen. Recognizing the value of the work being done by the L. A. W., the Editor will be pleased to furnish subscribers with membership blanks and information so far as possible.
Copyright, 1895, by Harper & Brothers.
In No. 812 we published a map of Staten Island, showing the run across the Island to Tottenville. It was a route which we then called attention to as a good short ride within the reach of any New-Yorker for a Sunday afternoon or a holiday spin. This bicycle route from St. George's to Tottenville is also, however, the first stage in a run to Philadelphia, which in many ways is as pleasant a tour as any one in the vicinity of New York city or Philadelphia could well take.
The Map this week takes up the route from Tottenville and carries it on to Trenton, New Jersey, a distance of thirty-five or thirty-six miles. As a matter of fact, if you are planning to take the Philadelphia tour, it is wise to make a night stop at New Brunswick instead of Tottenville. Then, by stopping at Trenton the next night, the third day will bring you into Philadelphia. As has often been said in this Department, these distances are not for "scorchers" or old and long-distance riders. They are for people—young people especially—who are riding for the fun of riding, and who will find much more amusement if they take the runs which have been proved to be the best in their vicinity. And, by-the-way, no readers need be angry because the maps so far have been all in the vicinity of New York. As time goes on it is our purpose to treat the neighborhood of Philadelphia and Boston as we have treated New York, and then to cover territory in the vicinity of other cities also.
This run to Philadelphia can be made in one day by a good man. It can be done in two days with less than fifty miles each day; but if you are wise, and if you want to see the country, and get some pleasure out of the ride, do it slowly and take three days. Crossing the ferry at Tottenville, Staten Island, you run out of Perth Amboy direct, bearing right in a diagonal fashion one block. This will bring you in a short time to the Metuchen road, and this should be kept to for about four miles beyond Perth Amboy. Here, instead of keeping on into Metuchen, you will save distance and get a better road by turning to the left to Woodville, and then running through Bonhamton, Piscataway, into New Brunswick. This is about twenty-six miles from St. George's, and a good place to stop for the night is the Palmer House. Running out of New Brunswick you cross the bridge, and, passing out Albany Street, turn to the left and go through Franklin Park, Bunker Hill, into Kingston; thence, crossing the bridge, keep to the left, and run on into Princeton, where a pleasant stop may be made at the Princeton Inn. From New Brunswick to Kingston is largely down hill and is thirteen miles, and from thence to Princeton is three miles further.
From Princeton to Trenton is thirteen miles, the road being of clay and shale, and pretty good if not too wet. Keeping to the road running along in front of the Princeton Inn the rider runs into Lawrenceville, about five miles out, and from here he makes direct for the old Trenton Turnpike. Turning left into this his road is straight to Trenton, a distance of six miles from Lawrenceville and twenty-nine miles from New Brunswick, the road being on the whole a gentle decline all the way, with occasional small but no bad hills.
Note.—Map of New York city asphalted streets in No. 809. Map of route from New York to Tarrytown in No. 810. New York to Stamford, Connecticut, in No. 811. New York to Staten Island in No. 812. New Jersey from Hoboken to Pine Brook in No. 813. Brooklyn in No. 814. Brooklyn to Babylon in No. 815. Brooklyn to Northport in No. 816. Tarrytown to Poughkeepsie in No. 817. Poughkeepsie to Hudson in No. 818. Hudson to Albany in No. 819.