Delaware Doublecross Ride: Sunday, July 7
Many bicycle rides cross states that are measured in hundreds of miles and many days. The White Clay Bicycle Club, Bike Delaware’s most generous sponsor, offers an alternative that is modest in time, effort and stamina (a bicycle ride nearly anyone can do) that crosses and “doublecrosses” an entire state in only 31 total miles over flat terrain. In addition to the traditional route, there is a 62-mile (metric century) route for those who would like a longer ride.
Where else in the US can you cross a state twice, in a morning? Join hundreds of other riders on Sunday, July 7, starting at Middletown High School*.
Registration is open 7:30 – 10:00 am (9:00 am for the metric century).
The 31-mile loop includes a food stop. The 62-mile loop includes three food stops.
If you haven’ already registered, day-of registration is $20. (Children under the age of 18 are free but must be accompanied by a paid adult). Registration fee includes free event souvenir, fully marked routes, food stops at regular intervals and SAG service until 3:00 p.m.
| * DIRECTIONS TO MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOLAll routes begin and end at Middletown High School – Rt.299 (Main St.) and Silver Lake Rd. Middletown, DEFrom New Jersey and northeast PA: I-95 into DE. Exit 4A, Rt.1 south ($1 toll) for approximately 17 miles to exit 136. Right at light on to Rt. 299, go 1 mile to left on Silver Lake Rd. School entrance on left.From Baltimore and points west: I-95 into DE. Exit 1, Rt. 896 south, joins with Rt.71 south. Follow Rt.71 south to left on Rt.299 east, go 1 mile to right on Silver Lake Rd. School entrance on left.From points south and west: Rt.301 to Rt.299 into Middletown, follow as above. Or, follow Rt.1 to exit 136 or Rt.13 into Odessa. Left on Rt.299 to left on Silver Lake Rd. School entrance on left. |
3 Responses
“Like hobbits?!” Thank you Bike Delaware, that is going to be my new favorite way to describe my home state!
Delashire.
Back in 1985 when I presented the idea for the Delaware Double Cross to WCBC, they were a bit dubious as to the merits of the ride. “What, a ride of only 28 miles? And you want to give out a patch? Who will come to it and what kind of achievement is that? ” Since I was willing to do all the organization, road marking, and registration, the club gave its sanction. I designed the patches (which were given out at the START of the ride!) and got them made, bought boxes of bananas wholesale, and even persuaded the State of Delaware to give me a box of official State maps. The idea of a somewhat facetious cross state bike ride that almost everyone could participate in took root. The first three years the number of riders went from 40 to 70 to 140. I handed the ride over to other club members and over the years they have expanded the ride to 2 loops to make it a Metric Century for those so inclined and provided a killer rest stop, the likes of which are alone worth the price of admission. The ride now attracts as many as 600 plus riders, a testament to WCBC’s stewardship. I still show up for the ride, but claim the Founder’s privelege of doing my own 12 mile ride (Hey, I’m riding a 40 pound cruiser with wood fenders, lights, rack and panniers). The Delaware XX is truly the “Little Ride That Could”. C’ya there on Sunday…………… Felix C.