I got to the beach in Asbury Park and headed north. This section of the boardwalk was closed for a triathlon. Participants were finishing the the ocean swim portion, coming from the beach on the right.
Oceanfront renewal. New shops and eateries along the refurbished Asbury boardwalk.
Bike riding on tile, inside one of the pavilions on the boardwalk in Asbury.
I turned back onto roads after the end-of-boardwalk at the north end of Asbury. Much to my surprise, my route was part of the the triathlon bike route. They chased me in droves. I was the 'fred'.
Halfway north to Sandy Hook, the land becomes a narrow peninsula, like a barrier island. The bay is on the left. An environmentally unfriendly seawall blocks the ocean beach on the right.
Road construction just before entering Sandy Hook.
Cars pay $10 each to park at Sandy Hook. Bikes are free, woo hoo.
Typical ocean view on the right headed northbound.
Sandy Hook was an army base during all wars up through WWII, protecting New York City harbor. Historical displays are everywhere.
The trail varies from open windy flatland, to totally enclosed tunnels of overgrowth.
Officers' Quarters at Fort Hancock.
A good number of svelte cyclists raced past me on the trail.
This fast catamaran ferries beachgoers between New York City and Sandy Hook.
Ride on the wrong side of the bike trail at your own risk.
Battery Potter, one of dozens of historic fortifications along the way.
Several of the trails end at a beach. This one is at the far north, called North Beach. Sand is fine, white, and clean throughout the park.
Bathrooms, snack bar, water fountains, and early arrivals at the beach.
My first sighting of the lighthouse, at North Beach looking southwest. Time to start wandering the trails and roads to find it.
Yes, yes, yes, but where is the lighthouse?
I headed south a mile or so, and spotted the lighthouse to the north again.
Et voila. Like all lighthouses, this one has esoteric claims about being the oldest or longest at doing something or the other.
The view from the top must be incredible.
After finding the lighthouse, I went to the next access area to explore the beach. There were about ten of these bike racks here. They were all full about 90 minutes later. (I worried about leaving my fine rando steed here, but no one bothered it, hehe.)
There were gorgeous views everywhere. This is looking north. You can see the skyline of some New York City borough across the harbor.
Gratuitous photo of the daughter and me, much later this afternoon after I returned from Sandy Hook.
