CAPE COD BICYCLE RAIL TRAIL

 Bicycling is wonderful on Cape Cod, especially with the Rail Trail being so close to the Inn.  Now one can even bike to Chatham.  The Cape Cod Rail Trail follows a former railroad right-of-way for 22 miles through the towns of Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham and Wellfleet. Its paved surface, few hills, and well-marked automobile crossings make it ideal for cyclists. The trail has a wide unpaved shoulder on one side to accommodate horseback riding, walkers, and runners.

After many years in the works, the Cape Cod Rail Trail Chatham Spur from Harwich town line to beautiful downtown Chatham is doable.  You can start at Route 134 in Dennis, or Harwich Center.  Starting at Morton Road off Route 28 in South Chatham, the new Spur of the Cape Cod Rail Trail runs for four miles to downtown Chatham.  The only confusion occurs at the airport where you must turn right and bike along George Ryder Road for 2300 yards to a left after the VFW.  For more information try www.capecodtoday.com/print.php?sid=107

There are many opportunities to get off the trail and visit a beach. Food and water are also readily available and public restrooms can be found at Nickerson State Park, Salt Pond Visitors Center at Cape Cod National Seashore and the National Seashore Headquarters. If you do not have a bike, bike rentals are available at many points along the way. For people with disabilities, a limited number of hand-cycles are available for rent at specific bike concessions. For more information call Nickerson State Park at 508-896-3491.

• Arnold’s, Provincetown - 508-487-0844
• Bayside bicycles, Truro - 508-487-5735
• Black Duck, South Wellfleet - 508-349-9801
• Gale Force, Provincetown - 508-487-4849
• Idle Times, Eastham - 508-255-8281
• Idle Times, Wellfleet - 508-349-9161
• Little Capistrano, Eastham - 508-255-6515
• Nelson’s, Provincetown - 508-487-8849
• Orleans Cycle, Orleans - 508-255-9115
• Provincetown Bikes - 508-487-8735

Provincetown

An exhilarating way to see the dunes and beaches is by bike.  There are about eight miles of paved bicycle trails winding through the dunes, and the experience of riding through this wilderness of sandy dunes and cool, shaded woodland is much like skiing.  There are a number of bicycle rental shops in Provincetown.

Martha’s Vineyard Biking

Biking is a popular way to explore the Vineyard.  An extensive network of bicycle paths and routes links most down-island visitor destinations.  There are no bike paths in Chilmark or Aquinnah; riding conditions there are challenging with narrow, curved, hill roads.  Bikes can be rented on the Island.  Two bikes can be carried on the front of each VTA bus.

Use bicycle paths whenever possible.  On roads, ride single file, on the pavement, close to the side of the road, avoiding sandy shoulders.  Be careful, bikes skid easily on sand.  Leave gaps to allow passing cars to pull in.

Nantucket Biking

Nantucket's small size, flat terrain, and scenic beauty provide an ideal environment for bicycling. There are over 24 miles of bicycle paths on the island which include:

• Surfside Road Bicycle Path
• Madaket Road Bicycle Path
• Milestone ('Sconset) Road Bicycle Path
• Cliff Road Bicycle Path
• Polpis Road Bicycle Path
• Eel Point Road Bicycle Path
• Airport Road Bicycle Path

These paths are separated from the adjacent roadways, provide convenient access to many areas of the island, and are an enjoyable way to explore the entire island and closely view its natural beauty.