Why you SHOULD NOT bike the East Coast Greenway- a review

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  • Опубликовано: 18 ноя 2024

Комментарии • 80

  • @steveretiredandcycling
    @steveretiredandcycling 2 года назад +25

    I cycled the East Coast Greenway from Key West to Connecticut. The majority of the "trail" in GA and SC (route 17) is dangerous as you experienced. As I traveled north I decided to use the Adventure Cycling route which is much better as you approach PA through Western CT. Then the East Coast Greenway gets better than the Adventure Cycling route from Hartford, CT through Maine. I don't recommend the ECG in GA, SC and Southern NC. Thank you for your video, all the best, Steve

  • @hejiranyc
    @hejiranyc 2 года назад +20

    I've been trying to tackle the ECG a segment at a time (whenever I can fit it into my busy life). In 2020 I rode from Savannah, GA to Key West, and last year I rode from Provincetown, MA to NYC. Georgia was AWFUL and, from what I can tell, South Carolina looks even worse in terms of routing on busy highways with no shoulder. By contrast, I found Florida to be mostly wonderful. The New England stretch I did was 1000% better/safer than Georgia and the highlight for me was Connecticut, which has phenomenal off-road bike trails, especially towards the northeast part of the state. So my take is that the ECG is all of the good, bad and ugly you can expect over a 3000-mile route. I just happen to believe that Georgia and South Carolina are the armpits of the route.

    • @livingbybike
      @livingbybike  2 года назад +5

      Yeah I think that is a good statement. Georgia was definitely the most dangerous place I biked on my trip. From dogs chasing me to lack of shoulders and bike lanes. It’s dangerous!

  • @johngrossbohlin7582
    @johngrossbohlin7582 2 года назад +7

    When my 15 year old son and I rode from FL to NY in 2013 we planned to use the ECG and/or ACA's Atlantic Coast route. We no sooner got started and couldn't cross the St. Mary's River into GA as the turn bridge was closed. Apparently DOT had agreed to notify ECG when they were actually going to close the bridge for repair but they didn't... That should have been a hint. As we went north 17 was under construction and all traffic was on the south bound side of the road. There were barrels on the shoulder and my son kept hitting them with his paniers as there was no place for us! I pulled the plug on the ECG and AC at that point and we went west and picked up 301. I had ridden 301 on my trip from FL to NY in 1986 and it proved to be a good route again... Stayed with it and then veered off to hit Williamsburg, VA. If I ride FL to NY again I'll use 301 again!

    • @livingbybike
      @livingbybike  2 года назад +1

      Dang! Yeah, it’s complicated and difficult. Sorry you experienced that! Hopefully it gets better soon.

  • @williamsimpson716
    @williamsimpson716 2 года назад +11

    You are correct about the route in South Carolina. It is simply too dangerous to consider from my standpoint. I drive on Highway 17 a lot and take notice of the areas where the Greenway uses that road. No shoulders or even sidewalks at all. VERY fast moving traffic on a very heavily traveled road. Bridges that have no room for cyclists to even walk their bikes much less ride and no real way to fix that. So if heading through SC on a long distance trip, steer clear of the eastern portion of the state. Western SC, on the other hand, is a cycling paradise. So much so that George Hincapie lives there because the quality of cycling is so good. In fact, he owns, in part (I think in part anyway, Sole owner perhaps?) an upscale Inn in Traveler's Rest geared towards serving cyclists. So, if traveling through SC, stay west!

    • @livingbybike
      @livingbybike  2 года назад +3

      Yes! So dangerous! Biking in the US really does put you on edge sometimes 😅

    • @Will-tm5bj
      @Will-tm5bj 15 дней назад

      I live in upstate sc. They say hwy 11 is a bike path, and there is a "lane" if you can call it that. But I would absolutely never even consider riding the roads around here. Its beautiful, but it's a roll of the dice with the drivers around here, it's bad enough in a car.
      I rode a little down my road, with has been freshly paved this year and I was terrified.
      The swamp rabbit trail, the doodle trail, and some spots are perfectly safe to ride and I stick to those

  • @s.j.5850
    @s.j.5850 2 года назад +13

    It makes you wonder if the people that design these trails/paths know anything about cycling? How hard is it to draw a line from point A to point B? Narrow surfaces, lack of side barriers, lack of signs, few authentic rest stops, breaks in the trail/path that put you onto a street with cars... More people would start biking (therefor a greater push for more access & funding) if the infrastructure was better designed.

    • @johnshaw8228
      @johnshaw8228 2 года назад +1

      People said similar about routes mapped out by Adventure Cycling Association. They said they went off Route and found other roads that were safer and quieter that went through areas that were every bit as interesting as the ACA route however, ACA does put people most of the time on roads that are quieter and safer. But I have read several complaints about their route on the Southern Tier. Let's face it, roads in America very seldom take into account that people will be traveling long distance by bicycle.

    • @livingbybike
      @livingbybike  2 года назад

      Yeah I know! I have no clue who designs these routes.

  • @1955RKE
    @1955RKE Год назад +3

    It is crazy the amount of money that is spent each year building and maintaining roads. You would think that the least that could be done is to build a safe bike path with the development of the road.

  • @hoosier120
    @hoosier120 3 года назад +7

    Great content. I'm about at Myrtle Beach as of now. Started in Bangor and ending up in Key West. I will never ride the east coast again. Ever! I'm an advanced rider. And honestly, I'm shocked I'm still alive. Got so much easier after getting into NC. Thanks

    • @marc6746
      @marc6746 2 года назад +1

      Having just finished (literally three days ago), I had nothing but good experiences on the road. East Coast is fine.
      I wore a yellow reflective vest, was respected by cars, and only had one "close call" in Savannah (they made a turn in front of me, I would've hit the side of their car, passenger side)
      PS - I'm a "novice" tourer

    • @johnshaw8228
      @johnshaw8228 2 года назад

      In 1990 I cycled Southeast Coastal Florida to Bangor Maine in 20 days of cycling. I went through without any problems. I believe things have changed since then. I have read journals by people who have stated the opposite of what you are saying. It's a matter of individual experiences.

    • @Timberbeartrail
      @Timberbeartrail 2 года назад

      I live near Bangor 😃

    • @livingbybike
      @livingbybike  2 года назад

      Yeah! The ECG needs work!

  • @johnshaw8228
    @johnshaw8228 2 года назад +5

    Agreed. I have cycled about 32,000 miles through 20 countries. In 1990 I bicycle-toured-camped from Stuart, Florida to Bangor, Maine in 20 days. More recently I looked into the so-called east coast greenway. I would not want to use it. It is overly convoluted, and far out of the way. I read a review of one man who used it. He said the seriously doubted the people who routed others onto some of those roads had ever cycled them. He said the roads were outright treacherous and dangerous. He said the ECG mappers and routers should be held legally accountable. I checked out the ECG thoroughly map-wise, and decided---Hell no. No way.

    • @livingbybike
      @livingbybike  2 года назад +1

      Yeah…. It’s not the best. And after cycling in Europe, I can confirm the ECG is trash 🫠

  • @RideAlongAdventures
    @RideAlongAdventures Год назад +1

    Fair assessment. I just rode Jacksonville to Ft Lauderdale. You were dead-on. I was scratching my head on why a totally busy road was selected when a side road with an actual bike lane wasn’t. I used the ACA Bike Route Navigator app which helped a little more. I appreciate the intent of the ECG organization but I agree with you to wait until more of it gets developed.

  • @dolittle6781
    @dolittle6781 15 дней назад

    Very nice overview of the ECG. It seems typical of most cycling travel routes in that it’s pretty much hit or miss as you pointed out. Even within a small or medium sized city, the types of roads, traffic styles, paths, lanes, bike ways, routes whatever you want to call them are all over over the place, a hodgepodge. Cycling infrastructure simply isn’t anywhere near as built up as automobile infrastructure. Your advice was on point. Do your homework, lots of it! Hopefully as time goes by cycling infrastructure will become much more efficient and safe-and easier to figure out. Honestly don’t think it’s wise to make long, solo trips on a bike-you’d be too vulnerable to many different things. Why not take someone with you? But people go solo all the time.

  • @dsa5394
    @dsa5394 Год назад +1

    In Komoot, the east coast Greenway and other bike routes are highlighted if you zoom in it will have ECG next to it. You need to have the cycling layer turned on. I rode from New Bern, NC to Richmond. I followed the ECG sometimes but used Komoot suggestions in areas I thought looked too busy. I agree it throws you on busy roads too often. We took Amtrak from Richmond to DC as I did not want to ride the Richmond Highway.

    • @livingbybike
      @livingbybike  Год назад

      Oh interesting, I never saw it on Komoot, but I’m glad it is there! And yeah ,the busy roads can be way too scary

  • @KenFernbach
    @KenFernbach Год назад +1

    I’m with you, being from Pennsylvania, trying to follow what I expected to be much more developed, I feel that the intention is there for better development, but will take some time- hoping that people will wake up to having much more respect and awareness for the planet.🧘🏼🙏

    • @livingbybike
      @livingbybike  Год назад +1

      Hopefully it is more developed where you are! I hope more and more bike trails and paths etc. are successfully being built in 2023

  • @cubgsan
    @cubgsan 2 года назад +1

    Good day to you.
    I am a senior rider on HONDA Cross Cub from Japan.
    Enjoying touring ,camping and video uploading.
    This is so nice adventure video!
    Awesome!!
    Full supported👍
    Thank you so much for sharing!!
    Have a nice day my friend!!

    • @livingbybike
      @livingbybike  2 года назад +1

      Thanks so much! Have a great day as well!

  • @regbillings4955
    @regbillings4955 9 месяцев назад

    The rail trails in Ontario Canada are great, crushed gravel dust fine gravel. also the roads here in Ontario have a wider shoulder than the USA. I try do two, 5 to 7 day long trips a year, with a bunch of shorter bicycle/camping trips. great video, i really enjoyed watching.

  • @pppjourneyonabike5992
    @pppjourneyonabike5992 2 года назад +1

    I previewed the ECG NYC to Wash DC in Google Earth Streetview. Not cycled it yet but studied that 360 ECG mile in detail.
    That section looks do-able. ECG goes through cities where there are urban city/parks trails & sidepaths. A mixture of main streets/roads, trails, bike lanes, sidepaths, sidewalks & crosswalks to maneuver some larger intersections.
    I would ride this section NYC to DC but know it is more urbanized/suburbs type riding.

    • @livingbybike
      @livingbybike  2 года назад

      Yeah I agree. The more developed areas are okay, but once you get out of them, you’re a bit stranded.

  • @millieatr
    @millieatr Год назад

    Sorry if i missed it in the video ,,,,,,,,,did you make it to Baltimore ?

  • @donaldwalter1317
    @donaldwalter1317 Месяц назад

    I did order the actual map set for the “East Coast Greenway” from Adventure Cycling many years ago. They don’t offer that anymore and from reading the maps I can understand why, the route is frought with high risk roads. It seemed made up with other bike trails patched together to form a route.
    The Carolian’s are noted as not safe to cycle (unfriendly drivers).
    I want to cycle a route to Alabama to visit my brother but creating a route by RWGPS is a possibility though it’s not going to be flat and not near east coast. 7:58

    • @livingbybike
      @livingbybike  Месяц назад

      yeah it's a bummer that the ECG is advertised as a route but isn't complete or very safe at times.... but hey, at least I got the crazy stuff out of the way and everything else feels like a breeze

  • @pbrown239
    @pbrown239 2 года назад +2

    The ECG has it's own map route app.

  • @TechTraction
    @TechTraction 2 года назад

    Very helpful review. I'm planning a long distance east coast ride and learning about the ECG from those who have done the ride is very helpful. Lot of great info in the comments as well. Thank you.

    • @livingbybike
      @livingbybike  2 года назад

      Thank you for the comment and support! Good luck with your upcoming trips!

  • @blott-mtb5528
    @blott-mtb5528 2 года назад +2

    Found this….because I can’t figure out how to follow the route lol.

  • @ReaganHasal
    @ReaganHasal 3 года назад +2

    Enjoyed watchong your video! Keep it up!!!

  • @robertbissell9311
    @robertbissell9311 2 года назад +1

    Ride with GPS makes it easy to convert to your Garmin

  • @Hootyhoo-jq9vq
    @Hootyhoo-jq9vq 2 года назад

    Smart, beautiful, and adventurous. What a lovely person.

  • @Mike-vd2qt
    @Mike-vd2qt 8 месяцев назад

    I've crossed the U.S. three times bike touring. In the south, drivers do not want cyclists on their roads. And the dangerous implementation of rumble strips has made the south unridable in random areas. Route developers like Adventure Cycling need to reevaluate their routes as traffic and rumble strips have increased in the Southeast. I walked long sections of grass along the southern tier ACA route.

  • @richardgressle2640
    @richardgressle2640 5 месяцев назад

    Anything changed in two years?

    • @princethewondercat
      @princethewondercat 4 месяца назад

      I will let you know in a few weeks Planning a trip from NYC to Hollywood Fl, I will be riding parallel to the coast most of the time, not using the ECG,made no sense when I saw it

  • @Highnoonshred
    @Highnoonshred 2 года назад

    How many miles did you do a day? 46 miles a day x 750 ish miles is 17 days

  • @stefanmader5634
    @stefanmader5634 2 года назад +1

    I recently rode south out of Richmond, VA, and it was terrifying! Avoid if you can! While most parts of the ECG in the last week or so since DC were really beautiful, this busy road made me wonder whether the people involved in planning this particular section actually rode it themselves or just used a map...? Three lane highway, then, suddenly, two more lanes merging from the right, me nowhere to go, no bikelane or shoulder, vehicles speeding past on my left and right, really scary. Avoid!

    • @livingbybike
      @livingbybike  2 года назад

      Yeah! The biking infrastructure in the US in general realllllyyy needs to be improved sometime soon

  • @davidgerescher5527
    @davidgerescher5527 Год назад

    Thank you for doing this video.

  • @bonefishboards
    @bonefishboards 2 года назад +1

    Well, South Carolina.... If it's not for an overly large, soot spitting pick-up truck, then why?

  • @BikeSeatPhilosopher
    @BikeSeatPhilosopher Год назад

    Before following any route, first consider if it's likely to meet your wants and needs. Is your goal to bike through cities? Boston, Bridgeport, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and DC are in the first 500 miles. When I tour and cycle, that's exactly what I avoid. That being said, the ECG route south of Philly alternately goes through slums and heavy industry. This is on ECG as just 15 miles west of Marcus Hook and Chester, the roads are quite nice.

  • @jasonzisser6441
    @jasonzisser6441 2 года назад

    Thanks for your video. I'm planning to ride the ECG and from what I've seen, that portion of NC and SC along route 17 is awful. Essentially, you can't hug the coast because of Camp LeJeune and have to go on Rt 17 which other commenters also referenced. I really want to ride the ECG but that section just isn't worth it. Probably not realistic, but the military base should allow a trail through it.

    • @livingbybike
      @livingbybike  2 года назад +1

      Yeah! Good luck with your trip! It can be hard to plan safe bike routes in the US

  • @mswarrior932
    @mswarrior932 2 года назад +3

    Thank you for the video!! I was thinking about riding the East Coast Greenway after I ride the Pacific Coast this summer!! But after thinking about it there's nothing really I want to see on the East Coast and after seeing your video I think I'll pick a different route!! Thank you!!!🌍🚴

    • @livingbybike
      @livingbybike  2 года назад +1

      I’m glad you found the video helpful!

    • @mswarrior932
      @mswarrior932 2 года назад

      @@livingbybike the only thing is I'm running out of routes!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🌎🚴

  • @dml5053
    @dml5053 2 года назад

    I'm shocked you didn't just download the app...it even gives you a route to get to the greenway....also I have done the ECG from Main to Ma and there were signs everywhere.It is a work in progress I agree, but the route through New England is amazing...

    • @livingbybike
      @livingbybike  2 года назад

      I didn’t know there was an app!

  • @craigshambaugh1918
    @craigshambaugh1918 Год назад +1

    Just go to Europe. In our life time we will only get half way there.

  • @markswishereatsstuff2500
    @markswishereatsstuff2500 10 месяцев назад

    I live in Baltimore and never heard of this greenway.

  • @kinguvclubz1
    @kinguvclubz1 2 года назад +2

    I’m so confused so you yourself didn’t take the East Coast Greenway but your video is telling people why they shouldn’t take the East Coast going away?

    • @livingbybike
      @livingbybike  2 года назад +2

      Honestly I would delete this video because I kind of agree with your sentiment (now looking back on it). But you’re not supposed to delete old content when you’re trying to grow your platform! So even though I agree with you I’m forcing myself to keep this video up

  • @Timberbeartrail
    @Timberbeartrail 2 года назад

    Are you car free or not😀

  • @bradleysuarez4
    @bradleysuarez4 2 года назад

    You are way braver than me sister

    • @livingbybike
      @livingbybike  2 года назад

      hahaa- bravery comes in many forms... my bravery comes from a desire to run away from something else

  • @bicycleutopia
    @bicycleutopia 11 месяцев назад +1

    east coast greenway is not complete. the south sucks. north of Richmond is ok IN SPOTS. typical of the failure of usa culture in general: i doubt the greenway will be finished in any meaningful, safe sense in the next 50 years. thats the usa!!! -- hopeless.

  • @timothy_i_did_not_loginhod3046
    @timothy_i_did_not_loginhod3046 2 года назад +2

    Sadly the greenway will NOT be completed in my LIFETIME and probably not in YOUR lifetime.
    BLESS YOUR HEART.
    I had to follow the instructions to generate a GPX file. Worst 90 seconds of my life.
    The GPX file was full of red dots. warnings about , no shoulders, traffic , rumble strips, ect..
    Your lack of planning and research is not really news. is it ?

    • @SmellyBones
      @SmellyBones 2 года назад +6

      No more news than your lack of manners.

    • @livingbybike
      @livingbybike  Год назад

      Yeah exactly! It is SO difficult to use, ugh.

  • @steveretiredandcycling
    @steveretiredandcycling 2 года назад +13

    I cycled the East Coast Greenway from Key West to Connecticut. The majority of the "trail" in GA and SC (route 17) is dangerous as you experienced. As I traveled north I decided to use the Adventure Cycling route which is much better as you approach PA through Western CT. Then the East Coast Greenway gets better than the Adventure Cycling route from Hartford, CT through Maine. I don't recommend the ECG in GA, SC and Southern NC. Thank you for your video, all the best, Steve

    • @williamsimpson716
      @williamsimpson716 2 года назад +1

      Check out Steve's RUclips channel! It's filled with good advice and excellent content. Steve is so down to earth. Kind of like your favorite uncle. And a hero for an old guy like me!

    • @steveretiredandcycling
      @steveretiredandcycling 2 года назад +1

      @@williamsimpson716 Hey William. Thank you for the compliment! I'm doing what I love and enjoy sharing in my own way. We are never too old to start new adventures. I hope you have many of your own adventures ahead of you. Life is awesome.. All the best, Steve

    • @livingbybike
      @livingbybike  2 года назад

      Thank you for sharing your insight as well!