My favorite bike ride!  I do this ride about five or six times per year, and you're invited. 

We'll start at Pier 11 on the East River near Wall Street, we're catching the 8:15 Seastreak ferry to Highlands, New Jersey so you can't be a minute late (let's meet at 8:00 AM).  In Highlands our first section is along the Sandy Hook Bay trail, a pedestrian and bike trail right next to the water, and a spectacular 3 mile ride (That picture is me from when I took Sharon on this ride a few weeks ago).  We'll get to Atlantic Highlands to see the town, then turn around and head back to Highlands.  My preferred way back is by roads with hills, but Sharon hates hills so if you'd like to skip them you can return along the spectacular bay trail with her (OK, if everyone chooses the bay trail I will too...) In Highlands, we'll stop for brunch at Bay Avenue Bakery and Cafe.  In two months I'll be dreaming of their Southwest Omelette with Chef Mike's secret salsa but this Saturday I'll be enjoying one, and I'm sure you'll find something excellent too.  After brunch we'll head to Sandy Hook Beach.  We'll travel over the bay bridge and stop at the top for pictures of Sandy Hook, I've done this trip about 30 times and I still stop every time for a picture.  In Sandy Hook we'll head to one of the Northern beaches.  My favorite is Gunnison Beach, the New York City region's only official clothing optional beach, but North Beach is a regular beach that's right up the road so we can also go there.  One thing to think about, Gunnison Beach has a fairly deserted section along the ocean a mile long that's great for a walk, I always also bring a bag to pick up beach trash (I'll bring extras).  We need to leave the beach no later than 4:30 to make sure we get to Asbury Park before dark, it's an 18 mile ride.  Lots of restaurants in Asbury Park, my favorites are Brickwall, a great burger place with an excellent beer bar, Fish, no surprise a seafood restaurant, and Taka, Japanese with Sushi.  After dinner we can enjoy the town a bit, then head home on the New Jersey Transit train to Penn Station; trains home leave Asbury Park at 6:43, 8:45, 9:43, and 11:59 and take about two hours.

Anyone like to join me Saturday?

Departure:  Seastreak Ferry to Sandy Hook from Pier 11 - $27 plus $5.00 for round trip bike pass (i.e., two of us) - leaving on 8:15am ferry

Return:  New Jersey Transit train from Asbury Park  to Penn Station $16.25