- pinkants
- First Reviewer
- 5 out of 5
- Avg. Member Rating
- 2
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3
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Nantucket
- November 19, 2007
- Rated 5 of 5 by
nantucketeers from hartville,, Ohio
Highly recommend the biking trails near the Century House (Madaket) or any bike trails on Nantucket. Beautiful views and breezes. Best experience on Nantucket Island.
From journal Week to Nantucket - Stayed at Century House
Editor Pick
Biking on Nantucket
- August 13, 2006
- Rated 5 of 5 by
pinkants from boston, Massachusetts
With over 25 miles of bicycle paths (and more to come), biking is a great way to explore Nantucket. In addition, the island is only about 14 miles by 3.5 miles, so it is very manageable.
Currently, there are 10 bicycle paths to choose from, each marked with a color-coded sign. They are:
• Madaket Road
• Eel Point-Dionis Beach
• Cliff Road
• Polpis
• Milestone
• Nobadeer
• Old South Rd.
• Airport Rd.
• Surfside Beach
• Bartlett-Surfside
Each path varies (some are less than a mile long, some are more than 8 miles), so choose accordingly. However, some bike paths run along the NRTA's route (the island's shuttle service), so if you do get tired, you can probably just hop onto a shuttle. In addition, you may want to check with your bike rental store to see if they will pick you up.
Each paved bicycle path is separated from the roadway for an ease and convenience. This is great for children as they will not have to bike in the streets with cars. However, in some cases, in order to arrive at the path, you may have to bike on the street for a bit. I should warn you that it is quite a challenge to bike on the cobblestone streets! I decided to walk my bike on the sidewalk instead.
You must obey all one-way street and stop signs. There is no riding on the sidewalks--you must walk your bike. Most cars seem accustomed to biking tourists and will generally yield--especially if you are trying to cross a rotary/roundabout!
Off-road enthusiasts need not fret--there are many opportunities to go off-road. Just be certain to pick up a map so you won't get lost (most maps are free with the bike rental). My friends and I started on the Milestone bike path, but soon veered off onto dirt roads. These roads are often narrow with many rocks and branches jutting out. However, it is a very interesting way to explore Nantucket as some roads led us to magnificent residences.
Biking on Nantucket was a wonderful way to see the island. Breathtaking scenery, refreshing breezes, and blue skies made it a most enjoyable activity!
From journal A Day Spent Biking on Picturesque (but Pricey) Nantucket