My Edgartown Bike Trip, a day on Martha’s Vineyard

My Edgartown bike trip started with the short pedal from the Woods Hole Inn to the Martha’s Vineyard ferry terminal across the street.  It was the perfect day to explore the island, leaving from Woods Hole to the port of Oak Bluffs.

Ferry to Oak Bluffs

The ferry was about forty five minutes but it didn’t feel long with the cool ocean breeze, the view of distant shores and plenty of boats to watch from the ferry deck (passenger ticket $17 plus $8 for the bike).

Once in Oak Bluffs,  I took the scenic Beach Road towards Edgartown.  The five mile ride along Joseph Sylvia State Beach takes about an hour …  if you can resist stopping to dip your toes in those clear Atlantic waters.  The path does run along the main road, but don’t worry, it’s pretty flat with guardrails to separate bikes from vehicular traffic.

Jaws Bridge

The “Jaws Bridge” marks the Edgartown – Oak Bluffs line. As I neared the bridge made famous by the Steven Spielberg film, I saw shirtless beach lovers on the railings ready to jump. The Jaw’s Bridge is on the bucket list of many visiting Edgartown (Martha’s Vineyard) and you too can ignore the signs and leap into Nantucket Sound in this glorious location.

Beach Street flowed into Upper Main Street and the center of Edgartown where I found upscale shops, local galleries, epic summer flower displays and many friendly faces.  My favorite was the Backwater Trading Company, full of local crafts, designers creations, silly cards and original t-shirts.  What a hoot!

Edgartown Lighthouse

My Edgartown bike trip would not be complete without a jog over to the Edgartown Lighthouse Beach — less than a mile from the center of town.  A short walk out on a sandy peninsula, the lighthouse was smaller then I imagined, but still an incredible vantage point between the harbor and the sea. With many tourists milling about,  I had to wait for my perfect empty shot!

Atlantic Fish & Chop House

Before making the trek back, I decided to re-fuel with a lobster salad at the Atlantic Fish & Chop House. Their patio seating was an ideal spot to watch the high end yachts and old wooden sailboats jostling through ritzy Edgartown Harbor.

I feel lucky to be spending the summer day-tripping from the Woods Hole Inn to cool places like the bike path between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown , a convenient place from which to explore all of Cape Cod and the islands.

Want to follow in my footsteps?  Enjoy lunch at the Atlantic Fish & Chop House in Edgartown as part of a special package, details here.