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Message |
    
Kara
Citizen
Username: Kara
Post Number: 9
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, April 16, 2006 - 10:09 pm: | 
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I am trying to train for a 200 mile bike ride later this summer. Can anyone suggest bike paths? I really prefer not to ride with regular car traffic (despite having lived in this area for several years, I am still not used to the aggressive driving). Tried out a portion of the Patriot Path in Morristown today and will definitely be back. Still, can't help but yearn for the lengthy paved bike trails of my youth (grew up in the Seattle area).
Thanks much! |
SOSully
Citizen
Username: Sullymw
Post Number: 1236
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 17, 2006 - 9:24 am: |
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The South Mountain reservation is great |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13688
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, April 17, 2006 - 9:32 am: |
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The 200 mile bike ride will be on roads, right? I think the training has to build up your nerves for dealing with traffic. You can't simulate a 200 mile road ride on a path or trail.
But you can find some lightly travelled roads, which are a pleasure to cycle. Check these rides. The ride around the Great Swamp is close enough to start and end at your home. I'm often eager to find a riding partner, so let me know if you'd like to go with me.
For the past two years, I've taken the NYC 100-mile ride in September. I usually don't train adequately for it, so I'm hurting by the end of the ride. (We do it all in one day.) So I could really use some extra rides this spring and summer.
You can privateline me or email me at noglider@pobox.com
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Ponsonby
Citizen
Username: Elizabeth_s
Post Number: 50
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 17, 2006 - 3:43 pm: |
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if you do a google search, you'll find that the state has brochures on various bike paths. You can check off the ones you want and they send them right out. (I filed them away for the future!)
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Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 2907
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 17, 2006 - 4:20 pm: |
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There are some very decent bike paths in Union county. I believe Echo Lake Park in Union (Westfield? Mountainside?) has some good bike trails. And it looks like the paths wind through several parks in the area. |
bklyntonj
Citizen
Username: Bklyntonj
Post Number: 666
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, April 17, 2006 - 5:19 pm: |
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Where in the South Mountain reservation are these trails? How do I get to them from S.O. Ave? |
Tom N
Citizen
Username: Tjn
Post Number: 101
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Monday, April 17, 2006 - 8:57 pm: |
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Tom R,
I have been browsing over the same link you suggested for as while now as my brother in law is coming here from Wisconsin for a week and wants to do some 20 to 40 mile rides with my wife and I. Even though he grew up here I think he forgets that it's much easier to find longer, rural type rides in Wisconsin than NJ. Anyway, which of those from the NJ link have you done and what where your likes and dislikes?
The thing that bothers me about a lot of the routes I see for NJ rides is there are so many turns you seem to have to look out for. I know they make some kind of handlebar clip for small directional notes but the thought of trying to read small type while riding doesn't thrill me. |
Mummite
Citizen
Username: Mummite
Post Number: 234
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, April 17, 2006 - 9:38 pm: |
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American Diabetes Association is having a few rides throughout NJ that could help build up the mile power and raise cash for a good cause! (From 10 to 100 miles). PL me if you want to join a local company's team for the Morristown ride.
http://tour.diabetes.org/site/PageServer?pagename=TC_homepage
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SOSully
Citizen
Username: Sullymw
Post Number: 1241
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 8:41 am: |
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Bklyn: make a left on SO Ave and just past the tall apartment tower on the left (I think it is called The Top), there is an entrance to reservation. I saw a bicycle race up there a few weeks ago |
bklyntonj
Citizen
Username: Bklyntonj
Post Number: 668
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 9:00 am: |
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Thanks SOSully. I'll give it a try with my daughter. |
SOSully
Citizen
Username: Sullymw
Post Number: 1242
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 9:14 am: |
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Yes and the view of the city and the valley below is great |
James
Citizen
Username: Mcgregorj
Post Number: 107
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 9:52 am: |
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I'll second Tom's suggestion of the great swamp. The state puts out a pamphlet for the actual loop around the swamp (maybe 30 miles for the whole thing - quiet roads).
Here's how I get there from SO/Maplewood:
Ride into Millburn (Ridgewood to Glen, follow Glen to Old Short Hills Road, amke a right. Left onto Parsonage Hill Road. Follow to Passaic Ave, turn left. Head into Chatham, turn right on 124, then your first left onto Fairmount. Fairmount to Meyersville, then right onto New Vernon and you're there!
It's a great ride. |
blackcat
Citizen
Username: Blackcat
Post Number: 567
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 12:10 pm: |
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The Delaware-Raritan Canal path is nice,long and mostly flat. Also the Peterskill Path -in Somerset? These are carriage trails so it's not paved. I wouldn't waste my time in South Mountain for a serious bike ride. You will get pretty bored with the "allowable" bike route. Go to the city along the west side. The path starts downtown and goes up the west side. You have to share the path with rollerbladers but most of the time you are separated from the pedestrians-who have their own path. |
Joseph Cammarata
Citizen
Username: Jcammarata
Post Number: 5
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 1:25 pm: |
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I would definitely take the horsetrail on the Delaware river that starts around New Hope and goes for miles along the Delaware into upper Pennsylvania.
Absolutely beautiful! |
cannuck
Citizen
Username: Cannuck
Post Number: 60
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 4:08 pm: |
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Great Swamp, as well as the other back-roads west of Madison are great cycling. The roads out in Bernardsville / Mendham are great as well. Jame's directions will get you to these places. Lots of horse farms, very scenic. The best way to discover them to is to follow your handlebars and get lost!
Be careful riding in the reservation - bikes are actually banned on those trails - a huge shame actually.
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13745
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 4:22 pm: |
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Tom N, yes, there are a lot of turns. Some cyclists make "cue sheets" which give turn by turn instructions. They tape or strap these to their handlebars. Of course, choose the appropriate font size to your needs. But that's just the way it is here in the northeast, with twisty roads. I recommend bringing a map, too, since it's easy to miss a turn, rendering the directions useless.
Someone from this thread emailed me and wants to go on a 15 mile ride. I responded, saying that 2pm this Saturday works for me. If you're game, let me know. If he (or someone else) accepts, we will start from Maplewood. I am reachable at noglider@pobox.com
I know it sounds odd, but I'm fairly anti-bike-path. Paths that are exclusively for bikes generally don't work. For one thing, it's too tempting for pedestrians, skaters, etc to use it. So you end up with people using a narrow path at wildly varying speeds. Plus, skaters sway from side to side, while cyclists generally don't. For another thing, paths eventually have to intersect sidewalks and roads. They are not designed for good visibility. There are more accidents at these intersections than on roads! Also, because paths are narrow, the visibility is bad, leading to accidents.
John Forrester wrote an excellent book called Effective Cycling. Not sure if it's still in print. It tells you how to use public roads without getting hurt, without frying your nerves, and without annoying others. It's possible to be safe and have a good time.
I'm happy to give road use tips to anyone who rides with me. Some practices are counter-intuitive. For example, inexperienced cyclists tend to hug the edge of the road too closely. In fact, the danger of being hit from behind in the day by a motor vehicle is tiny. You are in danger when you weave into and out of the roadway than when you occupy a visible part of a traffic lane.
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Eric
Citizen
Username: Ericactive
Post Number: 92
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 8:56 am: |
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I have ridden most of the routes that Tom linked to: http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/commuter/bike/bikemaps.shtm
I highly recommend them. They are very scenic with very little traffic.
The Round Valley Roundabout has a few great climbs.
The Old Mine Road Ride is really pretty with lots of options for additional miles.
In addition to these rides there is a nice 18 mile loop up at High Point State Park (http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/highpoint.html). Park by the Sawmill Lake campground. You can add a few miles and a nice climb by going up to the monument.
I agree with Tom that some bike paths can be more dangerous than roads but the rails-to-trails like the Columbia Trail out of High Bridge has very little traffic. Do a search at http://www.traillink.com for info and more trails. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13747
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 4:18 pm: |
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Eric, are you my neighbor?
Is Old Mine Rd the one at the Delaware Water Gap park? That's very challenging terrain! I once rode about 50 miles there on the hottest day of the year. It was tough, but it was also breathtakingly beautiful?
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