Need advice - NJ

[cmtbiz]

Hello all. 

I just joined and signed up for membership with Adventure Cycling. I have been a long time mountain biking (more of a trail riding).  The furthest travel I tried by myself alone for about a max of 25 miles each way on a trip.  I am sure that is just peanuts as compared to the seasoned bikers around here.  I have riding for many years but stopped for about 2 years.  I am trying to get back to riding my mountain bike, as you all know I am getting older now (48).  =)
Maybe if I saved enough $$, I will try to get myself a road bike next year.

But anyway, I was wondering if someone can help me out where to start my mini tour. I live in New Jersey and only comfortable to travel the vicinity of my state of NJ or maybe along the Northern Mid Atlantic Area.  I am overwhelmed and kind  of confused with the available bike travel maps available at the Adventure Cycling website.  I am not sure which one I should get to start my trip for the coming Spring next year.  I will probably try to convince a buddy to get along with my plan bike touring. =)  Going for bike travelling, I know I have to push myself more than that 25 miles.. I can do it... I know I can.. =D

Thanks for listening.

[ezdoesit]

I live in NJ and welcome to the site.-:)

Try this for a bike tour in NJ
http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/commuter/bike/pdf/highpointcapemay6.pdf

[cmtbiz]

hi ex.. thanks for the info.  I will check that out. =)

[JHamelman]

Hi cmtbiz,

Welcome to bicycle travel and Adventure Cycling!

I'm not sure where in NJ you are but you might want to take a peek at these two Bikeovernights in NJ for inspiration:

http://bikeovernights.org/archives/category/new-jersey

The only mapped routing we have in New Jersey is the Atlantic Coast Route, Section 2: http://www.adventurecycling.org/store/index.cfm/product/7_10/atlantic-coast-section-2.cfm

Hope this helps get you going.

Best,
.Jennifer.

[indyfabz]

Where in NJ are you? I ride in Hunterdon and Warren Counties fairly often in the fall, spring and summer. Lots of great riding in those areas. Did the Black Bear Century for the second time this year.

For scenery and mostly quiet roads, riding from Port Jervis, NY, pretty close to Montague, NJ, through the Delaware Water Gap NRA and then continuing down the river makes for a very nice mini-tour. I did Port Jervis to Philadelphia last May. This is part of ACA's Atlantic Coast Route. There is camping on route just outside of Port Jervis, at Worthington State Forest near Delaware Water Gap, PA and at a couple of private campground south of there. Spring is a terrific time to go as there is very little traffic in DWG compared to summer. Another nice thing is that, for the most part, the hills are not that bad, although there are two nasty ones in the NRA. Not real long, but steep in places. Port Jervis to Worthington is about 35 miles, so you can ease into it. The camground at Worthington is right along the river. And south from Frenchtown, NJ you can take a nicely-surfaced trail as far south as Trenton.

Send me a PM if you would like more info and possibly some other ideas based on where you are in NJ.

[cmtbiz]

Hi.. I live in Monroe Township - Middlesex county.  Currently i only have my Mointain Bike.  I couldnt join my friends which most of them ride with road bikes.

Thanks for the info and I will check those.

[indyfabz]

People tour on MTBs. I crossed the country with a group of people, one of whom rode a full-susppension MTB towing a B.O.B. trailer. My GF's first tour (in '09) was on a MTB. Montana, British Columbia and Alberta back into Montana.

If you could get a ride to Port Jervis, you could follow the route I suggested to Lambertville then stay on the D&R canal path. That would take you pretty close to home. There is also train service to PJ from Seacaucus Jct. I was able to rent a car from Philly. Surprisingly, Avis offered one-way rental to PJ.

You could also take the D&R system to Frenchtown and then make your way to Spruce Run recreation area, which opens May 1, camping at Upper Black Eddy, PA along the way. The camping area at Spruce Run is on the reservoir. Heard and saw some loons when we stayed there last Easter. If you were to stay there two nights you could take a day ride out and back on the nearby Columbia Trail, from High Bridge to Califon and beyond. Very pretty, especially during the spring when things are blooming. I can get you from Frenchtown to Spruce Run without too much climbing, but some climbing is unavoidable.

[obie119]

I have done many short tours on my mountain bike!  Definitely for a starter tour I would consider some of the areas near the Delaware River.  It's just lovely; I particularly love the area just north of Delaware Water Gap. 
(obie, originally from Bergen County)

[indyfabz]

I have been corresponding with the OP via PM. Sounds like he might be interested in the ACA section in NJ. One word of advice for anyone else who is: The upper section of Old Mine Rd. between U.S. 206 and Dingman's Ferry/CR 650 is in pretty bad shape in places. Some pot holes (some big) and ruts. During an organized century in October I talked to a couple who lives on that section. They expect it to get worse if the winter is bad due to plowing. It's still worth riding, however, The nice thing is that there is usually so little trraffic you can usually dodge road hazards without having to worry about cars. The fall can be tricky. Downed leaves obscured some of the road defects. NPS 615 from Wallpack south is in pretty good shape. The lower section of Old Mine from the end of NPS 615 to the top of the climb is banged up. The descent to Millbrook and the rest of Old Mine all the way to I-80 is in decent shape. Definitely obey the seemiingly out of place traffic light near the end. As the sign warns, the road gets extremely narrow. There is no room for a vehicle and a bike to pass with any degree of safety, hence the uni-drectional traffic.

[Bike Hermit]

Hi cmtbiz,

Welcome to bicycle travel and Adventure Cycling!

I'm not sure where in NJ you are but you might want to take a peek at these two Bikeovernights in NJ for inspiration:

http://bikeovernights.org/archives/category/new-jersey

The only mapped routing we have in New Jersey is the Atlantic Coast Route, Section 2: http://www.adventurecycling.org/store/index.cfm/product/7_10/atlantic-coast-section-2.cfm

Hope this helps get you going.

Best,
.Jennifer.

ACA's Bike Overnight is a great site. An overnight trip can be good practice. You can learn how to pack, what to take and how the bike handles and get it all sorted before going on a longer trip. And overnight trips can be excellent escapes to recharge the mental batteries!