just moved to union county, nj from somerset county, nj. although i am only 25 miles away from my previous home the difference is dramatic. no bike lanes, more cars, more pedestrians. the roads here dont go on for stretches without major intersections like out in somerset co.

where do you roadies ride around here? im familier with some roads especially near westfield, cranford, clark. and i have a decent idea of roads in the mountains.

just feels like when i go out i have to stick to the same routes if i want to stay out of traffics way.

http://www.njbikemap.com/

just moved to union county, nj from somerset county, nj.

That's a shame. ;) I'm back in union county after spending 10 years in hunterdon. I usually head toward Echo Lake Park and cross over 22 at New Providence Rd. and climb over the reservation. From there it's either west towards hunterdon via Warren/Martinsville or north towards Great Swamp/Bernardsville/Basking Ridge/Mendham. Either way, my time in union county is either a warmup or cooldown.

Mapmyride.com (http://www.mapmyride.com/) can search for routes by city name or show routes on the current displayed map.

For example, Springfield NJ (http://www.mapmyride.com/search?txtPageNumber=1&txtSortBy=&txtLocation=springfield%2C+nj&txtKeyword=&lstRouteTypeID=2&btnSearch=SEARCH+%3E)

Whatever your starting point, head into the Watchung reservation. If you want to stay close to home, there are enough rises for hill repeats, otherwise head to the Great Swamp and beyond. Rule of thumb for riding in Union County, south of Rt 22, lots of cars and flat, north of rt 22, some hills and lighter traffic, more varied scenery.