Northeast - Looking for hills in/near NJ
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Crabster
08-13-09, 09:38 AM
Hi all,
I live near Cape May NJ. The only 'semblence to hills around here are the bridges heading into North Wildwood and Cape May. While fun, the heavy summer traffic makes it not so fun. Can anyone recommend an area within a reasonable distance that would feature a variety of hills and safe for biking with little traffic? Thanks!
Ken Roberts
08-13-09, 05:57 PM
I'd guess the closest interesting hills to Cape May would something west or north of Philadelphia -- so ask the Pennsylvania riders.
In New Jersey, I think the closest mountain with some sort of steep road is called "Sourland Mt", and the road I've heard of is Dutchtown Zion Rd, like on this map (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Dutchtown+Zion+Rd,+NJ&sll=39.863371,-74.998169&sspn=1.066749,1.463928&ie=UTF8&ll=40.451519,-74.730721&spn=0.066097,0.091496&z=13).
But looks like there's no straight-ish way to drive to there from Cape May.
Ken
Go to njbikemap.com, then to "Map Key", then, in the right-hand column, "Highest Points". This list highest points and biggest climbs in each county. You are REALLY far from any significant hills in NJ.
The Sourlands is a ridge that runs from north of Princeton over to the Delaware River at Lambertville. If you've not been to Lambertville/New Hope, PA, it's worth a day trip. Lots of nice hills in the Lambertville area. There's a nice little bike shop in Lambertville, Pure Energy, that could help you with routes.
Crabster
08-16-09, 08:51 PM
Thanks guys!
Go to njbikemap.com, then to "Map Key", then, in the right-hand column, "Highest Points". This list highest points and biggest climbs in each county. You are REALLY far from any significant hills in NJ.
The Sourlands is a ridge that runs from north of Princeton over to the Delaware River at Lambertville. If you've not been to Lambertville/New Hope, PA, it's worth a day trip. Lots of nice hills in the Lambertville area. There's a nice little bike shop in Lambertville, Pure Energy, that could help you with routes.
+1. Basically, the hills start just south of Lambertville and run to the NE from there. Every road out of Lambertville has good hills on it, and it's hard to go wrong around there, at least if you stay off the busier roads.
roadiejorge
08-20-09, 09:39 AM
When I was in Wildwood Crest this year I enjoyed the flats, but I can see how someone would want something a bit more vertical than the bridges.
gepilling
08-22-09, 05:07 PM
You might benefit from using the Terrain feature on Google Maps if you want to plan out a route with hills ahead of time. It displays topographical elevation lines and shading for hills.
Head to north western NJ and HIGH-POINT state park the highest point in NJ. I think it's 1840 ft elevation at the top by the monument. You can ride right up to the monument. If you start down by the river where the elevation is only a couple of hunderd feet the climb will be about 1500 feet or more. Nice climb for 3-4 miles then the view at top is great if it's a clear day. I did this one last week as part of a bike tour.