Northeast - anyone out here from jersey?

Anyone ride CR-579 in Hunterdon county?

I've ridden some of that, not all. If I recall correctly, I usually take it for a mile or two between smaller roads that have less traffic. What section are you talking about?

Passaic and bergan county here.

Lotsa good riding in Bergen County if you stick to the north. (I never knew Bergen county had rural areas until my last tour there, and I grew up in Bergen!)

Lotsa good riding in Bergen County if you stick to the north. (I never knew Bergen county had rural areas until my last tour there, and I grew up in Bergen!)


i havent been in the area for awhile, but im back now, where are some good spots? im looking for some good riding and maybe some riding buddies

Here's my journal (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/ridinsohigh) of a tour through Passaic and Bergen, with parts of NY thrown in. It's gorgeous there, but very hilly.

Here's my journal (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/ridinsohigh) of a tour through Passaic and Bergen, with parts of NY thrown in. It's gorgeous there, but very hilly.

thank you, ill take a look at it

Union County , I ride mostly south of Rt. 22; Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Westfield, South Boundbrook areas, with a few ventures north of 22 near Berkley Heights and Summit. Lovely area north of 22 but the climb to get there is a killer!

You get used to it, eventually. Well, I did.

I usually head west of here. I go through Millburn, Livingston, Florham Park, and Chatham and sometimes farther. The hills are slightly more gradual than the ridge you're talking about.

I always see riders north and south of the "ridge" but never going up or down it. The climb gives me ample time to question my sanity.:D


You get used to it

Thanks for the encouragment!

It helps to find a route that isn't the steepest.

I find that any hill that I do regularly eventually becomes easier. The hardest one I rode regularly was East Clinton Ave in Tenafly. At the time, I lived in Manhattan and worked in Tenafly and commuted by bike. It was about two miles uphill on the way back home, and I usually had to stop and rest on the way up.

Why don't you join me for a ride? I'm free on weekdays and weekends, as I'm self-employed. If one of us brings a car, we can start somewhere nice and take it from there.

Why don't you join me for a ride? I'm free on weekdays and weekends, as I'm self-employed. If one of us brings a car, we can start somewhere nice and take it from there.

Me too!

Here's my journal (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/ridinsohigh) of a tour through Passaic and Bergen, with parts of NY thrown in. It's gorgeous there, but very hilly.

Hey that looked like a great ride Neil. I think I will have my bikes here at the end of May. Then you'll see some pics from up here in Canuckland.

Neil and Andrew (and anyone else),

I think I'm free Saturday. How about meeting at the Great Swamp? I'd like to ride from there to Mendham and back. We should be able to cook up a circular route.

I'll let you know soon if Saturday is a good day for me.

How fast do you guys go? I'm not sure about myself. I think I cruise at about 15 or 16 mph. I can easily slow down if you need. I can go a little faster, too.

Tom, 15 is good, I like to look around a bit as I spin. Saturday morning at great Swamp is good, I need to be back early afternoon though. I've also got Friday open this week. Which ever works, I'm ready. You set the time and route and meeting place.

Hello!
Camden County



<<<<

I'll be taking the train. The Maplewood train station is closest, correct? What time? (Its two hours on the train for me, so please, not too early!)

Wait, that's crazy. You'd have to take a big V-shaped route. Let me think of something else for us.

I could put together a 35 mile loop begining and ending in Rahway, I'm 2 blocks from the RR Station. In the mornings the traffic is not too bad, definatley nowhere to ride two abreast but reasonably safe. Some nice older nieghborhoods with beautiful lawns to look at plus two parks.

Or-

From Rahway we could shoot striaght up Westfield Ave to the Watchung Reserve ( a flat 10 miles) where we could learn to appreciate the "ridge"

Howzabout this. Neil and Andrew, can you get yourself to Scotch Plains somehow? I can pick you up there, drive us to Gillette, and we can start riding towards Mendham.

Tom & Neil,

It would be just as easy to meet you in Gillette. Neil could you get to the Rahway Station by 8;30am? I don't have a rack but I do have a big Crown Vic. One bike in the back seat, one in the trunk and we are good to go! Mind you, I have to be back in Rahway by 2pm, so maybe Gillette by 9am? The Gillette to Mendham ride looks nice and rural, I'm really looking forward to it.

I was thinking of driving to Gillette to save Neil the trouble of climbing the ridge. Now here's an idea. Neil can cycle from Highland Park to Dunellen and catch the train to Gillette, and we could meet there.

Is 9am at the Station a good meeting time in Gillette?

hey guys im from edison here and new to the sport. looking to meet some people to ride with. saturday i rode 26 miles from my house to garwood, westfield and tamaquas park. if anyone is interested in riding friday saturday sunday or monday please let me know.. thanks

Andrew, 9am is good for me. Neil?

School, join us.

I used to live in Edison. Not much good riding in that area, unfortunately. The road and the path beside the D&R canal are nice, though.

Andrew, 9am is good for me. Neil?

School, join us.

I used to live in Edison. Not much good riding in that area, unfortunately. The road and the path beside the D&R canal are nice, though.

where are you meeting and when?

9am Saturday at the train station in Gillette.

Tom, Neil, School,

9am at the Gillette train Station, see everyone Saturday.

School,

I'm in Rahway, and usually do a circuit which sounds close to you: South Ave through Garwood, Martine to Scotch Plains to Terril Rd, to Rarirtan and back down Inman to Rahway. Perhaps we can meet up Friday?

It would be just as easy to meet you in Gillette. Neil could you get to the Rahway Station by 8;30am?

I can be at the Rahway station at either 8:49 or 7:49.


Now here's an idea. Neil can cycle from Highland Park to Dunellen and catch the train to Gillette, and we could meet there.

This actually makes the most sense for me.

Y'all tell me which to do, it's all good.

Tom, Neil, School,

9am at the Gillette train Station, see everyone Saturday.

School,

I'm in Rahway, and usually do a circuit which sounds close to you: South Ave through Garwood, Martine to Scotch Plains to Terril Rd, to Rarirtan and back down Inman to Rahway. Perhaps we can meet up Friday?

wow thats so funny small world. thats almost the exact same route i take. i live off old raritan rd which is off of inman. im 100 down with meeting up friday pm me with some contact info

Neil,

Can you get to the Gillette station around 9am on Saturday?

Neil,

Can you get to the Gillette station around 9am on Saturday?

You will like riding with Neil. He is one cool guy.

baj, did you live here before?

Neil,

Can you get to the Gillette station around 9am on Saturday?

I can, but it's a long train ride with three connections - I'd rather meet you in Rahway if you're offering a ride.

You will like riding with Neil. He is one cool guy.

Thanks! Maybe we a need to move Saturday's ride to Toronto. :)

Neil,

The offer stands, I'll pick you up at the Rahway Station at 7:49 and well head up to Gillette. Should put us their by 8:30 and ready to ride by 9. Look for a Silver Crown Victoria, I'll be in a beard and black shorts, Meet me on the plaza side of the station, it faces the new 15 story building. PM me if you are carrying a cell phone and well exchange #'s

Neil,

The offer stands, I'll pick you up at the Rahway Station at 7:49 and well head up to Gillette. Should put us their by 8:30 and ready to ride by 9. Look for a Silver Crown Victoria, I'll be in a beard and black shorts, Meet me on the plaza side of the station, it faces the new 15 story building. PM me if you are carrying a cell phone and well exchange #'s

Okay, sounds great!

baj, did you live here before?

I did indeed. I lived in Mercer County (Ewing) for 30 years, with the exception of a 3 year stint in Burlington City along the Delaware. I now live in Canada between Toronto and Niagara Falls. I moved up here this past December during the first blizzard.

Cheers,

Brian J.

Thanks! Maybe we a need to move Saturday's ride to Toronto. :)

My bikes get here at the end of May....woooo hooooooo!!!

A big "thank you" to Tom for putting together a beautiful ride for Saturday! I still think it's sick that you were smiling as we climbed the mountian into Mendham, but I think I'm begining to understand. A learned alot from observing Dan's posture and his even spinning in the climbs, made the last climb back to Gillette a peice O cake. The wandering part of the ride was the best! Who Knew GPS maps could be 40 years old! The fat kid with the glasses had a blast! Thanks again and I hope we can ride again some day!

Andrew

Wow guys, it looks like everyone is having a good time. In my 3 weeks of cycling I've ALMOST made it up to the point where I could hang with a group. Its difficult to judge how I'd do in a moderately flat ride, since the terrain around me up in Bergen County is EXTREMELY hilly, and I'm just not in great enough shape to climb like a pro yet. So far I've been averaging between 13-15mph (yes, I know its really slow) over 40-50 miles. Unfortunately, I was hit by a car on Thursday, and my 3 week old bike is destroyed. I survived (luckily) with only some decent bruises and a nice amount of cuts. I'll be back pedaling again as soon as the driver's insurance pays to replace my bike, shorts, and all the other goodies that were damaged in the accident. Hopefully once I'm in a little bit better shape I'll be able to join you guys, since those rides in Gilette/Stirling are through awesome areas. Before my accident I made the ride from Montvale, down through Ho-ho-kus, Totowa, Cedar Grove, Chatham, Berkeley Heights, etc. down to Bound Brook, and it was an awesome time. I can't wait to get back in it and meet up with some of you.

Ocean County.

Any other shore riders here?

Metz1182, you sound pretty strong, going 13-15mph and for 40-50 miles in a day. I'd call you a "B" rider. That's what I am. I can go faster, but not as long, because I get neurological pain if I go too long.

I hope you heal fast and get back on a new bike. Sorry about your calamity.

Tom- Thanks for the well wishing. Like I say, my climbing needs work, my cadence is extremely erratic, I huff and puff a lot, and enjoy every red light i come to, but I do love to ride, and I'm going to keep pushing to up my pace. If there are a lot of ascents I find myself slipping to about an 11-12 mph pace. Either way I'm really pushing the driver's insurance company so i can get back on the road soon (and hopefully with upgraded equipment). Another month on the bike and I think I'll be looking you guys up so I can keep pace comfortably.

Central NJ right here!

metehan, where in Central NJ? That term is used for the area between Union and Trenton, which is a large area.

Metz, there will always be riders weaker than you and stronger than you, no matter how much stronger you get from now on. Don't let the stronger riders discourage you.

South Plainfield

Tom- haha, I don't let anyone discourage me. When I get on that bike its just me and the road (and unfortunately those pesky automobiles that the lazy folks use to get around lol). That's what I love about cycling... I don't need anyone to validate me or what I'm doing, I can just get on a bike and go somewhere. And then go somewhere else, and eventually I end up home, feeling good. There's just something about getting around via human horsepower. Love it.

beach comber, i am a shore rider, i ride route 9, route 72, 539 a lot, also do Island Beach State Park sometimes when i want to change things up and deal with some serious wind. Lately i have only been riding 1-2 times a week, usually between 30-50 miles each ride.

metehan, where in Central NJ? That term is used for the area between Union and Trenton, which is a large area.

Metz, there will always be riders weaker than you and stronger than you, no matter how much stronger you get from now on. Don't let the stronger riders discourage you.

haha

I don't know why I said that, I live in Edison, work in Manhattan and go to Rutgers Business School in Newark but currently on summer vacation :D

haha

I don't know why I said that, I live in Edison, work in Manhattan and go to Rutgers Business School in Newark but currently on summer vacation :D

Metehan, I'm in Highland Park, call me if you want to ride sometime.

haha

I don't know why I said that, I live in Edison, work in Manhattan and go to Rutgers Business School in Newark but currently on summer vacation :D


im in edison also and im off the next 4 days lets ride man