go_skins

I have been riding in and around my local area for awhile and I am
A. getting bored of the same loops and
B. tired of almost getting killed my absent minded drivers on narrow/busy routes riding alone.

Does anyone have a favorite riding spot in the Northern NJ area (Passaic/Bergen Counties) or are there any group rides that I could meet up with for evening rides after work?

I ride about 15mph average so I am looking for a more novice group to ride with because all of my local shop rides are well above 20mph+ and I am not there yet physically.

Any input would be appreciated.

Ride safe.

cc_rider

When I'm back in NJ visiting my parents, I like to ride northern Bergen County - Ridgewood, Ramsey, Mahwah, Suffern, Chestnut Ridge, Saddle River.
Some roads are busy, some are quiet. I don't a specific route, but if I come up with one I'll post it.

go_skins

thanks, I ride in Ridgewood sometimes as well. Nice area.

JunkYardBike

This is a great resource for planning routes, as it is coded for traffic volume: https://www.njbikemap.com/

You might also want to join a local club. This particular club, which I admittedly know nothing about, seems to have cue sheets available to members: https://www.btcnj.com/

I'm originally from Kinnelon, so I also suggest you try riding west a bit, into Kinnelon/Rockaway and even north into West Milford. Lots of hills for you there!

Oh, and to increase your safety on the roads in this area, it's probably best not to wear a Skins jersey while you ride!

cc_rider

Grew up in Ridgewood. Lots of hills on the west side of town, but good work out.
Here's a loop I've used. Most of the roads aren't too busy.
https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3533565
Saddle River Road (east or west) is one of my favorite rides.
The lower loop through Ridgewood has some good hills and a great view of NYC from The Crest.

JunkYardBike

If you don't want to go too far from Pompton Lakes, there are also some nice roads just south in Jacksonville and Towaco (Pequannock and Montville I think). Check the NJBikeMap. Jacksonville and Pine Brook are very nice roads with relatively low traffic.

Jay H

There is some good loops around Kinnelon/Denville area, Boonton Ave, Powerville Road, Rockaway-Dover, Splitrock Road, etc..

I also do a nice loop around Bloomingdale, like Glenwild Road-Otter Hole Road-West Brook Road->ringwood Ave, with great options of a short 17 mile road to doing over a hundred by going up through Cupsaw, Erskine Lakes, Ringwood SP, up into Sloatsburg NY, into Harriman State Park and back.. it's easily over 100 miles if you so chose or as short as 17ish miles if you simply go back down Ringwood into Bloomingdale and skip the lakes...

Jay

jalbri

Go to ridewithgps.com. Just enter your starting point and the length you want. The rides that come up are complete with elevation gain and cue sheets. It's a great site!

go_skins

I have actually done very similar route before... really good area you are correct about that. A lot of hairy corners with traffic though. not sure I would do it again without someone to ride with me. Really challenging hill sections that were good fun.

go_skins

thanks for the input everyone will check those sites out.

Jay H

Since I used to live in B-dale, I would get up early and hit the loop from there. Ringwood ave is busy and most of the curvy stuff is off the main drags and that descent on West Brook is fun fun fun. I would also ride the Ramapo Rally each year doing the century which might be an option for you, though that stuck more to the main roads..

Jay