Originally Posted by
njkayaker
You could shorten the trip by going through Paterson (quite urban) into Fairlawn.
I grew up in Fair Lawn!
Paterson is hilly, covered with blast-crater potholes, but fun! The areas by the Paterson Falls and the museum are good urban riding.
When you're crossing the river from Paterson into Fair Lawn, please keep in mind that route 208 is not a road you want to be riding on! (I've done it.)
Riding through Fair Lawn: I'd avoid Fair Lawn Avenue at all costs. The parallel streets of Morlot Avenue and Bergen Avenue are good alternatives through town. I particularly like Bergen as it's a wide road with a 25MPH speed limit, although the road is interrupted in the middle by railroad tracks. (You can walk your bike for the 10 feet or so where the road is interrupted.)