I joined the Freewheelers, but never went on any rides with them. I renewed my membership and plan on going on some MAF rides this year.

You know I'm not a huge fan of that one. I just don't like the whole multiple PDF setup.

I'd also much rather see more detailed maps, with the bike friendly roads highlighted.

If I wasn't so lazy, though, I'd take some of the info there and plot a few routs on my GPS.

How can one be lazy and ride a bike?

The logic at work there escapes me. ;)

Central Jersey here, anyone know of good riding groups down this way? Usually go solo, wouldn't mind trying the group ride - at least once..

Other than http://www.cjbc.org/ I can't think of any.

Hunterdon County here.

Princeton freewheelers:
http://www.princetonfreewheelers.com/index.htm

the CJBC is also a good one, they do a pretty easy farmland flats tour/Century from Lincroft, NJ (monmouth cty)..

Jay

I agree, it's a bit of a hassle when trying to connect roads when planning a route, but one advantage is that they are formatted for printing so you can take them with you on a ride. Makes it easier to freelance in unfamiliar territory. I also find the markers for food and the elevation markers helpful.

I'm originally from Summit, but now call the Somerville area home. Although, I feel at home all over the state. I just don't get lost anymore.


Hi Joe Saling.

Would be nice if they made one with all the maps, though, or at least the option to print an entire county.

Since they're not extremely detailed though, I guess you could just print out the entire area you want from google, and just trace you route, and any other info you want right over...or just route it into a GPS.

I live in the ass end of passaic county, but would like to start riding up in that area. Don't know the roads there at all yet.

Which end is the ass end?

This is Passaic county you're talking about, gotta be a bit more specific.

carlos:
are you a customer at Cycle Works in Byram? If so, I think we met this past spring when John & Frank were fitting me up for my first road bike.
steve

The side with Passaic (city) and Patterson.

I can understand the 'PDF setup' problem but Dustin has done us a great favor by creating this. I'm not criticizing you for not liking it but you do know that those funny colors on the map tell you the conditions of the road?

Here's what I use Dustin's maps for, I go to Bikely.com (or whatever Bike mapping site you like) and using Dustins' maps as a reference I layout my routes. I like using the Hybrid mode of the map and I zoom in to between 4 and 2. I can mostly memorize a map but I may have to start bringing them in case something happens to me and others need to return to the starting point. I lead rides out of Cranbury (South, Central Jersey, TP exit 8a) and to ride a good distance.

I always wondered why anyone would carry a GPS, what good does it do you to know where you are if you are lost? ;-) What you want is to know where you need to go but I won't ask. ;-)

I know what the colors are for, just not a huge fan of the PDF.

But yes really nice that he took the time to put it together for us.

I assume you're being sarcastic about the GPS comments, considering the winks?
But just in case. You do know a GPS will give you turn by turn directions anywhere.

I also read somewhere what some people do is mark their starting point, then just turn the unit of and just ride on a completely random route, almost purposely getting lost, and then use the GPS to get back.

Yup, being a bit sarcastic. :-) My new phone has a GPS application on it but I haven't figured out how to use it yet. I don't know it just takes the fun out of getting lost. ;-)

At the moment I'm working on two serious routes. One is 150 miles long down to Tuckerton from Cranbury. The other is an alternate way into Lebanon State Forrest around Lebanon Lake. Using Dustin's maps I can easily figure out which roads are dirt roads and avoid those (bad for the chain ;-) ). Right now I have about 7 century+ rides and I need to work on a few more.

Union county!

If anyone near the Newfoundland/West Milford area is interested, Geared 2 Go is closing up shop and needs to get rid of all their gear: http://newjersey.craigslist.org/bik/549885422.html

Hi, I'm in Oak Ridge, kind of close...

The link in Craiglist was deleted...

They keep deleting and reposting it: http://newjersey.craigslist.org/bik/558192319.html

If you can't find it just go here and look for this:
Bicycle Store Closing - (Newfoundland(West Milford), NJ)

check out the south of nj. there are lots of flatter areas to ride, traffic is lowerer in volume, and the grass is greener!

Yeah, but I don't live there and I'm not driving my bike somewhere to take a ride... that's just silly.

Princeton to Washington Crossing is an awesome ride. Take a look: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...-Crossing-loop

Depends on where you're going to be riding. Don't forget that NJ Transit lets you take bikes on any time that's not rush hour. Since I don't drive, that's how I get to rides in Philly, Princeton, etc.

From Teaneck. Ride around this area. Commute to Jersey city once in good weathers :)

the s nj bus system here (nj transit) allows bikes either in front racks or under the bus in carrage storage bins at any time of day. when touring through boston we had to wait until 7pm before boarding, so i can relate to your concern. if there is a will then the way is not far behind.

i have ridden in many parts of nj, from high point, delaware crossing, princeton, camden, trenton, woodbury, carneys point, pine barrens, capemay, etc. i live in cumberland county and invite nj bicyclists to ride in this neck of the woods!

check out the South Jersey Wheelmen (sjwheelmen.org). there are some good centuries listed there too.
our flagship "the jersey devel century" has usually about 200 riders, a nice way to find nj bicyclists (but some come from ny, md, de, or pa)!

If you don't want to travel that far south I lead rides out of Cranbury on Saturday's south. I ride as far south as Chatsworth/Nixon though I may have a Tuckerton ride but that's pushing it. I love riding down into the Pine Barrens.

pine barrons are great PRESERVED areas (seem to keep traffic down/less urban sprawl). the trees can break the wind as well! pretty serious trails for mtb, i have yet to do that up there!!
thanks for including middle, semi-south jersey in this "looking for new jerseyans" thread.