Perth Amboy Rt 35 bridge
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Perth Amboy Rt 35 bridge
I am riding from Bergen county area to the shore this summer, for the most part i have been able to piece together a root from various threads here. However i am bit worried abt the RT 35 bridge in Perth Amboy. Is it somewhat bike friendly?
Any suggestions for riding down through the oranges area? Roads to take? To avoid?
Any suggestions for riding down through the oranges area? Roads to take? To avoid?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,018
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Victory bridge is bicycle friendly, you can even see the bike path on google maps.
You want to get to the Henry Hudson bike path. Starts near Matawan NJT station, pass through Keyport. From perth amboy stay between 35 and the shore, ducking into local communities when possible.
You want to get to the Henry Hudson bike path. Starts near Matawan NJT station, pass through Keyport. From perth amboy stay between 35 and the shore, ducking into local communities when possible.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Baltimore,MD
Posts: 783
Bikes: Madone 08,Trek520,Bianchi Pista,Raleigh Tandem,Cdale SuperV
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I grew up in that area. As kids we would ride down rt 36 to the shore, but we started in Middletown. Looks like that trail that Geo mentioned is the way to go, 36 after Keansburg is probably ridable but not particularly scenic, downright scuzzy in spots.
I can't imagine riding rt 35 through the Amboys though. Have you considered heading west and come down into some more scenic roads like Monmouth county horse country? Depends on if you're in a hurry.
I can't imagine riding rt 35 through the Amboys though. Have you considered heading west and come down into some more scenic roads like Monmouth county horse country? Depends on if you're in a hurry.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,018
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I can't imagine riding rt 35 through the Amboys
The basic plan is to follow along 35 without actually riding on it. There a few places where that cannot be avoided.
Once off the bridge avoid main street s amboy and take one of those streets named after a tree.
Then head for Pine Ave.
After that hug the coast and head for the henry hudson bike path.
The basic plan is to follow along 35 without actually riding on it. There a few places where that cannot be avoided.
Once off the bridge avoid main street s amboy and take one of those streets named after a tree.
Then head for Pine Ave.
After that hug the coast and head for the henry hudson bike path.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 248
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
This page and (more recent) this one tell how I did it 4-5 years ago, which might not fit your riding style or safety approach, and anyway is a probably a bit out of date with road conditions and construction.
? Has that Henry Hudson trail been repaved since like ten years ago? Sections of if used to be pretty bumpy, and most of it doesn't go near nice views of the ocean, so I had tended to avoid it -- but maybe things have changed.
It's not overall very interesting or pleasant riding north-to-south thru the Oranges. But I often find some pleasant sections, and anyway I guess you'll get some satisfaction in just working out how to make it thru.
Newark: I don't think it's much more difficult to ride thru Newark, but people who hear you did it will be more impressed -- and Newark is generally more interesting than the Oranges (not something to take lightly, given that overall riding from Bergen county to the shore is not especially interesting). Branch Brook Park is rather pretty. And there's various sights to see around downtown Newark (check the web). Too much traffic on some streets: There are sidewalks (I haven't heard of any law against bicycling on the sidewalks, but if you're concerned about that, you could walk in some places).
When I've connected with Bergen county, my strategy has been to reach Wallington, and I've connected between Wallington and Newark in multiple ways, with possibilities on either side of the Passaic river. For some ideas, you might try this page or (more recent) this map.
connecting between Newark + Perth Amboy: There's no magically pleasant or especially interesting way to do it -- I've ridden (and skated) lots of different routes that worked fine for me. I feel very comfortable getting thru there, but it's hard to know what to recommend to fit your style + interests + safety preferences.
I guess if you're going thru the Oranges, you'll have to connect from South Orange to Perth Amboy. Same comments apply. I guess the satisfaction comes from figuring out your own way that you can make work.
What I usually do is try to find things along the way that I hope might make it interesting enough so that I might then want to try it again sometime (and then I'll improve the route).
Ken
Last edited by Ken Roberts; 06-11-09 at 12:12 PM. Reason: fix a couple words
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Baltimore,MD
Posts: 783
Bikes: Madone 08,Trek520,Bianchi Pista,Raleigh Tandem,Cdale SuperV
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I say ride into the city-downtown-grab the ferry to Highlands and you're home free, bypassing all the ugly stuff between NY and the shore.
How far down the shore are you going?
How far down the shore are you going?
#7
militant buddhist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Old Bridge, NJ
Posts: 1,613
Bikes: '08 Scott CR-1 Pro, '02 Jamis Nova
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm a little late to the party, but if you haven't figured out a satisfactory way from the victory bridge on, let me know. I'm a Sayreville resident, know the area inside and out, and ride down the shore all the time, so I can probably offer some pretty good advice.
BTW - don't listen to that HC203 character - lots of beauty in this area!
BTW - don't listen to that HC203 character - lots of beauty in this area!
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Baltimore,MD
Posts: 783
Bikes: Madone 08,Trek520,Bianchi Pista,Raleigh Tandem,Cdale SuperV
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
There sure is a lot of beauty in NJ, first to admit that, but you can't call the stretch of 36 by IFF beautiful by any means, nor the entire town of Keansburg. I was born in Red Bank, grew up in Middletown, lived in Atlantic Highlands, Jersey City, Metuchen, so I think I know the area pretty well. Middletown is being completely Staten Islandized- Now, Highlands has some beauty and some of those inland areas, even Metuchen where I last lived has some beauty, I was simply commenting on a particular corridor along 35 and 36.
Have a good ride to the shore. I'm planning on riding from Baltimore where I now live (Talk about beauty!) to Wildwood Crest via the Cape May ferry.
Good luck.
Have a good ride to the shore. I'm planning on riding from Baltimore where I now live (Talk about beauty!) to Wildwood Crest via the Cape May ferry.
Good luck.
#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks
Thanks... this is what i have come up with so far based on the above and just general knowledge of the area.
https://tiny.cc/bO6h4
I agree, i live in Jersey City and am trying to make a bit of adventure of it, so am going to skip the ferry.
Thank you all again
https://tiny.cc/bO6h4
I agree, i live in Jersey City and am trying to make a bit of adventure of it, so am going to skip the ferry.
Thank you all again
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 248
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks... this is what i have come up with so far based on the above and just general knowledge of the area.
https://tiny.cc/bO6h4
https://tiny.cc/bO6h4
Next I notice that you chose some obvious streets which have high traffic volume and lots of sections with parked cars, and stores where cars frequently turn in and out: notably St George Av / rt 27, perhaps also rt 35, also a section on Morris Av / rt 82.
That route crosses rt 22 at one of the (several) difficult points: some of the most difficult traffic-handling in the whole state.
Finally on rt 36, the route goes very close to one of the prettiest short road segments on the whole Jersey shore, but without using it - (maybe that guy who claiims the rt 35 - 36 corridor has lots of beauty will point it out -- hopefully along with some other suggestions).
Ken
#11
militant buddhist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Old Bridge, NJ
Posts: 1,613
Bikes: '08 Scott CR-1 Pro, '02 Jamis Nova
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
There sure is a lot of beauty in NJ, first to admit that, but you can't call the stretch of 36 by IFF beautiful by any means, nor the entire town of Keansburg. I was born in Red Bank, grew up in Middletown, lived in Atlantic Highlands, Jersey City, Metuchen, so I think I know the area pretty well. Middletown is being completely Staten Islandized- Now, Highlands has some beauty and some of those inland areas, even Metuchen where I last lived has some beauty, I was simply commenting on a particular corridor along 35 and 36.
Have a good ride to the shore. I'm planning on riding from Baltimore where I now live (Talk about beauty!) to Wildwood Crest via the Cape May ferry.
Good luck.
Have a good ride to the shore. I'm planning on riding from Baltimore where I now live (Talk about beauty!) to Wildwood Crest via the Cape May ferry.
Good luck.
#12
militant buddhist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Old Bridge, NJ
Posts: 1,613
Bikes: '08 Scott CR-1 Pro, '02 Jamis Nova
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Looking at that route, the first thing I notice is that you ignored the advice of two responders about avoiding rt 35 for going to the Amboy bridge.
Next I notice that you chose some obvious streets which have high traffic volume and lots of sections with parked cars, and stores where cars frequently turn in and out: notably St George Av / rt 27, perhaps also rt 35, also a section on Morris Av / rt 82.
Next I notice that you chose some obvious streets which have high traffic volume and lots of sections with parked cars, and stores where cars frequently turn in and out: notably St George Av / rt 27, perhaps also rt 35, also a section on Morris Av / rt 82.
That route crosses rt 22 at one of the (several) difficult points: some of the most difficult traffic-handling in the whole state.
Finally on rt 36, the route goes very close to one of the prettiest short road segments on the whole Jersey shore, but without using it - (maybe that guy who claiims the rt 35 - 36 corridor has lots of beauty will point it out -- hopefully along with some other suggestions).
Ken
Finally on rt 36, the route goes very close to one of the prettiest short road segments on the whole Jersey shore, but without using it - (maybe that guy who claiims the rt 35 - 36 corridor has lots of beauty will point it out -- hopefully along with some other suggestions).
Ken
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,018
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Thanks... this is what i have come up with so far based on the above and just general knowledge of the area.
https://tiny.cc/bO6h4
I agree, i live in Jersey City and am trying to make a bit of adventure of it, so am going to skip the ferry.
Thank you all again
https://tiny.cc/bO6h4
I agree, i live in Jersey City and am trying to make a bit of adventure of it, so am going to skip the ferry.
Thank you all again
#14
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Looking at that route, the first thing I notice is that you ignored the advice of two responders about avoiding rt 35 for going to the Amboy bridge.
Next I notice that you chose some obvious streets which have high traffic volume and lots of sections with parked cars, and stores where cars frequently turn in and out: notably St George Av / rt 27, perhaps also rt 35, also a section on Morris Av / rt 82.
That route crosses rt 22 at one of the (several) difficult points: some of the most difficult traffic-handling in the whole state.
Finally on rt 36, the route goes very close to one of the prettiest short road segments on the whole Jersey shore, but without using it - (maybe that guy who claiims the rt 35 - 36 corridor has lots of beauty will point it out -- hopefully along with some other suggestions).
Ken
Next I notice that you chose some obvious streets which have high traffic volume and lots of sections with parked cars, and stores where cars frequently turn in and out: notably St George Av / rt 27, perhaps also rt 35, also a section on Morris Av / rt 82.
That route crosses rt 22 at one of the (several) difficult points: some of the most difficult traffic-handling in the whole state.
Finally on rt 36, the route goes very close to one of the prettiest short road segments on the whole Jersey shore, but without using it - (maybe that guy who claiims the rt 35 - 36 corridor has lots of beauty will point it out -- hopefully along with some other suggestions).
Ken
#16
militant buddhist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Old Bridge, NJ
Posts: 1,613
Bikes: '08 Scott CR-1 Pro, '02 Jamis Nova
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ok, after you get over the rt 35 bridge, you have to get off of 35. The next 8-10 miles is extremely dangerous. I'll post some alternatives for you tomorrow.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Baltimore,MD
Posts: 783
Bikes: Madone 08,Trek520,Bianchi Pista,Raleigh Tandem,Cdale SuperV
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Back to biking. I would get off 36 and route into Middletown and Red Bank if you feel like meandering.
#18
militant buddhist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Old Bridge, NJ
Posts: 1,613
Bikes: '08 Scott CR-1 Pro, '02 Jamis Nova
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ok, here's an alternate route, which I start from just above the Victory Bridge. It takes you a little away from the shoreline, but you aren't actually riding the shoreline anyways, until you get into the Highlands. All these roads are ones that I ride on on a regular basis, and consider quite safe. It does actually bring you back to your route, just south of Highlands. Normally, I would not suggest bypassing Highlands, but there is a ton of construction going on right where 36 turns south; this route will take you around that.
https://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...24537315141578
https://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...24537315141578
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 248
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The other approach is to allow for lots of extra time when you're actually riding, and have a workable approach for changing your route while you're out traveling, as you find out what different streets are actually like at the time you're riding, and how you feel about them.
Spendimg more time staring at maps in advance may not help that much - (though finding specifically appropriate reports and route suggestions might help a lot).
A fundamental problem is that "riding my bike to the shore" sounds simple -- and maybe in some parts of the world it is simple -- but here it's really not. It's a serious challenge. Doing it with limited preparation time makes it tougher. (? might be worth thinking about what's your contingency plan in case you find out it's too much this time ?)
Ken
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 248
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
here's an alternate route
https://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...24537315141578
https://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...24537315141578
I guess what I'd prefer is a route which "skims the best" of the Highlands and then crosses Oceanic bridge to Rumson. (if that's possible).
Too bad. I was hoping with your local knowledge you'd have some suggestions for something special in that general area. In my web reports about skating on the roads thru there I've identified specific places near rt 36 which I found pretty or interesting or especially pleasant.
Here's one:
Just where rt 36 "turns the corner" from west-east to north-south, the first half-mile or mile of the bike trail north toward Sandy Hook has a great simultaneous view of both the ocean and the bay. (Maybe that's why the next few miles south from there on rt 36 are disappointing for me).
Ken
#21
militant buddhist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Old Bridge, NJ
Posts: 1,613
Bikes: '08 Scott CR-1 Pro, '02 Jamis Nova
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks -- looks like something I might want to try sometime. It's very different from what I've tried before in that area. Except for the east end around Rumson (which I've mostly liked riding).
Actually in my recent trips I've been avoiding rt 36 just after it turns south, because there's a sea wall alongside it for the next few miles, which blocks my view of the ocean. I've been preferring to go thru Rumson to eliminate a few of those miles.
I guess what I'd prefer is a route which "skims the best" of the Highlands and then crosses Oceanic bridge to Rumson. (if that's possible).
Actually in my recent trips I've been avoiding rt 36 just after it turns south, because there's a sea wall alongside it for the next few miles, which blocks my view of the ocean. I've been preferring to go thru Rumson to eliminate a few of those miles.
I guess what I'd prefer is a route which "skims the best" of the Highlands and then crosses Oceanic bridge to Rumson. (if that's possible).
Too bad. I was hoping with your local knowledge you'd have some suggestions for something special in that general area. In my web reports about skating on the roads thru there I've identified specific places near rt 36 which I found pretty or interesting or especially pleasant.
https://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...ille/227472962
This ride really needs to be ridden so you're coming from the south, going up north on 36. Otherwise, you miss out on the descending in Highlands.
Here's one:
Just where rt 36 "turns the corner" from west-east to north-south, the first half-mile or mile of the bike trail north toward Sandy Hook has a great simultaneous view of both the ocean and the bay. (Maybe that's why the next few miles south from there on rt 36 are disappointing for me).
Ken
Just where rt 36 "turns the corner" from west-east to north-south, the first half-mile or mile of the bike trail north toward Sandy Hook has a great simultaneous view of both the ocean and the bay. (Maybe that's why the next few miles south from there on rt 36 are disappointing for me).
Ken
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 248
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You mean something like this?
https://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...ille/227472962
This ride really needs to be ridden so you're coming from the south, going up north on 36. Otherwise, you miss out on the descending in Highlands.
https://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...ille/227472962
This ride really needs to be ridden so you're coming from the south, going up north on 36. Otherwise, you miss out on the descending in Highlands.
Gives me a whole new slant on riding in that area. Like I don't think I've ever done the Highlands section going west-bound to enjoy the downhill. And I've never visited Sayreville.
But I think to make it a loop with the rt 35 bridge, I'll deviate and ride thru Laurence Harbor (nice water view at Morgan Beach) and South Amboy. I think that pretty much requires riding some sections on rt 35 == (I've done those before -- to me those sections seem wide enough to handle traffic at some hours of the day -- though I recognize that opinions about the safety of this will vary.)
I found it interesting that route on that map makes no use of the Henry Hudson rail trail -- (even where it would be shorter to use it to connect between Keansburg + Union Beach).Still haven't heard a report on whether the Henry Hudson trail has been repaved, or if some sections are still as bumpy as they were several years ago.
Ken
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 248
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Instead I'll talk about "comfortable" versus "uncomfortable" for bicycling:
1) Lotsa bicyclists feel uncomfortable with lots of motor vehicles driving nearby.
2) Like many bicycle riders, most motor drivers also want to take a less complex route. Therefore ...
3) Less complex routes tend to have lots of motor vehicles driving on them,
and so tend to feel uncomfortable to lots of bicycle riders.
So it's difficult to give good advice about routes to bicyclists.
Idea: This problem should be going away: Because if you get a GPS that allows inputting routes, it might be able help you to easily follow a more complicated route -- which might be more comfortable (? or even more SAFE ?). Unsafe versus Uncomfortable: I think a lot of times safety depends more on knowing and carefully practicing safer strategies for interacting with motor vehicle traffic. Some roads are dangerous for riders who don't know safer traffic-interaction strategies, but reasonably safe for a rider who does know.
Problem is that some key safer riding strategies are not obvious and do not feel comfortable. So riders do not know them or do not practice them. The sad thing is that sometimes some of those riders die.
If you're concerned about SAFE, read a good book about road-bicycling strategies, like one or more of
these books
Ken
Last edited by Ken Roberts; 06-19-09 at 10:42 AM. Reason: fix a couple words
#24
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 89
Bikes: 1981 Miyata 710, 2007 Cannondale Cyclocross Disc, 2007 KHS Tandemania Milano, 2007 Rans Force 5 Enduro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I can't tell from your question whether your goal is to have a pleasant ride to Belmar, or specifically to ride along the shore to Belmar.
If you are just looking for a pleasant ride to Belmar, consider adopting a more westerly route. As several others have said, St. Georges Ave (and most of the other north-south routes through Newark, Elizabeth, Linden, Rahway, Woodbridge) are definitely not pleasant. Relatively bad streets, too many traffic lights and generally a lot of traffic. If you go further west, crossing the Raritan at Bound Brook, you will have a much nicer ride.
I used to ride regularly from South Orange to Old Bridge and the westerly route (something like https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...,0.836334&z=10) was always much more pleasant than the routes that took me over the Victory Bridge.
After you get across the Raritan, I'm not sure of the best way to Belmar, although several possibilities appear on NJbikemap.com (an indispensable guide for anyone planning a new ride in NJ). The distance looks to be about the same, but the ride will not actually be along the shore.
If you are just looking for a pleasant ride to Belmar, consider adopting a more westerly route. As several others have said, St. Georges Ave (and most of the other north-south routes through Newark, Elizabeth, Linden, Rahway, Woodbridge) are definitely not pleasant. Relatively bad streets, too many traffic lights and generally a lot of traffic. If you go further west, crossing the Raritan at Bound Brook, you will have a much nicer ride.
I used to ride regularly from South Orange to Old Bridge and the westerly route (something like https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...,0.836334&z=10) was always much more pleasant than the routes that took me over the Victory Bridge.
After you get across the Raritan, I'm not sure of the best way to Belmar, although several possibilities appear on NJbikemap.com (an indispensable guide for anyone planning a new ride in NJ). The distance looks to be about the same, but the ride will not actually be along the shore.
#25
militant buddhist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Old Bridge, NJ
Posts: 1,613
Bikes: '08 Scott CR-1 Pro, '02 Jamis Nova
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just in case anyone was wondering what the construction on rt 36 (right where it goes from being an eastbound route, to a southbound route) that Ken and I were talking about looked like, this is from a couple of days ago: