Easy trails?

S

shuto007

New Member
Newbie here…looking to ride some trails in Northern or Central NJ, that are relatively easy (not too many steep climbs)
and I won’t get lost in the woods. I did Allaire yesterday which was great fun but is long drive for me.
 
Welcome!
Mercer County Park is one of the easiest trails to ride (besides Canal/Tow paths). It's great for Beginners but it's a bit far for you. I'd be happy to give you a tour some time if you want to come down Though.
A bit closer to you is Six Mile Run. That is very beginner friendly but it will give you a good work out.

-Mike

Edit: Ha! he beat me to it!
 
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Kittatinny and Deer Park, though Kittatinny is a better choice. They still might be too far..about a hour drive.
 
Here is a quick run down of the "easier" trails that I know of in North and Central Jersey.

Most trails systems in North Jersey may not quite be beginner friendly, however Lewis Morris is the exception. It is fairly beginner friendly. It does have a pretty long climb but it is not at all technical. And once you get through the long climb the rest is very flowy and fast.

Central Jersey (Middlesex County):
6Mile: is pretty flat, fast and fun and you could get a bunch of miles in.
Rutgers Eco Preserve: Although I haven't riden there it is pretty flat with some tech trail features. Its gotten mixed reviews -- depending on how far you are driving do some research to see if it is worth the trip.
Cheesequake: Very Short 3 mile loop -- It is fairly technical but there are no LONG climbs just short steep ones.

Central Jersey (Monmouth County):

Thompson, Holmdel and Tatum parks (Thompson and Holmdel are 1 mile from each other - Tatum is about 4miles from Thompson) are all part of the Monmouth county park system. Combined, they have about 30 miles of beginner friendly trails. They are all off of Pkwy Exit 114.


Hueber and Harthshorne:
They are both within a 1/2 mile of each other. Although they are both on the technical side and do have climbs -- beginner friendly loops can be made. They are good skill builder trails to take you to the next level.


Allaire: Great beginner friendly trails system...but as you said...kind of far from you.

Hope that helps...Have fun!
 
On the other hand, if you're starting from Teaneck, you may want to go east across the GW bridge to Cunningham Park in Queens. I was there a year or two ago. Really great little mtn bike park right in the middle of Queens. The local bike clubs did a great job buiding trails with this land. There are different routes for differing skill levels so you're sure to find a trail that pleases. None are particularly difficult but many are great fun.

Not a very big park (I would am guessing <500 acres) but they pack a lot of trails in this little gem. Off the t op of my head I think you could make it there from Teaneck in 1/2 hr or less if there is no traffic.
 
Try out Lewis Morris park , it's fun and will give u a good workout .. I usually roll solo at the trails and manage , I'm sure u will be ok .
 
Just did Six miles today, was great. I did the red and white trail, was enough for me today...I need to work on my skills, before I even attempt more difficult trails.
 
if your looking to go through some beginner stuff come on the Tuesday beginner rides at allaire at 6:00
 
tourne is a good place to go. i recomend going early. i also like sterling forest. +1 on cunningham park, i just wish it was up and running back in the day, as I'm a queens guy. sprain is good too, not far, ringwood can be beginner friendly as there's an easy 6 mile loop from lot c, although i take tarmac back from shepherd's lake. other places like saddle river park have a little bit of trailage. essex county rail trail, and so on and so forth. if you don't mind going up to ny, stewart is good, but make sure it's dried out:popcorn:
 
freeride said:
tourne is a good place to go. i recomend going early. i also like sterling forest. +1 on cunningham park, i just wish it was up and running back in the day, as I'm a queens guy. sprain is good too, not far, ringwood can be beginner friendly as there's an easy 6 mile loop from lot c, although i take tarmac back from shepherd's lake. other places like saddle river park have a little bit of trailage. essex county rail trail, and so on and so forth. if you don't mind going up to ny, stewart is good, but make sure it's dried out:popcorn:
Click to expand...

I've done saddle river thats where I started out. Can you give me more details about Ringwood's easy loop.
 
shuto007 said:
Can someone explain the easy loop @ Ringwood, please.
Click to expand...

Somebody can probably explain this better than me, but I'll give it a shot. If you park at Shepherd Lake, you will follow the fire road to the right of the lake and onto the old race loop. There are brown trail markers, and you will want to follow the picture of the guy on a mountain bike. There is a somewhat steep climb to the right off the fireroad that will bring you onto the loop.

The course would probably be described more as intermediate with some parts you may need to dismount depending on your skill level (switchbacks, rocky climbs, etc). However, as you ride more, you'll be able to clear more of these sections over time.

Hope that helps.
 
Cunningham is the most mild near you, also try Sprain Ridge Park (Westchester), there is a beginner loop at Sprain with very little climbing and lots of fun features that will keep you busy. Graham Hills is also in Westchester and not technical.

The good thing about Sprain is that you are never too far from the parking lot if you have a breakdown. If interested me and Ebineezer ride there weekly and can show you some of the beginner loops.

http://wmba.org/blog/parks/sprain-ridge-park/
 
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