First timer

  • Thread starter Thread starter kyeo138
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kyeo138

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(Another) First timer

Hi everyone, my wife and I (early 30's) just bought some bikes, probably the 1st time in 15 years or so either of us have ridden one. She got a hybrid, and won't be doing any serious riding, mainly just for fun. I really wanted to get into cycling because I run a lot, but lately my knee has been giving me problems. My doc suggested cycling, so here I am with a road bike and no real idea of what i'm doing yet.

I know pretty much nothing about cycling, other than you ride a bike. My LBS (i've been doing a lot of reading on terms, etc...) had to show me how to shift, brake etc... My biggest concern is that since I got a road bike, is where to go cycling. I'm new to NJ, and live in Clifton. A lot of busy main roads and side streets, which is fine for running, but seems a bit dangerous for cycling.

If anyone has any routes around clifton i'd love to hear of some. Seems like my best option would be to invest in a bike rack and drive out to 9W or somewhere NW of where I am now.

Anyway, thanks in advance for putting up w/my newb questions, and make sure to wave and say hello when you see me fall over at a traffic light because I can't unclip my feet.
 
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Thanks, I did come across that. Unfortunately I live in this area: http://www.njbikemap.com/njmap/7-maps/orange.pdf and everything is purple/red.

I'm getting concerned that I won't go out and ride as much because i'd have to drive somewhere. The reason I liked running so much is because all I had to do was throw on some sneakers and go. I just hope I can deal w/the traffic.
 
kyeo138 said:
Thanks, I did come across that. Unfortunately I live in this area: http://www.njbikemap.com/njmap/7-maps/orange.pdf and everything is purple/red.

I'm getting concerned that I won't go out and ride as much because i'd have to drive somewhere. The reason I liked running so much is because all I had to do was throw on some sneakers and go. I just hope I can deal w/the traffic.
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6 am on Saturday and Sunday is your best bet. Traffic tends to be real light this time of day on the weekends. Find the fastest way to get yourself out of the area and into the roads less traveled.

I'm not familiar with your area at all, maybe others will have some advise.
 
Check with the Bicycle touring club of NJ http://www.btcnj.com , Montclair cyclists or a bit further off, the Morris Area Freewheelers http://www.mafw.org/

Any of these organizations can offer group rides that can help you get familiar with the area and find new routes and riding buddies. And call your LBS to see what they might offer.

Oh, and welcome😀
 
I am only one map section away from you in Livingston. I though there was a lot of "purple" roads in my area... Wow!

PM me if you don't want to travel too far to find a starting point - and want to ride with another roadie new/b. I usually start from Livingston (at 6:30am and go for 1.5 hours or so) and head down Hillside Ave. to Passaic Ave (not the one by where you live) then head through Chatham/Madison/Convent Station on my way to the Morristown/Loantaka area . Sometimes I double back to Old Short Hills Road for a (somewhat more dangerous in heavier traffic) uphill grind back home.

I am not familiar with anything north of your location.
 
Thanks for the tips and info. I should be getting my bike tomorrow. Once I get used to riding a bike again, i may start looking for riding partners.
 
Welcome, Brookdale Park in Bloomfield and Garrett Mountain in Patterson are places close to you. Paved roads with less traffic. If you get a bike rack look at some of the rail trails out west.
 
kyeo138, hit me up sometime, i'd love to meetup and go ridin with you and your wife.

There's a couple fun rail trails up off 9W and some trickier stuff.
I'm in that area a lot as my g/f lives up in Northvale so I ride all over 9W into Piermont, Nyack, Grandview and the sort....

haven't gone west yet tho
 
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