Howdy from Budd Lake

JunkYardBike

JunkYardBike

New Member
First just wanted to thank the forum members for the collective trail information. Been lurking here for a while and studying the Stephens GPS trail maps the past couple years. I'm an avid road cyclist and often pass the trailheads near Station Road, Stephens State Park, and Waterloo Rd. and tell myself I should go exploring. Have done it a couple times with my ancient Trek 820 rigid with semi-slicks, but never got very far.

Finally got a second-hand HT with front shocks and proper tires last week. Took it on it's maiden voyage Tuesday, riding a figure 8 from Station Rd. on the green loop and then east on the white/red(?). Rocks beat me up pretty good, got a few scrapes when I was late unclipping on my one and only rock garden attempt, and I was stung by a wasp as I ascended a pretty tough climb. I wasn't about to stop, so I looked down helplessly as he hung from my calf, unable to disengage his stinger.

I ended up walking most of the thick rock garden - I think there were maybe 3 on that short ride. Also walked down a crazy descent with a banked left turn at the bottom. You guys are nuts.

Definitely a lot more intense and punishing than road cycling, but at least there are no cars! Just rocks as big as cars...

As I was riding I remember thinking I'd stick to the road. But now that the severe pain in my knees, shoulders, and wrists has subsided, the scrapes on my legs are scabbed up, and the bruises have turned from purple to black, I'm ready to go again!

See you on the trails....maybe!

Patrick
 
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Hang in there and keep at it. We may just convert you. Welcome to the club and try Deer Park next time it"s the easier of the mooch Parks...
 
LOL--Sorry about your rough time. (It is almost comical.) Really it shouldn't be that way. You need to walk before you run!! Try Deer Park, keep your eyes open for beginner rides, maybe attend a skills clinic. We live in Mt. biking Heaven, so welcome aboard !!
 
Welcome to the forum! I live in Budd Lake and ride in the area...anytime you want a tour let me know. Deer Park is great and just down the road.

I just got a road bike and will also be looking for some local routes.
 
Thanks all for the warm welcome!

pedals said:
LOL--Sorry about your rough time. (It is almost comical.)
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I thought it was comical as well, which is why I shared it. I thought some of you might get some laughs at my expense! 🙂

skiphreaknj said:
Welcome to the forum! I live in Budd Lake and ride in the area...anytime you want a tour let me know. Deer Park is great and just down the road.

I just got a road bike and will also be looking for some local routes.
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I'll probably try Deer Park, but I like the proximity of Stephens. I like to avoid driving if possible - though I know there are some shortcuts by bike to Deer Park as well. I may try Stephens again tomorrow morning, maybe find a quick route to the loop by the tracks, then maybe ride back on some roads.

Hit me up any time for some local road routes - I can give you some ideas or a tour. The road riding in this area is as good as the trail riding!
 
I braved Stephens again this morning. Entered at Station Road, rode west on the white trail, looking for the 'short cut' to the pink loop. Missed it and rode to the wires, then hung a u-turn and rode back on the side trail to the north of the white. What a gorgeous view of the wooded hillside into the valley! Found the entrance to the 'short cut' and walked most of the way: loose rocks, leaves, branches. Doesn't appear this trail is used much, and I don't think I'd want to descent or ascend it even if it were maintained.

Ended up on the red(?) trail and headed east, wandered around some other trails and somehow ended up on the pink. Did one loop of the pink then the maze down the middle. This trail is definitely faster and seems less rocky than the southern portion of Stephens, but the speed can be dangerous to someone without technical skills, because when the rocks and turns come, they come faster!

I managed not to fall this time, however, and did maybe half of the smaller rock gardens and most of the logs. Avoided the built up log and rock features, and crawled over the jumps. Had some near wrecks, but managed to keep the rubber side down.

I rode the small loop across Waterloo Valley Road (around the small lake) then back on the red and headed back the way I came. All in all about 3 hours in the saddle, and I'm not as shell-shocked as my first excursion.

I do have a question for more experienced riders: do you ride these trails with clipless or platforms? Just personal preference? A couple times, I thought I might have tried more of the rock and log features if I knew I could easily put a foot down, but maybe that's not a good idea. I definitely would have saved myself a couple knee tweaks the handful of times I did have to unclip quickly to avoid toppling over.

On the other hand, I think being clipped in helped my confidence over some of the rocks. I can imagine my feet flying off the pedals in several situations where I was bounced around.
 
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