We are very fortunate in Central New Jersey to have a wealth of places to mountain bike.
If you are just starting or want to have a pretty mellow ride, consider the Delaware and Raritan Canal Towpath or the Union Transportation Trail.
More experienced riders who are looking for small hills, roots, and twisty single track will enjoy Mercer County Park in West Windsor, Clayton Park about 15 miles southeast of West Windsor in Monmouth County, and Six Mile Run, about 15 miles from West Windsor in Franklin Township.
Getting hungry for more? Allaire State Park has miles and miles of interesting trails. Single track? Got it. Screaming descents? Yup. Tight, twisty, rooted climbs that push the limits of your lungs? Got that too.
Want to mix some great hiking with your mountain biking? Sourland Mountain Preserve is a good place to check out.
In most cases, the trails are multi-directional and multi-use. This means you could be zipping along and a rider will come around the curve straight at you. So use caution. Also, many of these trails are open to hikers and equestrians, so mind your trail manners please!
The best place to check out our state’s outstanding mountain bike network is the Jersey Off Road Bicycling Association (JORBA). JOIN!! Become a member, volunteer, and help care for and expand these resources. (There’s a monthly work session on the trails in Mercer County Park run by JORBA volunteers and open to all.)
Other great resources include apps like RideWithGPS, Strava, and TrailForks.
And remember to support your local bike shop. They will have great ideas about where to ride, and many offer group rides and skills courses.
Tags: mountain biking