Hi, new to the site. I am interested in doing some riding in the PB. I was thinking of Wharton state forest. Are there any areas to ride there? If not could someone suggest another area more suitable. I am not necessarily interested in challenging trails as I have them close to home. I was sort of interested in exploring more remote areas on bike. Is there anything I would need to be aware of as this is a large area. Does everyone use a GPS? Are there areas to avoid due to undesirables etc.? Thanks in advance.
Mountain Biking
- Thread starter KCB
- Start date
And hecks yeah, use a GPS! It's not hard to get lost, and it's a big place. A GPS or at least some reliable navigation tool is essential, and a cell phone is even better, although sometimes reception is spotty.
As for undesirables, (other than myself and the fine people of this forum), I haven't encountered anyone shady other than some drunken dudes at the Brooksbrae ruins. You're running a bigger risk going to the mall, I suspect. You're not going to run into Paulie Walnuts and Christopher Maltisanti, or even some angry half naked russian dude.
As for undesirables, (other than myself and the fine people of this forum), I haven't encountered anyone shady other than some drunken dudes at the Brooksbrae ruins. You're running a bigger risk going to the mall, I suspect. You're not going to run into Paulie Walnuts and Christopher Maltisanti, or even some angry half naked russian dude.
Thanks for the info. I wasn't thinking of Paulie Walnuts, more like squatters or people who have taken up residence in the woods that don't like strangers. I ask because a place I used to hike in NJ/NY had some forest dwellers
that were known to take a shot at people if they got too close. Not to kill but to deter.
Are maps available online or do I have to go to the ranger station?
that were known to take a shot at people if they got too close. Not to kill but to deter. Are maps available online or do I have to go to the ranger station?
Speaking of being shot at, make sure you wear blaze orange during hunting season. If you're not sure when that is, wear it anyway. We got vests at Harrys Army/Navy for like 5 bucks.
Trailriding in the Pine Barrens
Lebanon(BB) State Forest has the white-blazed Mount Misery trail that loops out of Pakim Pond. It is about a 10 mile ride. I led a group of scouts and their leaders on a ride here last Saturday. There was some mud holes and the sugar sand was passable.
Wharton State Forest and Jersey Action Riders are working on a trail network out of Batsto Village parking lot. The first section of it is about 6 miles. It has not been completed and a color blazing has not decided. It is currently marked with pink engineering tape. The trail is supposed to be part of the Earth Day celebration at Batsto this year.
I haven't had any problems with hunters or other park users.
I'll be riding the white trail this morning.
John
Lebanon(BB) State Forest has the white-blazed Mount Misery trail that loops out of Pakim Pond. It is about a 10 mile ride. I led a group of scouts and their leaders on a ride here last Saturday. There was some mud holes and the sugar sand was passable.
Wharton State Forest and Jersey Action Riders are working on a trail network out of Batsto Village parking lot. The first section of it is about 6 miles. It has not been completed and a color blazing has not decided. It is currently marked with pink engineering tape. The trail is supposed to be part of the Earth Day celebration at Batsto this year.
I haven't had any problems with hunters or other park users.
I'll be riding the white trail this morning.
John
Where ever you ride, as alone as you may think you are, be aware of the car/dirt bike/horse that is just around the next bend. They come out of nowhere sometimes.
Steve
Steve
I am a bit confused. If I am riding trails in the woods why would cars be an issue? I am used to horses as they are present where I currently ride but I rarely see them and people are curteous. Maybe I'll just hike or take my canoe, don't tell me I have to watch out for wave runners
I am a bit confused. If I am riding trails in the woods why would cars be an issue? I am used to horses as they are present where I currently ride but I rarely see them and people are curteous. Maybe I'll just hike or take my canoe, don't tell me I have to watch out for wave runners
I think what he means is that those trails at times cross roads. Obviously, the consequences of accidentally crossing a dirt road with a speeding car passing by at the same time are severe.
Guy
Wells Mills Park
Where are you located? And how long a trail at minimum?
Wells Mills Park in Waretown has a designated 3.5 mile shared-use loop, but the rest of their trails are off-limits to bikes. Same concern for hikers/horses, but I think no hunting there, IIRC. I've ridden from where Morey Place Road crosses the Parkway to the park, too, but the sugar sand was FRUSTRATING.
The trail varies from hard-packed fire road, to singletrack, to sugar sand road, and back to hardpack. A nice, easy ride if you are in shape, with a good bike. There are a few small hills, no serious, hard-core stuff. It is well marked.
Where are you located? And how long a trail at minimum?
Wells Mills Park in Waretown has a designated 3.5 mile shared-use loop, but the rest of their trails are off-limits to bikes. Same concern for hikers/horses, but I think no hunting there, IIRC. I've ridden from where Morey Place Road crosses the Parkway to the park, too, but the sugar sand was FRUSTRATING.
The trail varies from hard-packed fire road, to singletrack, to sugar sand road, and back to hardpack. A nice, easy ride if you are in shape, with a good bike. There are a few small hills, no serious, hard-core stuff. It is well marked.
Thanks Teegate, that's a legitimate concern
Taco, I live in Spring lake Hts. and ride the trails on the south side of Allaire State park, there are miles of trails there and I seldom see another soul which I like. I am looking to do some rides in the PB as it seems like an interesting place to explore, I just thought I could cover more area on bike but it sounds like there are limited areas so I am now thinking about going on foot. Are there any hikes organized through this site by the members?
Taco, I live in Spring lake Hts. and ride the trails on the south side of Allaire State park, there are miles of trails there and I seldom see another soul which I like. I am looking to do some rides in the PB as it seems like an interesting place to explore, I just thought I could cover more area on bike but it sounds like there are limited areas so I am now thinking about going on foot. Are there any hikes organized through this site by the members?
Just be aware that most of pine barrens south of Allaire is not developed like Allaire, there are hundreds of thousands of acres of woods that are very wild. With that in mind and proper preparation I hope you have fun!!
Jeff
Jeff
The new Batsto trials are marked and open, there's the Green (5.6 mile) and Yellow (.5 mile). JAR did an awesome job on the trails, they are a lot of fun. Mostly fast twisty single track. Here the link to the trail project website:
http://whartontrails.jerseyactionriders.org/index.htm
They will be working a more advanced loop later this year.
http://whartontrails.jerseyactionriders.org/index.htm
They will be working a more advanced loop later this year.