Enticing Local Rides

Serious and casual cyclists alike find Pequannock Township an ideal place for biking.

BY TOMAS SOLEJ

Wide, smooth roads and an absence of hills top the reasons many local residents and visitors find Pequannock Township to be an enticing place to ride bicycles. But if you like the challenge and excitement of hills, you’ll find those in the area as well.

While Pequannock has its own attractions, the town’s location makes it a great place to start rides to surrounding regions. Whatever your taste in two-wheeled adventure, these noteworthy routes are sure to please.

• Road loop: For people on road or hybrid bikes, one popular route is a loop that runs from Boulevard to Jacksonville Road to West Parkway to Boulevard again. At five miles, this route’s length also makes it easy to track your distance.

Safer Cycling

While New Jersey’s recently enacted Safe Passing Law requires motorists to use due caution when passing vulnerable people such as bicyclists, following these basic rules further enhances safety.

• Wear a helmet and maintain situational awareness.

• When on the road, ride with traffic and follow traffic rules.

• Neighborhood ramble: Enjoy exploring local streets? Ride from Greenview Park to Woodland Lake; then to Foothills Park and back.

• Traffic-free option: The Pompton Valley Rail Trail—open to pedestrians and bicycles only— is a 1.5-mile paved trail that starts at River Drive in Pompton Plains. If you have a hardtail mountain bike or a gravel bike, you can easily get off the rail trail to explore the unpaved trail around Woodland Lake.

• Longer flat excursion: If you are in the mood for a longer flat ride, head south into Fairfield and then on to Montville.

• Climbing ride: For those who want to add hills, head west into Kinnelon or north into West Milford, where the Macopin Road climb has a nice rhythm to it.

• Ultimate adventure: Head to New York’s Harriman State Park, where County Road 106 off Seven Lakes Drive is exceptionally scenic and features some of the region’s best descents.

• On trails, slow down when approaching pedestrians.

• Use bright, blinking lights for increased visibility.

• Ride a properly sized and maintained bicycle.

Local, reputable bike shops like Bicycle Tech in Lincoln Park and Cycle Craft in Parsippany offer valuable sale and service expertise that you can tap to make each ride your best ride.

ANGELA TETA KOHLE