Watchung Reservation

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Fist ride here today in over 20 years, so first time here on a FS bike too. When I was starting my ride a Berkeley Heights cop drove through the lot. I asked her whether it was legal to ride in the reservation again. She said she never new it was illegal. I mentioned the ban over 20 years ago, but I think she was still in diapers back then. She told me to have fun, so I did.

I can't believe I used to enjoy those trails on 1.9" Smokes pumped to 40psi. FS Stumpjumper with 3" tires at 15psi was much better.
 
I don't think the cops ever gave a rats ass if you mtb'd in the reservation. Its the people that live adjacent to the trails with a huge stick up there ass who think the Res is their property and don't want bikes there. I have been told by these people that its against the law to ride my bike in Watchung but a cop has never told me it was illegal.
The notion of excluding a user group from land paid for by tax payers is absurd. Open space is one of our greatest assets and recreation is priceless, hopefully Union County will promote this notion and not exploit it for the good of some cheesy freeholders(politicians) gain.
 
In the decade or so I've been in there I've only been kicked out of the park once. It was just after that hokey beaver attack thing and the rangers were all over for a week or 2.
 
I rode in the Res back in the 80s to early 90s. Count me in on TM for this place. Practically in my back yard. As close as it is t me, and as much hiking as we've done, I haven't been back there on a bike in 25 years.
 
kdebello said:
I rode in the Res back in the 80s to early 90s. Count me in on TM for this place. Practically in my back yard. As close as it is t me, and as much hiking as we've done, I haven't been back there on a bike in 25 years.
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probably passed you on the trails - i was working in murray hill when they banned bikes.
we rode after work.
 
this is great news, I spent lots of time in the reservation as a kid fishing and stuff but never to mtb, was a roadie in those days. Despite being close, I've actually never ridden there, where's the trail head if parking at Circle park?
 
qclabrat said:
Despite being close, I've actually never ridden there, where's the trail head if parking at Circle park?
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By circle park I am guessing you mean playground loop area. If you head toward surprise lake and looked to the left for a gravel road that road will lead to single track if you stay straight on it. There are maps of the trails of you look on union County Website. The place is not that big, so explore it. If you are from that area eventually you will come to something you recognize.
 
Sounds like a summer Fridays ride for me before take the kids to the driving range, I get lost lots, better plan for that
 
qclabrat said:
this is great news, I spent lots of time in the reservation as a kid fishing and stuff but never to mtb, was a roadie in those days. Despite being close, I've actually never ridden there, where's the trail head if parking at Circle park?
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Better off parking on the other end where Glenside and Skytop meet. There's a little gravel lot there and it puts you closest to the good side of the park. There are trails on either side of Skytop.
 
qclabrat said:
this is great news, I spent lots of time in the reservation as a kid fishing and stuff but never to mtb, was a roadie in those days. Despite being close, I've actually never ridden there, where's the trail head if parking at Circle park?
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I use OpenStreetMap on my Garmin 705 -- it looks like it has a pretty complete mapping of the trail system (can't vouch for it personally, though). If you just want a printed map, I imagine that you could go to openstreetmap.com and make a hardcopy of the Watchung Reservation area.
 
jimvreeland said:
Better off parking on the other end where Glenside and Skytop meet. There's a little gravel lot there and it puts you closest to the good side of the park. There are trails on either side of Skytop.
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Is that the lot for Seeley's Pond picnic spot? Which way would you ride from there? It's been over 20 years since I've ridden there. (I miss SM more tho).
 
qclabrat said:
Sounds like a summer Fridays ride for me before take the kids to the driving range, I get lost lots, better plan for that
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Walter,

Nice seeing you at Six Mile Saturday.

I know the trails there very well, including the connector to the Hidden Valley/Summit open space on the east end. Hit me when you want to go. I will be riding Saturday from the pavilion at 9am and will be free during the weeks after May 15th. Also, use the Maprika app if you do try and get lost on your own.
 
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