ChrisRU
Well-Known Member
When we doing this? 😀
4 X 44 + 4
- Thread starter icebiker
- Start date
Steve Vai
Endurance Guy: Tolerates most of us.
As a fellow Rail Trail and Railroad Track Enthusiast, I've explored much of the same area. A couple months ago I rode up to Niagra Falls using Rail Trails, abandoned roads, and various bike paths. There are many people that just don't appreciate these kinds of rides. I kinda feel bad for those people.
-Jim.
Johnny Utah
Well-Known Member
I small group of riders from South od the Driscol Bridge will be doing this ride in the first weeks of November. It looks awesome, thanks again for posting this!
I will make sure to bring my camera, and plenty of food!🙂
I will make sure to bring my camera, and plenty of food!🙂
Magic
Formerly 1sh0t1b33r
AndyJ
Well-Known Member
@icebiker: I wasn't aware the Lehigh & Hudson was there as well. Now you have me looking at old maps and photographs of the L&H 🙂 Very interesting! I'll have to check it out during my next ride on the Sussex Branch. Oh, and I remember that ballast on the Cutoff very well. It was pretty rough riding in some sections on my hardtail.
@Aaron: Nice photo!
@Aaron: Nice photo!
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Juggernaut
Master of the Metaphor
Hope you don't mind, I've shown the vid to several non cyclist friends (cuz most of my friends aren't cyclists) and everyone thinks this is the coolest thing.
icolquhoun
Active Member
I would LOVE to see the route you took as thats just what I had envisioned for early next summer
Steve Vai
Endurance Guy: Tolerates most of us.
Let me find it for you. It's in my Strava if you're into that kinda thing. See if this works.
-Jim.
Well, I'd be happy to lead a re-dux as long as the pace is mellow. Too much natural beauty and stuff to explore to rush through it. What's everyone doing on F.A.T. day (Friday after Thanksgiving)?
For those planning to go earlier, some tips:
1) Do the loop clockwise, this way you get the tougher sections when you're fresh
2) Start point is at CO Johnson Park in Byram. Drive to the upper gravel lot near the ball fields and park there. You'll see a fence. Ride around the fence and you'll see a barely discernable singletrack through tall grass. Within 50 feet you'll be right on top of the Roseville Tunnel's western portal. Be careful, it's a sheer drop if you misjudge the trail. Follow the trail away from the parking lot and it will bend around to the right (east) and dump you out on the rail bed (same spot as in the first still of the video).
2) To ride the tunnel, bring a light. It's pitch black mid-way through. If you don't have lights, then be sure to ride the right side on the way west (and the left side when you're heading back eastward at the end). Reason is the other side of the tunnel still has ballast and wooden ties. The non ballast side is rideable without lights if you keep an eye on the end of the tunnel and ride slowly.
3) When you get to Blairstown, take the main road down the hill and turn left at the light at the bottom. You'll see signs for footbridge park on the left. Take that turnoff and you'll be on the 2nd leg (Paulinskill). Head northeast (left).
4) Finding the Lehigh New England takes a keen eye, since unlike the Paulinskill and Sussex Branch the beginning section is overgrown and very narrow. Best way to find it is to clock 1/4 mile from when you cross over 622. You'll be paralleling Junction Road at that point and the actual junction is about 1/4 mile east.
2) Start point is at CO Johnson Park in Byram. Drive to the upper gravel lot near the ball fields and park there. You'll see a fence. Ride around the fence and you'll see a barely discernable singletrack through tall grass. Within 50 feet you'll be right on top of the Roseville Tunnel's western portal. Be careful, it's a sheer drop if you misjudge the trail. Follow the trail away from the parking lot and it will bend around to the right (east) and dump you out on the rail bed (same spot as in the first still of the video).
2) To ride the tunnel, bring a light. It's pitch black mid-way through. If you don't have lights, then be sure to ride the right side on the way west (and the left side when you're heading back eastward at the end). Reason is the other side of the tunnel still has ballast and wooden ties. The non ballast side is rideable without lights if you keep an eye on the end of the tunnel and ride slowly.
3) When you get to Blairstown, take the main road down the hill and turn left at the light at the bottom. You'll see signs for footbridge park on the left. Take that turnoff and you'll be on the 2nd leg (Paulinskill). Head northeast (left).
4) Finding the Lehigh New England takes a keen eye, since unlike the Paulinskill and Sussex Branch the beginning section is overgrown and very narrow. Best way to find it is to clock 1/4 mile from when you cross over 622. You'll be paralleling Junction Road at that point and the actual junction is about 1/4 mile east.
Here's a spot that you might enjoy finding: Andover station c 1920's. Building is no longer there, but it sat at the intersection of the Sussex Branch and the Lehigh & Hudson (different corridor than Lehigh New England). Spot is about 100 yards south of the Rt 206 KVSP parking lot. Some remains of the platform can be found south of the junction and last time I checked there were some old ties embedded in the dirt. This view is looking northeast on the L&H, with the Sussex Branch coming in from the left from KVSP.
OK, railroad history geek mode off for now😉
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Hey Jim that file doesn't look right. I also searched through Strava but couldn't find it. Any link you can send?