Is the Surge Finally Over?

[goldsbar]

Over the last few weeks, I've noticed a sizeable reduction in trail usage. Wondering if it's just me and random luck or if others have noticed the same thing. I've been to Wayway on beautiful days and the parking lot isn't remotely full. It seemed like half the state was at Stephens, but even that's going back to normal. Wildcat still seems a little elevated, but it's never crowded once you're on the trails. Same with Allamuchy. I've even ridden in Lewis Morris without getting run over.

 

[Patrick]

We were discussing this at 6pm in the Sourlands lot yesterday.

Very empty for a beautiful evening.

At 8pm, there were a few more cars there, but nothing close to last year.

 

[JDurk]

Based on the work commute of the last few weeks, it seems everyone is back to working. ?????

 

[JonF]

It's also getting hotter. Fair weather riders never seem to bother when the mercury is rising.

But with everything else pretty much back open, folks have other options now i suppose.

 

[EJphotos]

Bike riding is so 2020

 

[A Potted Plant]

the baby boom finally happened

 

[rick81721]

It's also getting hotter. Fair weather riders never seem to bother when the mercury is rising.

This - hot & humid is always your friend. Keeps the riff raff away

 

[Cassinonorth]

Yep. Did a hike at Minsi a couple weeks back and didn't have to stab anyone for a parking spot on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Even Tammany parking has been reasonable and that place looked like Woodstock last year.

 

[thegock]

We saw about 48 people on the local trails Sunday. Last year's record was about 200 people, so, yes, people are back at the mall, traveling and eating out.

 

[Ian F]

Possible. I did a lap at Pennypack last weekend and while the parking lot was reasonably full of park users, it wasn't as packed as this time last year. We didn't see another rider on the trails at all, which we did find rather surprising.

 

[Bike N Gear]

Not a soul to be seen midday at Nassau yesterday, but traffic both directions on 287. Things are getting back to normal.

 

[rick81721]

Hey maybe I'll ride 6mr this summer. Last year was ridiculous

 

[Santapez]

Hey maybe I'll ride 6mr this summer. Last year was ridiculous

Was there on like a Tuesday at 1pm a few months ago after a nearby work meeting. I was blown away by the amount of people there.

 

[Norm]

I was at Newman's Lane at 6:30 yesterday and the lot was almost full. Not people parking on the grass level though.

 

[robcleary]

6 mile still gets stupid busy. I stopped on my way up to north around 8am a few weeks ago and the Blue lot was already stuffed (granted on a Saturday). Weekdays though are primo if you can swing it.

Also I'm afraid you're stuck with at least one Covid-MTBer convert. I got into it last spring, but I've been sucked in too far 😅

 

[DownhillR3]

Enough people broke bike parts out riding, can’t get spares, so it is finally a positive thing.

 

[ChrisG]

I think the return of non-scholastic sports (Little League, rec soccer, etc.) has played a role in this. Allaire and Hartshorne/Huber were literally overrun with families at this point last year, but that’s not been the case as of late.

@Mitch and I rode Hartshorne/Huber yesterday, on a gorgeous afternoon, and the parking lots were nearly empty.

 

[Mitch]

I think the return of non-scholastic sports (Little League, rec soccer, etc.) has played a role in this. Allaire and Hartshorne/Huber were literally overrun with families at this point last year, but that’s not been the case as of late.

@Mitch and I rode Hartshorne/Huber yesterday, on a gorgeous afternoon, and the parking lots were nearly empty.

The small lot at Huber was empty when we rode by it. Thats a 1st for like 2 years.

 

[a.s.]

I said it 14 months ago, people are inherently lazy. This was inevitable. I also think @ChrisG is correct about kids getting back to sports.

The next surge will be a sale on (barely) used bicycles, outdoor sports equipment and weights.

 

[Ernie.Colnago]

Mooch and SSP seem to be slowing down a little. The iron gate still gets busy but I think kids sports making a comeback and NY/NJ reopening will certainly have a substantial impact on bennies and karens.