looking for easy trail system near Wayne

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njitgrad

New Member
Looking to introduce my 8 year old son to mountain biking. We got him a Giant XTC Jr 24 for Christmas and he loves to ride. I still ride my Schwinn Moab (ca. 1998) but haven't done any serious biking in about 10 years (which consisted of a a few trips to Minnewaska as well as a trip to Jim Thorpe with friends).

I'm looking for something close to where I live (Wayne). I am very close to High Mountain Preserve but not sure if biking is even allowed there, or if it would be appropriate for my son's ability.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
Maybe the fire road that goes around Ramapo lake. Park at the top of Skyline Dr in Oakland and take the access road down to the lake and ride around it. Just beware that the climb back up the road to the top of Skyline is not going to be easy for him.
 
Try the Tourne on the trail directory. There are a couple hills but it is mostly flat mtb trails as far as I remember. Which is why I've never been back. Its in Boonton.
 
njitgrad said:
Looking to introduce my 8 year old son to mountain biking. We got him a Giant XTC Jr 24 for Christmas and he loves to ride. I still ride my Schwinn Moab (ca. 1998) but haven't done any serious biking in about 10 years (which consisted of a a few trips to Minnewaska as well as a trip to Jim Thorpe with friends).

I'm looking for something close to where I live (Wayne). I am very close to High Mountain Preserve but not sure if biking is even allowed there, or if it would be appropriate for my son's ability.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
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Def do not bring him there. Problem with up north is that most trails out here are pretty rugged. If you could head down to 6 mile with him that would be great.

Or try this :

http://videotrailreviews.com/trails/2011/01/saddle-river-path/

^^ Thanks to Manny for his work.
 
You could also give Patriots Path in Morristown a try. Lewis Morris is right there as well, but it's got a lot hills, so I wouldn't take him there until he's got his fitness up a bit.

Here's a recent video of some kids riding Tourne: http://www.mtbnj.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25575

In Livingston there's about a mile worth of trail that was recently built. Mountain biking is illegal in Essex County, but I think somehow this trail doesn't quality for the ban?

http://www.mtbnj.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21504
http://www.mtbnj.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19301

Also in Essex County, there is Hilltop where they host a kids race every year. Not sure about the legality here as well.

http://www.mtbnj.com/forum/showthread.php?p=346845
 
njitgrad said:
Looking to introduce my 8 year old son to mountain biking. We got him a Giant XTC Jr 24
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Great present. Personally it's hard to recommend a place around Wayne. I haven't ridden High Mtn since I grew up there. I believe there are some fireroads that you can circle and make a loop. Try it, worst case you go back home. If you can, make the trip down to Allaire. It's a 2hr round trip, but totally worth it.
Your boy would love it, mine do (8 & 10), they rip it up. Great place to learn. Trails go on and on, lots of winding turns and no rocks.
 
Tourne sounds like a good idea. I think I may have gone there once too with my friends but my memory is foggy.

Would appreciate any detailed info/pointers for access to that system. Are there short trails? I need a backup plan in the event he wants to stop at some point and turn back.
 
We picked up the same bike for my son when he turned 8 this past summer.

I know it is not "local" to Wayne, but Kittatiny Valley State Park is our go-to spot. A nice mix of trails and fire roads, and we easily piece together 8-10 mile rides that he can handle. Plus, there are kid activities like fishing, hiking, watching to planes take off at the airport and places to picnic. Sheridan's Lodge is on Limecrest Road and makes for a good, kid-friendly post ride meal.
 
I'd keep an eye open for the kids rides. Usually there's a couple at Jungle.

He might also like Sterling Lake in Sterling Forest, leave from the visitor center. It's out and back around the lake but there are interesting remnants from the iron mines most 8 y.o's would like.
 
Welcome to the forums.

JORBA, has some nice things coming up.
Jorba fest is one of them.
 
Shaggz said:
We picked up the same bike for my son when he turned 8 this past summer.

I know it is not "local" to Wayne, but Kittatiny Valley State Park is our go-to spot. A nice mix of trails and fire roads, and we easily piece together 8-10 mile rides that he can handle. Plus, there are kid activities like fishing, hiking, watching to planes take off at the airport and places to picnic. Sheridan's Lodge is on Limecrest Road and makes for a good, kid-friendly post ride meal.
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Looks like this may be the first place I want to visit. I'm big on fly fishing and any bike trail that gives me a chance to explore new water is a plus. Seems like there are several ponds there. Regarding the ability level, are there trails here that don't have serious climbs? Just want to make sure my son can handle it. BTW, what is a fire road? I never learned bike talk because I've always been just a casual biker?
 
Bleeder said:
I'd keep an eye open for the kids rides. Usually there's a couple at Jungle.
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What do you mean by "kids rides"? And where is the Jungle?

Bleeder said:
He might also like Sterling Lake in Sterling Forest, leave from the visitor center. It's out and back around the lake but there are interesting remnants from the iron mines most 8 y.o's would like.
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Seems easy enough to get to. What is the difficulty level?
 
Hey

I started all three of my girls over at Deer Park in Allamuchy. It is not that far from you just take 80 to exit 19, make a left and in two miles make a left into Deer Park. It has a dirt road/path that goes back to a lake and as they get more comfortable some fairly easy single track. Grab a map online.
 
Columbia Trail is a "rails to trails" so is wide and flat and very easy. Nice area to ride. Very pleasant.
 
Para5-0 said:
I started all three of my girls over at Deer Park in Allamuchy. It is not that far from you just take 80 to exit 19, make a left and in two miles make a left into Deer Park. It has a dirt road/path that goes back to a lake and as they get more comfortable some fairly easy single track. Grab a map online.
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Added to the list. Thanks!
 
njitgrad said:
Where is this specifically?
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we usually pick it up in Highbridge, trail head/parking located at 79 main st. Stop off in Califon at a small deli just a block off the trail and have the spinach souffle, its incredible!
 
Arwen's Mom said:
we usually pick it up in Highbridge, trail head/parking located at 79 main st. Stop off in Califon at a small deli just a block off the trail and have the spinach souffle, its incredible!
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Is this the trail that cross the SBR in Ken Lockwood Gorge? If so, that's one of my fishing spots so I'm at least a little familiar with the area.

Also, does this trail require a mountain bike? My friend wants to take his 7 year old daughter but she doesn't have a mountain bike...only a 16" kid bikes.
 
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njitgrad said:
Is this the trail that cross the SBR in Ken Lockwood Gorge? If so, that's one of my fishing spots so I'm at least a little familiar with the area.

Also, does this trail require a mountain bike? My friend wants to take his 7 year old daughter but she doesn't have a mountain bike...only a 16" kid bikes.
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Trail is flat and well maintained. No obstacles. Surface is a hard pack with tiny gravel. We saw some one with a road bike there and he was zipping long just fine. 16" kids bike should be ok too.
 
Do you KNOW(not think or assume) for sure the kid has cardio? When I was that age I was only allowed to bike around the block and I lived in totally flat Nassau County, NY. I would bike a few laps at most, get bored from lack of novel stimulation and quit. I doubt I had much biking cardio at that age from that to justify even being driven to an offroad spot to blow my wad in half an hour of riding. I remember complaining all the time during car rides, "are we there yet?"

Recently I took a short ride in 2010 or 2011 with a six grader I know with his new Department store bmx. I don't think we made it a mile from my house, but he was very tired, and had to walk up even modest hills. He had no stamina because his parents don't really allow him to go outside.

This is not what you asked or possibly wanted to hear, but the point is important. If you don't know escort him on the road starting from your house, or in a possibly flatter area till you know he has some cardio.
 
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