rojasj
Active Member
Hi All,
This is a tad long but it at least helps me introduce myself. I've been living in Bergen COunty for the past 16 years and I'm originally from Hudson County.
About 12 years ago I got the itch to start riding trails first for my health and secondly because I just enjoyed riding. Also, a mounting bike connected me back to my BMX roots from the old James J. Bradock BMX race track in Hudson County Park. At the time I could only afford a Trek 4300 which served me well and got me back on the trails with a few friends of mine. I then upgraded to a Giant Trance in order to keep up with my then riding friends. But, they all gave up on mountain biking due to various reasons such as they could never wake up on time to meet for a ride, their dog threw up two days before a ride which is a bad omen so they could not ride for at least three months, a bird pooped on the car which means they can't ride..etc.. You get the idea.
Anyway, everyone bailed on me and I didn't feel comfortable riding alone in the event of an accident. As a result Trek 4300 sat idle for ten years and I had to sell my Trance to help a family member pay for medications (I miss my Trance dearly, but was it was the right thing to do) and I stayed on my road bike for the next 11 years as I love to ride.
Now, our daughter who will soon be 12 and has been riding since she could walk is on her first real bike and has expressed an interest in trail riding. She currently has a Cannondale Quick which she rides the beans out of but for trail rides she I want her on something designed for trails.
So my first question is in regards to the trail that runs along Ramapo Lake which has a parking lot on the lower section of Skyline Drive right off Route 287 South. I have not been there in at least 10 years and some folks have mentioned to me that this trail is closed to mountain bikes. Is that accurate?
Second question. Are there any trails nearby Bergen county where I can get her comfortable with trail riding? I'd like for her to start getting some experiencing the different feel of trail rides vs. bike paths and get comfortable handling the bike on these type of paths.
Third question, I can't afford to purchase a full suspension bike for either of us right now, the funds just are not there and won't be for a few years. I was thinking about giving her my 4300 which has V-brakes and she can beat on and purchasing another hard tail for myself. If the budget is about 500.00 - 600.00 bucks for a hardtail what are my best choices?
Thanks...
J
This is a tad long but it at least helps me introduce myself. I've been living in Bergen COunty for the past 16 years and I'm originally from Hudson County.
About 12 years ago I got the itch to start riding trails first for my health and secondly because I just enjoyed riding. Also, a mounting bike connected me back to my BMX roots from the old James J. Bradock BMX race track in Hudson County Park. At the time I could only afford a Trek 4300 which served me well and got me back on the trails with a few friends of mine. I then upgraded to a Giant Trance in order to keep up with my then riding friends. But, they all gave up on mountain biking due to various reasons such as they could never wake up on time to meet for a ride, their dog threw up two days before a ride which is a bad omen so they could not ride for at least three months, a bird pooped on the car which means they can't ride..etc.. You get the idea.
Anyway, everyone bailed on me and I didn't feel comfortable riding alone in the event of an accident. As a result Trek 4300 sat idle for ten years and I had to sell my Trance to help a family member pay for medications (I miss my Trance dearly, but was it was the right thing to do) and I stayed on my road bike for the next 11 years as I love to ride.
Now, our daughter who will soon be 12 and has been riding since she could walk is on her first real bike and has expressed an interest in trail riding. She currently has a Cannondale Quick which she rides the beans out of but for trail rides she I want her on something designed for trails.
So my first question is in regards to the trail that runs along Ramapo Lake which has a parking lot on the lower section of Skyline Drive right off Route 287 South. I have not been there in at least 10 years and some folks have mentioned to me that this trail is closed to mountain bikes. Is that accurate?
Second question. Are there any trails nearby Bergen county where I can get her comfortable with trail riding? I'd like for her to start getting some experiencing the different feel of trail rides vs. bike paths and get comfortable handling the bike on these type of paths.
Third question, I can't afford to purchase a full suspension bike for either of us right now, the funds just are not there and won't be for a few years. I was thinking about giving her my 4300 which has V-brakes and she can beat on and purchasing another hard tail for myself. If the budget is about 500.00 - 600.00 bucks for a hardtail what are my best choices?
Thanks...
J