The ride consists of 2 segments. We will first cruise the wetlands, woodlands, and fields along the north section of the Henry Hudson Trail. This is a mostly paved former rail bed connecting Keyport, Atlantic Highlands, and Highlands, NJ. Then we cross the Rt 36 Highlands / Shrewsbury River Bridge and ride north on the “Multi-use trail” on Sandy Hook. We will pass a number of attractions there including sea level scenery galore, the big birds' nest, Fort Hancock, various emplacements, the iconic lighthouse, and the observation platform overlooking the entrance to NY harbor. Our return along the same route will include an optional stop at the Carton Brewing facility in Atlantic Highlands where riders can get a guided tour and a sampling at their discretion.
Any bike will due for this ride, but a mount with wider tires is encouraged. There is a roughly one mile section of the HH Trail that consists of hard pack dirt covered with a thin layer of finely ground stone dust. Paved portions are mature with occasional expansion cracks and push-ups. The SH path is very smooth but will have wind-blown patches of beach sand here and there.
Restrooms and refreshment trucks will be plentiful on SH.
Please bring: Helmet (required), light bike lock for stops, equipment and skills needed to change a flat, filled water bottles, and the eagerness to enjoy a focused cruise of this distance and a fun day "down at the shore".
Directions from the Flemington Circle:
Hwy 202N, Hwy 22E, I-287S, exit on to Garden State Parkway South, through toll, continue south in “LOCAL” lanes of GSP (NOT “Express”), get off at Exit 118 “Aberdeen”, pay toll (EZ Pass lane or “50 cents Correct Change” bucket toss lane (unmanned). At end of ramp, turn left on Lloyd Road. Over GSP. At first intersection/stoplight, turn left on to Gerard Avenue, then quick right into the parking lot of the Fireman's Field (baseball) and the Henry Hudson Trail head (sign). Shell station/convenience store on opposite corner of Lloyd Ave. and Clark St.
I will postpone this event if inclement weather is forecasted.
Best wishes, Dan Brown
- A Google Map link to the start location of the ride.
https://goo.gl/maps/viz8y4467dKaRQUs8
- A link to a site such as RideWithGPS, which contains the route data
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30328529
