NJ Mountain Bike

Allaire Park is a great place to ride a mountain bike. A picturesque landscape and a mix of trails with varied skill levels, and there is more, not only is Allaire a great biking destination but it is also rich in history. The Historic Village at Allaire is a living museum of a 19th Century bog iron producing community. In addition to the Village there is also The Pine Creek Railroad which dates back to 1951 and is among one of the oldest continually operating narrow gauge steam preservation railway exhibits in the country.

There are four marked trails for over 22 miles of single track but there is so much more in unmarked trails. I have now made three trips to the park and have not even come anywhere close to seeing it all. The orange trail is a great ride once you clear the sand. It is deep forest trail that circles to the back of the lot. It is beautiful at the lowest point of the trail where it follows a quaint stream.

I admit I did not have it in me to do some of the steeper drops but I absolutely expanded my perceived limits. I got a great adrenaline rush even though I dabbed a number of times on some long steep down hills lined with giant roots and sand that tested me. I did wipe out for the first time during a large rooted down-hill in the back of the park like a champ. I went right over the bars and into quick face-plant in some soft sand after my front tire mired down in sand and root. I was definitely a bit timid with the clips but went after the rest of the trail inspired.

The one downside in my opinion is the sand that makes west of the parking lot really annoying and varies from hard packed to beach-like. If you go north there is miles and miles of unmarked trails some of which are simple insane for my skill level.

I think Allaire has something for everyone. I had a great time there and have now made several trips back to the park. I highly recommend it and can’t wait to get back.

Overall: 6 of 10

Aerobic: 6 of 10

Technical: 8 of 10

Best wishes,

Howie