Author: CharlieKirby

Allamuchy

This is Allamuchy Mountain in Warren/Sussex County NJ. Photo was taken from the Lake Tranquility Area.

The ground where I stood to take the photo is about 600 feet above sea level. The peak of Allamuchy is over 1200. So there’s 600 feet of elevation gain, which is about the height of a 60 story residential building.  The trail to the peak is about 5 to 7 miles (depending on what switchbacks you choose). So riding to the peak is like riding a bicycle up a 60 story building, not going straight up, but going around and around and around, stretching it over 5 or 7 miles. It’s kinda like walking up the stairs in a building. Stairs don’t go straight up like a ladder does. Stairs have a more gradual angle of incline than ladders. Depending on what shape you are in and what skills you have it could take 1 to 4 hours. It’s a cardio workout pretty much the entire way. I love it!

Here is what some of terrain looks like on the way up to the peak.

Woodpeckers are really having a blast with what’s left of this tree!

Riding at 5 am

I can say from personal experience that meeting friends for a 5 am trail ride doesn’t save much in humidity, but it does save you from about 15 or so degrees in heat. It’s also quite invigorating to wake up early and ride at dawn. Do what you can to stay cool friends!

First Time Riding an Eeeb

Today I went riding in the mountains of Appalachian country in NJ. I had just ridden up a long, steep hill and was taking quick break before I rode up another even steeper hill where the terrain was much gnarlier. As I was resting, a family (mother, father, son) were riding down the hill that I was about to go up. When they reached the bottom of the hill, they stopped to say hello and we wound up chatting for a little bit. I remarked that their bikes were cool looking and asked if they were E-bikes. They said yes and asked me if I had ever ridden one. I replied “Not yet.” They asked if I would like to try theirs. I said, “Sure!”

Going up that hill that had given me so much trouble to ride up in the past, was like slicing butter with a hot knife!!! It was so much fun!!!

I’m halfway tempted to buy an eeb. I don’t think I really will do it anytime soon though. The price is more than what my bike cost and my current bike is in great shape. A good eeeb that comes with the components that I like; they start out at $5500 and go up. But I gotta say that it was a lot of fun!!!

That and the MTB community that I meet on the trials – such good people.