This is the confluence of Hally, Tally and White at Stephens. Usually I climb up Hally. Today I rode down it. If you love technical switchbacks, you’ll love Hally. Didn’t hear anymore spring peepers (frogs) today. But saw some people on horseback and they let me feed carrots to their horses! Beautiful creatures. So fast and powerful too.
Stephens. Sunday. There was about 1 inch of snow near the top. Couldn’t ride as fast as usual, but it sure felt great to be outside! Did 13 miles too.
Here’s a shot with the fire tower in the background.
Stephens. This photo was taken somewhere in the vicinity of Skeezix and Cooler. Super awesome ride! We’re 2 months into 2023, and so far this year I’ve ridden Lew Mo, Sterling, Wildcat, Jervis, Dickerson Mine and Stephens. The weather has been unbelievable.
Dickerson Mine Preserve. Hadn’t been there in a few years. It was just how I remembered it. Fun!
Had to take advantage of this unusually warm weather in January. Rode Wildcat yesterday. Couldn’t get enough, so we rode Jervis today. Couldn’t get enough of riding Painted Apron once, so we rode that twice.
Happy Riding!
Mildcat Ridge. The smoothest of flow in all of north NJ.
What used to be named “Wildcat Ridge” has been renamed to Mildcat Ridge. The area has been properly renamed, so that it reflects it’s true terrain. We wouldn’t want to give people the wrong impression that the terrain here is in any way “wild”. In reality it is exceptionally tame and especially mild.
Rock gardens, roughly 130 feet of climbing per mile, a little bit of mud, a little bit of ice. If you like that, go to Sterling. Me? I LOVE it! The fresh air did my body good today.
One of the cool things about riding when the leaves are gone, is that you can see the features of the rolling hills in the distance. Jockey Hollow National Park is on the other side of the peak. First ride of 2023 and got in 1000″ of elevation gain today.
Aside from sending it down Leeroy, the other best part of today’s ride at Stephens was realizing that I did pack in my car, a change of clean clothes, after loosing my footing and falling into a creek that was filled with darn cold water. After the initial shock, it was actually pretty exhilarating and felt great! Out of 5 water crossings, I made 4 of them. The fifth one I slipped on ice and went >>> S P L A T! LOL.
Lew Mo. Trails in pretty good shape. Mostly dry. Some ice at the bottom of the blue trail, but easy enough to go around.
