First Time Out Observations

Biker Dude

Biker Dude

Member
Rode Mercer for the first time yesterday. Spent 40 minutes driving up and down the main road looking for a trail head that we never found. And we never saw one lot with cars that had bike hitches. Finally someone told us just to park and go in anywhere. Also, we didn't have a map so that didn't help.

We started on the red trail and went in circles there for a little while. The trails were good there. A lot of twisties and flow. However, not having a map was a bad thing. We then talked to someone who recommended going over to the blue trail. That was good also but man does that place have a lot of roots. I mean, all parks have lots of roots but my ass hurt more yesterday then ever before.

One odd thing though, we came to the boat house on the blue trail and the path seemed to follow the power lines, which we just figured would eventually take us all the way around the lake. We were wrong. After a little while it just ends. When I got home I looked at the map and saw that if we went up the road a little bit at the boat house, the blue trail continues.

Also, make sure to have something to fix a tire with because there are a lot of thorny bushes all over.

All in all the park was very good and in good shape. We will have a map the next time.

Will definitely add it to the list of trails we ride.
 
I you ever want a tour.....I have a nice 15-16 mile loop that links most of the trails. Like most parks, it's best if someone shows you how to link all the sections here. Glad you had fun. I've been riding the trails at Mercer since I was a kid. Not the most challenging terrain but still tight twisty fun none the less.

Hit me up sometime.

-Mike
 
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michael.su said:
I you ever want a tour.....I have a nice 15-16 mile loop that links most of the trails. Like most parks, it's best if someone shows you how to link all the sections here. Glad you had fun. I've been riding the trails at Mercer since I was a kid. Not the most challenging terrain but still tight twisty fun none the less.

Hit me up sometime.

-Mike
Click to expand...

Will do. I appreciate the offer. By the way, that park is f---ing awesome. There is so much to do and so much space there.
 
yeah, this is my local park and a tour with me or Michael would give you an entirely different perspective, it's a great place, especially in winter.....
 
Sorry to hi-jack the post; but have a quick question for the regulars. I rode Sunday morning felt like a hit a dead end on the blue trail. See attached GPS track. The black arrow is the direction of travel. When I got the blue arrow I original turned right and then followed the trail (appeared to be double track) until there was a stream and a 8 foot or so gap with a drop of a few feet between the sides. I couldn't find where the blue trail continues around the body of water (link to map: http://www.mtbnj.com/forum/showthread.php?t=405). Any advice. I turned around and went by road, though clearly not preferred. I'll take a photo next time if it helps.


Thanks,
Matt
 

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hagerfoot said:
Sorry to hi-jack the post; but have a quick question for the regulars. I rode Sunday morning felt like a hit a dead end on the blue trail. See attached GPS track. The black arrow is the direction of travel. When I got the blue arrow I original turned right and then followed the trail (appeared to be double track) until there was a stream and a 8 foot or so gap with a drop of a few feet between the sides. I couldn't find where the blue trail continues around the body of water (link to map: http://www.mtbnj.com/forum/showthread.php?t=405). Any advice. I turned around and went by road, though clearly not preferred. I'll take a photo next time if it helps.


Thanks,
Matt
Click to expand...

Yup, You were going the right way. The bridge there has been out since Irene, if not before. Mick leads the TM at MCP and has a plan to build a new bridge but it just didn't work out last season. I'm sure we'll get to it this year.

You can walk down the to the right of the gap and walk through the muck to a spot that's crossable but that's all I got for now (it's not far). You're really not missing much trail though. because of the swampland over there you will have to hit the road a little further up any way as shown by the purple alternate route on the map.
I'll post up when it's bridge building time if you would like to come out and show some love to Mercer 😉
 
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@michael.su

Thanks. Let me know about TM. Its sometimes hard for me to attend with young kids and all. But at the least I can usually supply some work gloves to make the job easier.
 
hagerfoot said:
@michael.su

Thanks. Let me know about TM. Its sometimes hard for me to attend with young kids and all. But at the least I can usually supply some work gloves to make the job easier.
Click to expand...

No prob man.
I know all about the little kids thing...Mine are getting older now and I actually brought my daughter to a couple of TM's last year. ( she's 9 now) 😉
JORBA supplies tools, gloves etc. What they really need is man power. it's tough with a family i know, but it's only once a month.

I am one of the VERY few that would start TM at sunrise! lol. That's when I ride usually for least impact on family time. 🙂

The next TM is St. Paddy's day (March 17th) 9 am at the marina parking lot (next to the volley ball courts)
 
Blue trail

The Blue trail is fun but I don't go if there if some folks that are riding are running tubes. My grilfriend place is about 5 minutes from the park and I ride it a lot. Not that hard to ride but I always have a good time. It does perk pretty well after some rain, but not that well out by the dam. It does take a few rides to get to know where to go and like the man said you can get some miles in there.
 
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