Women’s MTB & Trail Ride Days

High Bridge, NJ is an ideal location for this ride day. It’s a destination for all kinds of bike riders because it’s absolutely beautiful and offers a variety of bicycling terrain - from flat trails to woods trails to downhill - conveniently in one area.

There’s a large parking lot where we’ll meet, and easily access all the different terrain options described below.

We’ve set the day up to allow for two separate outings, with a break in-between to eat, hydrate and socialize!

Based on your preference or bike style you can ride one style of trail in the morning, a different in the afternoon, or ride the same type of trail twice.

We’ve left time at the end of the day to all go check out the Flow Trails, whether you choose to ride or just watch is up to you. There is a pump track right there at the base of the flow trails as well.

8am - Arrival, unload, check in.

9-11am - Morning ride session

11am-12pm - Lunch break

12-2pm - Afternoon ride session

2:30 - Check out flow trails & pump track

*As we all know, plans can run behind. However, no rider will be left behind. Allow for some flexibility and know that we’ll all have a great day together.

You must know how to ride a bicycle to attend these events…for now!

High Bridge, NJ offers a variety of great bicycling terrain all in close proximity, so ladies can try some of each!

The Columbia Trail is a 16.5-mile, flat, multi-use trail with natural and stone dust trail that meanders through woods, fields and farms, crosses small bridges, skirts local country roads, and takes you over the spectacular Ken Lockwood Gorge, labeled one of the “Ten Most Beautiful Places in New Jersey” by New Jersey Monthly Magazine.

An offshoot can take us down into the Ken Lockwood Gorge, on a non-motorized trail that runs alongside the Raritan River, with huge boulders, impressive rapids and northern hemlocks. There are spans of this road that get very rocky, yet the road remains flat and wide - making it a great place for riders of all levels to explore more challenging, rocky trail.

Nassau Trails is a 6 mile trail system that has everything for beginner to advanced mountain bikers, including beautiful woods trail, rock gardens, climbs and switchbacks, plus some small manmade jumps, little bridges and more. If this type of terrain is new to you, try it just part of the day with an E-bike demo from Santa Cruz.

High Bridge Flow Trails & Pump Track New Jersey’s first downhill directional mountain bike-only trails on public land. At the base of the downhill flow trails is a new pump track that’s great for practice and friendly to all levels. This area provides a progressive learning experience in close proximity to the 9+ mile Nassau Trails system

BIKES

Read the Terrain Options first! There are 2 main options: Flat trail vs woodsy trail, so different kinds of bikes can be used.

• Columbia Trail (Flat) - Ride any bike easily, whether gravel, road or mountain bike..

• Nassau Trails (Woodsy) - A mountain bike is ideal. It has more suspension than a gravel or road bike. An E-MTB (Electric-Assist Mountain Bike) is great too, to help you in keep up while still being challenged.

• Demo E-MTB from Trek or Santa Cruz - TBD - We will have a selection of bikes (including E-bikes) to try out onsite. Details to come..

GEAR

BYO. We don’t have any gear to loan. Bike helmets are required. They don’t have to be full-face downhill MTB helmets, regular bike helmets will suffice.

Clear glasses are required on the woods trails and recommended everywhere - even to keep bugs, dust or raindrops out of your eyes.

We suggest you wear what you’ll feel most protected in: Sturdy sneakers (I have worn high-top Vans for a first few rides), otherwise MTB-specific shoes are ideal. Shin, knee or elbow guards might be desirable especially for the woods trails.

As with all Over And Out events, rider support is our biggest priority! We want you to enjoy the day and we’re here to help you do that!

We will have designated volunteers on every ride to help you along, and keep you from getting lost, and we will have mechanical support onsite thanks to Marty’s Reliable Cycles!

Because there is so much planning that goes into each event, we aim to hold them rain or shine.

Rain during or just prior to the ride day may affect access to the Nassau trails, as the community collectively preserves the condition of the trails by not riding when the ground is too soft.

If that is the case during this event, all riding activities will take place on the Columbia Trail and down into the Ken Lockwood Gorge. We will still have a blast together.

We highly recommend being prepared with rain layers and wipeable riding glasses!

Bring your own coolers/lunches etc for the 11am-12pm lunch break.

Bring riding snacks and hydration packs if you feel you’ll need it.

There are coffee shops and restaurants just up the street

• Scout’s Coffee & Mercantile

• Polka Dot Cafe

• Mrs Riley’s Publik House (Irish Bar with outdoor seating)

• Circa (A cozy bistro with seasonal small plates)