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Special Features : Bikes And Fall Foliage Cycling Adventures
Best Autumn Mountain Bike Trails in New York & New Jersey
© September 2007 by Barbara & Peter Lynn
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Cool cycling tips. Get ready for biking in the autumn months. Winter cycling tips
Autumn Mountain Biking Trails In New York
 Each year, bicyclists from across the nation and around the world arrive to experience the bounty and beauty of a fabled Autumn in New York. They are welcomed by a spectacular display of vibrant fall colors on the trails, and by traditional harvest-time activities. The fall foliage with its leaves of every possible shade of red, yellow, gold and orange is legendary. Bicycle through thickly-wooded rolling hills and steep mountainsides. The fiery patchwork of colors against an azure sky is simply unforgettable. For family fun adventures, try one of the many u-pick orchards, venture into a pumpkin patch or enjoy a fall harvest festival.
Autumn in the Adirondacks is a spectacular display of color and incredible scenery. Peak color in most of the Adirondack Park occurs during the last week or two in September. The low lands to the north, south, east and west of the peaks generally have their best color during the first two weeks of October. Some of the best places to combine mountain biking with your fall foliage activities in the region are at Old Forge and Franklin County. Up to 100 miles of groomed trails for mountain bikers of all skill levels await you on the Old Forge Mountain Bike Trail System, which can also be accessed from the Adirondack Scenic Railroad. In the heart of the Adirondacks, Franklin County offers many trails for mountain bikes, including the easy Bloomingdale Bog Trail with its golden tamaracks. The popular destinations of Lake Placid and Saranac Lake are nearby. The Camp Santanoni trails in Essex County offer scenic wide carriage roads and spectacular views of the adjacent High Peaks Wilderness Area.
Allegany State Park Roscoe Ski Touring & Mtn. Bike Area in the Allegany Region of Western New York tops the list of favorite places to ride during the fall foliage season in October. These wide trails wind through mixed oak and hardwood old-growth forests and offer spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, forests and Red House Lake.
The awe-inspiring fall foliage season has always attracted visitors including cyclists to the Hudson Valley Region. People also come here for pumpkins and apple picking, farm markets and foliage festivals. Minnewaska State Park Preserve and the private Mohonk Preserve offer extensive networks of carriage trails that wind along the 2,000 ft. Shawangunk ridge, providing spectacular panaromic views of the colorful show below. For an easy, relaxed ride (great for families with younger children) take the Walkill Valley Rail Trail along the beautiful Walkill River near New Paltz (early-mid October).
Enjoy the dramatic scenery of the Catskill Mountains while mountain biking on The Catskill Scenic Rail Trail for a superb mountain bike excursion that is spectacular during the fall foliage season in New York State.
Visit the New York State Department of Economic Development website for fall foliage updates.
Autumn Mountain Biking Trails In New Jersey
 With such a diverse landscape from mountain peaks to bogs, lakes and forests, New Jersey is an ideal destination to get out and enjoy oyur favorite outdoor activities while appreciating the red, orange and yellow hues of the fall. Autumn brings a wealth of opportunities to explore the state's more than 325,000 acres of scenic forests, valleys and mountains.
The northern tier of the state, encompassing the Skyland's wild and scenic wilderness and the Gateway region, is especially scenic during the fall. Wawayanda State Park, Stokes State Forest, Voorhees State Park and Ringwood State Park offer trails for mountain biking that wind through forests ablaze with color or climb to overlook points for spectacular vistas of the autumn show below.
Peters Valley Mountain Bike Tour travels over the rolling terrain of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and offers lovely views of the mountains blanketed with deep oranges and golds. The Peters Valley Crafts Center, a nationally recognized center for fine crafts will hold their annual Fair at the County Fairgrounds this September 16 - 17, 2007. Don't miss the Millbrook Days celebration on October 1-2, 2007 when more than 150 volunteers of the Millbrook Village Society bring this historic village to life.
The Columbia Rail Trail, The Sussex Branch Rail Trail and Paulinskill Rail Trail provide easy riding while leaf viewing (early-mid October).
Wharton State Forest (pictured top right), the largest single tract of land within the New Jersey State Park System is a must for spectacular fall foliage. This time of the year is the best time to mountain bike here. There are hundreds of unpaved road miles not only for observing fall's colorful landscape, but also for hiking, mountain biking and wildlife observation (mid-late October).
For those of us who won't grow up and those with kids, combine a bike ride on the miles of multi-use trails and bike paths in and adjacent to Allaire State Park with special events taking place within Allaire State Park during the Fall including: arts and crafts fairs, antique shows, Costume Parade and Haunted Hayrides during the historic Allaire Village's All Hallow's Eve Celebration, Interactive Story Telling, Christmas Lantern Tours of the village and more.
Peak color for the entire state comes in October. Early October brings color to the northern regions and works its way to the south in late October. Given the variable nature of each year's weather, no two autumns are exactly alike. The state park and forest rangers suggest you call the nature area you plan to visit before taking to the road. That way, you're sure to see the foliage when it is most colorful.
Check the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Forest Website for Fall Foliage Updates.
Note: Depending on seasonal conditions, peak times may vary slightly from year to year
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