The 9w Trail Ride: Alpine Scout Camp
It might just be our imagination, but I swear every time we ride over the GWB on our mountain bikes, we get bewildered looks from other cyclists. Lycra and flat bars and knobby tires just doesn’t compute. Well, get used to it because the 9W+ ride is becoming one of my favorite local rides, and I’m quickly recruiting fellow converts. The destination: Alpine Scout Camp, one of my favorite local mountain bike trails.
The Scout Camp trails are off Ruckman Rd near Kiku*, a 9W landmark familiar to all NYC cyclists and also where nobody, to my knowledge, has ever eaten. The Scout Camp trails run adjacent to an active Boy Scout camp, hence the name (thank you, scouts!). There’s a decent mix of fire road, smooth and flowy singletrack, chunky sharp rock gardens, bigger boulder rolls, narrow bridges, and built up features, all situated in a fairly compact wooded area. And, given the topography of Alpine, NJ, there’s also plenty of climbing and descending. Some of the trails are rideable on a cross bike by a skilled bike handler, but are much more fun on a mountain bike.
I personally love it for the progression of easy to challenging features, and that I can ride to the trail. It’s a great place to practice technical riding, and also get in a good workout (did I mention climbing?). A typical “short” Scout Camp trip for me would be about a 3 hour ride: River Road up, a couple loops on the trails, and 9W return. If there’s a headwind, riding 9W on a mountain bike can be a slog. But in a group, hauling ass on mountain bikes on pavement is a blast.
#Protips: Take it easy on the way out. Enjoy the scenery on River Road. (Sidebar: stop to look at the bald eagle nest. You just might be lucky enough to see a mini bald eagle). Bring lots of snacks & water, and end the trail portion of the ride well before you’re tired. Use the ride home to empty the tank instead. Finally, check trail conditions & map of where bikes are allowed before you go. Riding muddy trails can ruin them, so brush up on your trail etiquette and ask folks if you’re unsure. Always be courteous to other users and good trail ambassadors!
The multi-use trails are built and maintained by Palisades MTB, a local IMBA chapter, comprised of volunteer advocates and trail builders. What Palisades MTB have built at Scout Camp and elsewhere in the region is nothing short of amazing. Please consider supporting them by joining the chapter, or volunteering at their trail work days. More info can be found on their website and Facebook group.
Now that more of us on the team have discovered the joy of mountain biking, we’ll be sure to share more local tips with you here on the Journal.
*Dear operators of Kiku: consider opening an iced tea & onigiri snack stand. I promise you it will be worth your while.
Enjoy the gallery below by Matt.
I am a New Yorker who rides bikes of all kinds, sometimes runs, loves cats, and nerds out on transit justice issues. I am an advocate at heart and a member of the All Powerful Bicycle Lobby, though opinions here are my own.
Instagram: @luciadlite
Twitter: @luciadlite
E-mail: lucia@tobedetermined.cc
