Lush green trees, blue skies and sunshine are radiating across the land like an invitation from Mother Nature to start my engine and hit some of my favorite northeasterly routes. I accepted her call and began my journey a few miles north of the New Jersey border at Pine Island, New York.
Scan the QR code above or click here for a route on REVER
Negative depictions of the state in movies and television lead some to think that New Jersey is covered in sprawling metropolises, oil refineries, and “highways jam-packed with broken heroes in last chance transmission,” as Bruce Springsteen put it.
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While it is true for some parts of New Jersey near the municipalities of New York City and Philadelphia, it is called the Garden State for a reason. Northwest New Jersey and northeastern Pennsylvania are blessed with farmland, forests, lakes, rivers, state parks, small towns, country churches, and most importantly, great roads to ride . Those blessings make this detour a memorable favorite.
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With the sun warming my face and the sweet scent of greenery filling my lungs, I rumbled south in my Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT. I sold my heavy Vulcan 1700 Voyager, and although I missed all of its bells and whistles, I enjoyed the rear-end agility of the much lighter 900.
On Glenwood Road (District 26 Road) just north of the New Jersey border, Green Arrow Farm has an impressive replica of a western Plains Indian village. In New Jersey, Glenwood Road splits, and I turned West onto District 565’s zigzag, twisty 565 Street and stopped at Unique Ranch at Glenwood Mountain. Covering 170 acres, it sells free-range beef from Scottish Highlands cattle, free-range chicken, eggs, turkey and pork, as well as local honey and organic fruit and vegetables. They also host private farm-to-table weddings and dinners.
Rolling southwest towards Sussex will take you along the border of the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, a nine-mile stretch along the Wallkill River (one of the few rivers in the United States that flows northward. ) and protect 5,100 acres of land. Wildlife abounds in this area, including waterfowl, raptors, coyotes, deer and bears. During my years traveling through rural New Jersey, I was lucky enough to spot a number of bears, as well as red foxes, a coyote, and lots of wonderful blue herons.
After crossing Highway 23, I passed The Village Smith and Cycle Works, a motorcycle repair shop and blacksmith where you can get new tires for your motorcycle and new shoes for your horses. Naturalist writer and moth Henry David Thoreau said to “simplify, simplify” your life. In rural New Jersey, we say “diversify, diversify” your life for success.
Continuing on 565 to rustic Plains Road, I connect to US Route 206. Heading north towards Mount Kittatinny, I see some interestingly named eateries, such as Jumboland Diner and Firehouse Bagels, there is a real fireplace as part of its decoration.
Passing through part of the Stokes State Forest, which spans more than 16,000 acres, I turned onto 560th Street, sailing toward the Dingmans Ferry Bridge, one of the few remaining privately owned bridges in the United States.
Opened in 1900, the bridge is 530 feet long and spans the Delaware River into Pennsylvania. Experience high above the river on a motorbike on its wooden planks. This rustic bridge is located in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which spans 70,000 acres in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. A boat launch area next to the flyover offers views of the bridge.
Two impressive waterfall areas are nearby: Dingmans Falls and Childs Park. Both are worth a stop. Dingmans Falls can be reached by short, flat walks on the boardwalk and along the stream. Childs Park is more challenging, with stairs going up and down and rough walkways.
After a brief riverside break, I turned on the engine and followed Highway 739 to Silver Lake Road – a winding, winding road through the state’s woodlands, lakes and protected communities. hidden guard. With vast forests of trees spread along both sides of the road, you will feel like you are driving a motorbike through primeval times. Route 402 northward is the same, but at a faster pace.
Blooming Grove Road (District 4004) and Well Road (CR 434), winding past country shops, country houses, and woods. I feel like I’m going through a simpler age in America. At U.S. Sixth Street, a scenic trail that winds through the northern part of Pennsylvania, I rumbled toward Milford, a touristy town with a number of good restaurants.
After a late lunch at the Apple Valley Restaurant, I crossed the modern Milford-Montague Toll Bridge with great river views back to Jersey. The County 650 snake route passes through Stokes State Forest, a favorite spot for riders who love to challenge its curvy curves or just cruise along serenely. Taking routes 519 and 23 to Sussex, I headed northeast on State Route 284 to Bassetts Bridge Road, Lake Wallkill Road and Glenwood Mountain Road.
As my Vulcan weaved its way through the countryside to Route 565/517 and back to Pine Island, I contemplated an interesting ride. It was one of those things I intended to repeat.
