Clinton Road: A Dark Ride

Clinton Road: West Milford, New Jesrey

Happy Late-October Cyclists:

I thought it might be a festive idea to take a cycling trip out in West Milford, NJ on Clinton Road, a famously haunted road in Passaic County, New Jersey.

First of all, Clinton road is a desolate 10 mile stretch of twists and turns. Although most of it is paved, there are some streteches where the road  can be quite rocky. So bring your mountain bikes for this venture... and a friend. I would recommend beginning at Route 23 and biking all the way to the end of Clinton Road, and then turning around and biking it back to Route 23.

There are several scenic features of Clinton Road including the Clinton Reservoir and Greenwood Lake. Despite all of Clinton Road's negative attributes, these places are actually quite lovely and any biker who enjoys landscapes would appreciate their natural appeal.

This road has been featured in Weird NJ for several reasons. Clinton Road's history begins in 1905 when a writer cautioned people from traveling on the road. The writer reported rampant banditry as well as witchcraft in the area.

Clinton Road is also home to Satanists, Ku Klux Klan members and Wiccans. The Wiccans claimed to have built shrines in the area and cast spells. Lots of people hike out to the area to investigate the remains of Cross Castle. Many of these people have reportedly suffered seizures, unexplained bruises and have had distrubing visions after their visit.

There are several other legends of Clinton Road which include: the ghost boy at the bridge, the druidic temple, a ghost truck, strange animal hybrids and the Iceman. The Iceman was actually discovered by a cyclist in 1983 who noticed vultures feasting on a dead body in the woods. Yikes!

At any rate, whether you beileve in these folklores or not, Clinton Road makes for a very festive trip and an exciting 20 mile trek.

For the record, I definitely don't recommend cycling this road at night as it is very dark and therefore unsafe!

1. Weird New Jersey
http://www.weirdnj.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=58&Itemid=28

2. Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinton_Road_(New_Jersey)

Get on a Bike

The Journal of Physical Activity and Health reported that in 2008, Europeans walked 382 km while Americans walked just 140 km per person per year.

Meanwhile, the average European cycled 188 km per year whereas Americans cycled only 40 km per person per year.

So why such a discrepancy? Well, for one, Europeans have more access to public transportation and many of the traffic regulations favor pedestrians and cyclists over motorists.  Additionally, it is more expensive in Europe to purchase and operate a car: European gas is more costly and the European process for obtaining a drivers license is expensive. Therefore, in order to maintain financial stability, Europeans participate more in active transportation (trips taken by walking, bicycling and public transit). However, Europeans have also created a culture specifically geared toward walking and cycling. Much of this is due to a well-developed cycling infrastructure which includes segregated bike lanes and access to bike racks.

Some researchers have suggested that the physical activity generated by active transportation is helpful in weight control. In fact, regular cyclists enjoy a fitness level equal to that of a person ten years younger. Cycling not only controls your weight, but also cuts your risk for heart disease in half by cycling only 20 miles a week.

1. "Walking, Cycling and Obesity Rates in Europe, North American and Australia"
http://policy.rutgers.edu/faculty/pucher/JPAH08.pdf

2. "Why Cycle?"
http://www.whycycle.co.uk/why_cycle/