NJ Highland Park-Murray Hill

RideType: Commute Route

bikefrom: Highland Park, NJ
bikefromstreet: Harrison and River

biketo: Murray Hill
biketostreet: Diamond Hill, McKane

mileage: 16.7
difficulty: 4
explain: mostly flat, steep hill at the end

cityroute: Piscataway, Plainfeild, Scotch Plains, New Providence
roadroute: Left onto River Road from Harrison Ave

At light take a right onto Cedar Lane. Go up the hill past all the garden apartments and take the second left past them. When you get to the technical high school (~.5 miles) make a left onto Suttons Lane. Stay on Suttons passing 3 lights as it winds around.

Go past the farm and pass through 2 more lights. At the T intersection take a left onto Washington. Stay on Washington passing a light, a middle school and then hitting another light before going over a bridge over train tracks. Dodge the sewers and take a right at the next light. That is 7th Street. Now you have done around 7 miles.

Stay on 7th going through Plainfield's main streets (about 7 lights to Plainfield Ave) then go a short block and 2 much longer ones. You will see a grammer or middle school on your right. At the light take a left and a right or go to the next street which is Leland and stay on it until you get to Front Street. By that point you will have gone about 14 miles.

Take a right onto Front Street pass through the light and take a left at the next light. You are now in Scotch Plains. This is Park Ave. Take it through the next light and then get into the left lane and turn onto the bridge which leads you over route 22 toward New Providence. After the bridge you will go straight through the light. past a cement yard on one side and a brook with a waterfall on the other. After you come to the next light it is time to sweat.

Go straight through the light and up Diamond Hill Road. Pass the entrance ramp to Rt 78 and then the exit ramp from it, being careful of traffic. At the next light you are at McKane. Turn right onto McKane if you are going to Bell Labs. Mountain Ave is the next intersection.

hillprof: Medium
road-construction: Diamond Hill
ExcessTraffic : Park Ave over bridge over Rt 22, Diamond Hill after Valley Road intersection

road-road: Diamond Hill just after Valley Road there is poor asphalt
consider-shoulder: No
Shoulder road-shoulder: Diamond Hill, street parking on 7th Street
Best times: 6am-9am

name: Merryll Abrahams
biketype: Miyata 1000 touring bike
last ridden: July 18, 1996

comments: I like to get out early to avoid as much traffic as possible.

email: mka@research.att.com