AMC New York-North Jersey Chapter

Bicycling

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Bicycle Committee

The Chapter Bicycle program offers bicycle touring, mountain bike riding, and in-line skating. Check the online Bicycle Schedule for the cycling and skating events that are offered.

Mountain Bikers

Most AMC members are hikers, and there are many possibilities for conflicts between hikers and mountain bikers who often want to use the same trails. To help minimize these conflicts, the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference has compiled a Where To Ride Your Mountain Bike page. Please check it out.

Rating System for Bicycling and In-Line Skating

AMC biking promotes cycling and in-line skating for fun, fitness, and enjoyment of the environment. The classifications fall into three main categories: touring, mountain biking and in-line skating. For the touring classifications, we append the average miles per hour for the trip. For example, using the table below, a moderate to brisk touring ride which averages 12 miles per hour is coded as B12. For the touring events our write-ups also describe the terrain.

Touring
A - Vigorous riding with advanced bike handling ability including cooperative paceline skills. Stops every two hours or so.
B - Moderate to brisk riding with more attention to scenery. Stops every hour or so.
C - Leisurely to moderate riding, sightseeing and destination oriented. Stops every half hour or so.
Mountain Biking:
ATB1 - Hilly to mountainous and single track riding. Mountain bikes only.
ATB2 - Rolling to hilly with some single track and trail riding. Mountain and hybrid bikes.
ATB3 - Flat to rolling, trail and road riding. Mountain and hybrid bikes.
In-Line Skating:
INS1 - Vigorous skating at a fast, steady pace requiring strong skills in maneuverability, braking and control on steep hills. May include speed-skating. Not for beginners. Stops every two hours.
INS2 - Moderate to brisk skating at a steady pace, requiring intermediate skills in maneuverability, braking and control on moderate hills. Stops every hour or so.
INS3 - Leisurely to moderate pace, requiring basic skating skills. Terrain is generally flat or gently sloping. Trip is relaxation-oriented. Stops every half hour or so.

Snell or ANSI approved helmets required for all trips (cycling & in-line skating) and eye protection for some trips. Protective gear for knees, elbows and wrists are recommended for in-line skaters. Experience level must be comparable to trip level. Riders are also required to carry spare tube to fit their bike, tire irons, patch kit, pump, tools, filled water bottle and rain gear. Confirm ride start with leader. Become a ride leader. Share your favorite routes and contribute to Club cycling. Help us plan biking trips with other clubs such as CLIMB. Call the Committee Chair with ideas or inquiries. Learn about the philosophy of AMC biking and meet fellow AMC bikers; come to our biking meetings. For more information about the bicycling program contact the Bicycle Committee Chair.

Contact information for committee chairs and activity chairs can be found on the Chapter Committee page.

Join Us On Our Trips and Events