Looks like I’m going to be in NJ for a week between my two A races, Lake Logan International, a hilly course outside of Ashville NC early in August and Outer Banks Triathlon, one that’s pancake flat in mid-September. My in laws are in the Lakewood area. I’d like to make the best of my time up there. Are there any opportunities to bike without confronting a lot of traffic? Flat, hot and windy actually would make a good combination. Can anyone provide details on Island Beach State Park? Can I enter the park at the crack of dawn before cars are let in? Is it a viable place to train? Also, thoughts on places to swim on the bay side somewhere in proximity to Lakewood? I appreciate any information that can be provided. Thanks!
I’ve had a VERY long love/hate relationship w/ IBSP, having logged literally 1000s of miles in there (we were actually just discussing it a couple months ago: http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=4941201;search_string=island%20beach%20state;#4941201). You can get in/out of the park at any time on your bike, although if you intend to drive down there, you can’t physically enter the park w/ a vehicle until after the park opens. With that, assuming you’ll be heading down there bright & early, there will be ample parking literally right outside of the park entrance.
Depending on where you’re coming from in Lakewood, it may not be the most cycling-friendly roads, so if you’re set on riding IBSP, your best bet is to drive down there.
As far as swimming in the bay in August, in all likelihood that’s probably not going to be possible (or at the very least, not comfortable) as the jellyfish typically move into the bay by August & they can be REALLY bad. Most of us will start out in the bays/rivers early in the season as they’re ~10F warmer than the ocean & then we’ll move into the ocean once it’s warm enough & the jellies move in.
We have a REALLy nice group swim Monday PM & Thurs/Fri AM in Long Branch & typically have between 40-80 swimmers in the water. Long Branch is about a 30min drive from Lakewood (details from one of our swims last year):
https://www.facebook.com/events/226091647540910/
When it gets closer to your trip, feel free to shoot me an e-mail & I can let you know what we’re up to: Brian@PersonalBestNutrition.com
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Brian, thanks for the guidance. Sounds like IBSP is THE option for what I’m looking for. The plan would be to drive down there, park outside and then enter the park on the bike. A couple or three loops sounds like it would provide me with what I need as I read your post from earlier in the year. From your perspective, is IBSP the best alternative? I’ll certainly get in touch prior to coming up. The ocean swim group sounds great. I grew up on Long Island and recall the periodic jelly fish invasion well, though I must admit they’d slipped my mind. Obviously I’ve been away too long! Again, thanks for the information you provided. It’s much appreciated. Ed
Looks like I’m going to be in NJ for a week between my two A races, Lake Logan International, a hilly course outside of Ashville NC early in August and Outer Banks Triathlon, one that’s pancake flat in mid-September. My in laws are in the Lakewood area. I’d like to make the best of my time up there. Are there any opportunities to bike without confronting a lot of traffic? Flat, hot and windy actually would make a good combination. Can anyone provide details on Island Beach State Park? Can I enter the park at the crack of dawn before cars are let in? Is it a viable place to train? Also, thoughts on places to swim on the bay side somewhere in proximity to Lakewood? I appreciate any information that can be provided. Thanks!
For biking without traffic, head northwest from Lakewood. Once you cross 195, you can do 40+ miles on farmland roads with very little traffic. I do all my riding in that area. Every charity century in Central Jersey goes through that area. Go to mapmyride and look for Monmouth County rides, and you’ll find lots of routes of various lengths.
You’ll get all the flat, hot and windy you could possibly want, and if you plan it correctly you can hit the Clarksburg General Store for food/drink/bathroom (if you know to ask) at the right time in your ride.
Not much freshwater swimming in the area, though. Best bet is to join a group such as Brian’s and swim in the ocean.
Run in Ocean County Park, around the Manasquan Reservoir, or take a drive to Holmdel Park and do the toughest 5km cross-country course around.
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Agree about going north of 195. Take Lakewood Farmingdale Road, which is not great, 10 miles north to the area around Manasquan Resevoir and Allaire Park and tool around the park in that area. Good amount of cyclists, safe quiet farm roads. Excellent Riding. Driving up ocean ave thru Spring Lake and Belmar to Asbury Park will have a little less traffic than IBSP and still give you some decent Ocean rides, but do the speed work about the resevoir and park.
I think there is a lake in Lakewood that you can swim in.