In between, it winds past long, wooded stretches and small farms, with the Delaware River always in view. Each loop uses both New Jersey 29 and unpaved path. Mud, therefore, is rarely a problem. Snow, however, can foul these December and January rides. The rest of the year the trail to the summit and its decommissioned fire tower thoughtfully left open for riders to clamber upon is shady, rolling, and, best of all, dry.
Local racers love Streaked Mountain.
But then, racers are often sadistically enamored of long, ambitious climbs. And this one's a doozy, more than four miles at a 10 percent grade. This is a classic East Coast climb, winding over four passes in the White Mountains. Snowbanks exist as late as May at the top of 2,559-foot Kancamagus Notch, not quite covering the budding tulips, and cooling things pleasantly. The entire route is marked with arrows.