Living Well in the Garden State: Training Wheels

Whether you’re a boardwalk pedal pusher or a mountain ascending fiend, make sure to get the right set of wheels for your terrain. North Jersey off-roaders will do best with a multi­speed mountain bike that’s geared low enough to get you over the bumps and through the woods. Colorful beach cruisers like the Electra Super Deluxe (top right) are better for the Shore’s flat terrain. If you have a passion for the Shore and for the mountains, consider a hybrid (like the Trek 7100, right), which combines the comfort of a mountain bike with the lightweight frame and style of a road racer. “They’re a more laid-back ride,” says Tom Briede, owner of Victory Bike, Board and Ski in Union (2559 Morris Avenue, 908-686-2383). But, Briede cautions, choose smoother trails when navigating on a hybrid.
—Ashley V. Neglia