The best road cycling routes around Brigantine

The Brigantine Island loop offers an easy road cycling experience, covering 12.8 miles (20.6 km) with a minimal elevation gain of just 21 feet (6 metres). You can expect to complete this flat ride in about 50 minutes, making it perfect for a quick outing. As you cycle, you will enjoy picturesque coastal views, looking out over Brigantine Beach and towards Atlantic City in the distance. The fresh sea air accompanies you along well-paved surfaces, providing a pleasant atmosphere for spotting local wildlife.

Planning your visit to Brigantine Island is straightforward, as the area is known for being bike-friendly. The route is predominantly flat and well-maintained, making it suitable for road bikes. You will find that parking is generally available around the island, which simplifies access to the loop. This accessibility ensures you can easily start your ride and enjoy the coastal scenery without hassle.

A notable feature of this route is the Brigantine Seawall, which provides a smooth path for cyclists. Along the seawall, you will find benches where you can pause and take in the expansive ocean vistas. This loop stands out for its combination of gentle terrain and beautiful seaside views, offering a relaxing ride that highlights the natural charm of Brigantine.

The Atlantic Avenue loop offers a delightful road cycling experience, weaving together the vibrant urban landscape of Atlantic City with the serene coastal stretches of its neighboring towns. You'll cruise along flat roads, passing by the sandy shores of Atlantic City Beach and Margate City Beach, with the ocean breeze often accompanying your ride. The route provides a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for soaking in the diverse scenery without any strenuous climbs.

Planning your ride on this easy 16.6-mile (26.7 km) loop is straightforward, with an estimated duration of just 1 hour and 7 minutes and a negligible 32 feet (10 metres) of elevation gain. The route is well-suited for casual cyclists and families, offering a gentle way to explore the area. You'll find bike lanes in towns like Ventnor and Margate, and during summer, you can even cycle on the boardwalk until noon for a car-free option.

What makes this route stand out is its blend of city and shore, allowing you to experience both the lively atmosphere of Atlantic City and the calmer seaside charm of towns like Ventnor, home to its pier, and Margate, where you can spot the quirky Lucy the Elephant. It's a fantastic choice for a leisurely outing, providing a unique perspective on this stretch of the New Jersey coast.

The Atlantic City and Somers Point Bike Path Loop offers a delightful spin through coastal New Jersey, primarily on flat, paved surfaces. You'll cruise past residential neighborhoods, local parks, and even some short wooded sections, with the highlight being the scenic bay views as you approach Somers Point. This multi-use path provides a pleasant and varied backdrop for your ride, connecting several communities along the way.

This easy 25.4-mile (40.8 km) road cycling route has a minimal 97 feet (30 metres) of elevation gain, making it achievable in about 1 hour and 45 minutes. It's a fantastic option for families or anyone seeking a relaxed ride without significant climbs. The trail is well-maintained and accessible from various points within the towns it traverses, so you can easily hop on and off.

Built largely on a former rail corridor, this trail is a prime example of a successful rail-to-trail conversion, offering a consistently flat and smooth ride. From Somers Point, you can even connect to the Ocean City Bike Path via the Route 52 Causeway for an extended adventure with more waterfront vistas. It's a great way to explore the region's natural features and local life on two wheels.

The Atlantic County Bikeway Loop offers a delightful road cycling experience, transitioning from coastal development to the serene New Jersey Pinelands. You'll glide along a smooth, 10-foot-wide asphalt path, much of it a former rail trail, enjoying varied scenery that includes glimpses of the Great Egg Harbor River and the Estell Manor Park Wildlife Management area. This route is predominantly flat, making it an easy and enjoyable ride for cyclists of all levels.

Planning your ride is simple, as there are no permits or fees required to access the bikeway. You can easily find parking at various points along the loop, which is well-suited for road bikes. While the route is accessible year-round, consider visiting in the spring or fall for the most pleasant weather conditions, allowing you to fully appreciate the changing landscapes.

This 45.3-mile (72.8 km) loop, with a minimal 279 feet (85 metres) of elevation gain, is rated moderate and typically takes about 2 hours and 58 minutes to complete. It's a fantastic option for those seeking a longer, yet relaxed, ride through a mix of environments, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and local history through its former rail corridor.