Bicycle commuting to seastreak ferry in (Atlantic) Highlands (Union, Red Bank: home, to buy)

[SowerCleaver]

Hi -

I'm looking to buy a place in Rumson, Fair Haven or Atlantic Highlands in Monmouth county. I need to commute to downtown nyc and will be taking the seastreak ferry.

I'm also thinking riding a bicycle between home and the seastreak ferry stations (either AH or Highlands). Is anyone doing this -- if so I'd appreciate any tips (like where to lock the bike at the ferry stations and whether the area's bike-friendly).

Also, how different are Rumson and Fair Haven from each other? It seems that Rumson is a little bit more affluent and has little bit better schools but FH is not too far behind? AH seems to be more focused on younger people than these two areas?

Thanks in advance,

Prospective bike/ferry commuter

[KCV]

I don't quite know the edges of the towns yet, where one town starts and the other begins, but it seems to me, that Rumson and Fair Haven are not really in biking distance to either Highlands or AH (I live in Highlands, a 10 minute walk to the ferry). I can't recall a bike rack at the Highlands ferry, but I do know you can take the bike onto the ferry if you needed to. My husband used to take his bike on the ferry and then bike from Pier 11 to work. Til the bike got stolen in Union Square.

[solibs]

I don't know how serious of a cyclist you are but my own threshold for cycling to work is ~5 miles

The closest parts of Rumson are within a reasonable biking distance of Highlands. But they call it Highlands for a reason and that hill will be no fun at all - and since you have to go up one side and down the other to get to the ferry you get to do it in both directions.

Living in Fair Haven will add two miles on to the trip and parts of Rumson are further still.

The bus from Red Bank to Sea Bright goes down River Rd. so if you live anywhere along there you can always rack your bike, hop off the bus and cross the Oceanic Bridge heading towards Highlands. From the corner of River Rd. and Bingham/Oceanic it's probably about 4 miles to the ferry.

[SowerCleaver]

Thanks much, KCV and solibs. I figure from Rumson it will be 5-6 miles to either of the ferry stations and from FH 6-8 miles. I'm trying to do it so that (A) I can combine commuting with workout and (B) my wife doesn't need to drop me off everyday (planning to buy just one car for the family when we move there). I'll see whether I can stick to the plan.

solibs -- I was planning to take the route through the Oceanic Bridge and Navesink rather than through Sea Bright. Is that route hilly as well? I figured Route 36 would be too busy during morning commute.

Also, is there any other means of transportation from Rumson/FH to the ferry stations? Is there a bus service or is a taxi viable at all?

Thanks again,

[solibs]

Originally Posted by SowerCleaver

solibs -- I was planning to take the route through the Oceanic Bridge and Navesink rather than through Sea Bright. Is that route hilly as well? I figured Route 36 would be too busy during morning commute.

It doesn't matter. The hill is the same regardless of which direction you approach it from. Unless you're living right next to the Sea Bright bridge I would not take Ocean Ave. for the simple reason that it's the long way around.

Also, is there any other means of transportation from Rumson/FH to the ferry stations? Is there a bus service or is a taxi viable at all?

Thanks again,

The only transit bus that serves Highlands goes to Red Bank via Middletown, not Rumson. Taxis are an alternative but I wouldn't expect to flag one down on the street. I would call ahead and have one meet you at the terminal.