Inland from Shrewsbury and the Jersey Shore, western Monmouth County is a surprise to anyone who thinks New Jersey is all highways and suburbs. This is farm country, with horse paddocks, sod farms, orchards and fields of corn and soybeans, crossed by quiet roads and dotted with small villages. Allentown, a few miles west, is a delightful old mill town with a millpond, a main street of eighteenth-century houses and antique shops.
The area has deep historical roots. A short ride north-east, near Freehold, the Battle of Monmouth was fought on a scorching day in June 1778, one of the largest battles of the Revolution. Legend says that a woman known as Molly Pitcher carried water to the soldiers and took her husband's place at a cannon when he collapsed, and the battlefield is now a state park with a visitor centre and walking trails across the orchards and fields.
The riding here is gentle and pleasant, with roads winding between farms and through small woods. The land is flat to gently rolling, with few challenging bends, but the scenery is pleasant and the traffic light compared with the rest of the state. Watch for farm vehicles, horses and deer, and for sandy patches at the edges of the road. Summer brings heat and humidity, while autumn is crisp and colourful.
Fuel and food are available in Allentown, Freehold and the larger towns along the main roads, with attendants pumping fuel as everywhere in New Jersey. Farm stands sell fresh produce, pies and cider in season, and local diners offer hearty breakfasts. It is an easy place for a quiet halt before heading towards Long Island and its lighthouses.