Lake Loop - Landing, New Jersey - Cycling

The Lake Loop is a Cycling race in Landing, New Jersey consisting of a 62 Miles and 40 Miles and 20 Miles.

Choose your challenge!

Join us on Sunday, October 1 for our annual Bike/Run/Paddle challenge at Hopatcong State Park. Participants can choose from a:

62-mile bike ride
40-mile bike ride
20-mile bike ride
2.5-mile paddle
5K trail run/walk
Get active, have fun, and raise funds for a vibrant and healthy Lake Hopatcong and community. Registration is $50 (early bird $45 through June 1!) for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. Included with your registration is swag, great food, live music, and fun at Hopatcong State Park.

Besides being entered in a drawing just for registering, participants are once again eligible to win prizes for the most funds raised as an individual and as a team. When you register, a fundraising page will be automatically set up and sent to you via email.

Tips for all participants
The Lake Loop is a rain or shine event; however, should the event need to be adjusted or cancelled due to severe/dangerous weather, all registrants will receive an email on Friday.
We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes ahead of your event, to allow time to park, check in, and collect your event swag and food/drink vouchers
Mass start times are scheduled so that all participants will finish the Lake Loop at (approximately) the same time. We strongly suggest being on time for your mass start, to ensure you can safely enjoy your activity and be back in time for lunch and prizes.
Courses will close 30 minutes after each start time
The registration/check-in table will be staffed starting at 7:15 AM. Onsite registration is available, but pre-registration is highly encouraged (pre-register so you don't miss a chance to win prizes!)

RIDE DETAILS
The 20-mile cycling course takes you over rolling terrain that, as the name Lake Loop suggests, loops the lake and offers views best appreciated from a bicycle. This course is great for experienced cyclists, weekend warriors, and riders looking to pace themselves alike.
For experienced cyclists looking for more of a challenge, the 40- and 62-mile courses include hilly extensions north of the lake, through the towns of Sparta and Ogdensburg. They feature their own awesome views, as you travel over streams, around forested preserves, and through town centers.

Age restrictions: while we do not have age restrictions in place for our rides, due to the nature of the courses, which include busy intersections, tricky turns, and some strenuous hills, they are NOT recommended for riders younger than 16 years old, and those under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

Info and tips for cyclists

A contact number for the Support And Gear (SAG) Vehicle will be provided.
To ensure all participants have been accounted for, we ask cyclists to acheck outa post-ride at the same table where they checked in.
To accommodate those who might need a little extra time to complete their ride, 20 milers may start with the 40 milers, and both may start with the 62 milers.
Cyclists will be required to sign one additional waiver, which you can print, sign, and bring with you to save time.
Riders under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult; the course is not recommended for those younger than 16 years old.
Helmets must be worn and we ask all cyclists to follow proper passing etiquette.
This is not a race! Enjoy your ride, take in the views, challenge yourself on hill climbs, but above all, use caution. The roads around the lake can be narrow and winding, the turns sharp a" but the feeling when you finish can't be beat!

RUN/WALK DETAILS
This unique trail run will take you in and around Hopatcong State Park with challenging hilly trails, over the sandy beach, and back to the finish line. The varied terrain will be fun and interesting and will give you a new appreciation for Hopatcong State Park. The course is approximately 1.5 miles long and those running the 5k will complete the course twice.

Info and tips for 5k trail runners/walkers

The 5K is not a race, nor is it timed; however, free to time yourself using your preferred fitness app or consider joining our Lake Loop Strava club.
This is a fun, funky, and challenging course through the state park: up along the trails, down past the soccer fields, past the sandy beach, to the fountain, and back.
2 laps = a 5K
Follow the cones, signs, and trail marshals to stay on course.
Use caution when running past the paddling area
There will be one water stop, near the beach
There are two aturn arounda points on the course, one past the soccer field and one at the Fountain.

PADDLE DETAILS
Paddle around the lake on a 2.5-mile course. Push off and experience the peaceful beauty of Lake Hopatcong. The course will be marked and patrolled for a safe and fun day of paddling. Participants may use their own kayaks/paddleboards/canoes at their own risk. Life jackets are required for all paddling participants. Tandem kayaks are welcome, however, each participant must be registered.

We have partnered with Ramsey Outdoors again this year and a limited number of kayaks will be available for rent during the registration process. If you rent, your kayak will be on the beach ready to go when you arrive.

Info and tips for paddlers

The Lake Hopatcong Foundation is an organization that promotes the use of personal flotation devices (PFDs), and as such, requires them to be worn as part of our event. Thank you for helping us promote a safer lake!
All minors must be accompanied by an adult on the water.
Boat wash stations will be placed near the launch for a quick wipe-down, which helps prevent the introduction of invasive species to our lake.
The course follows a series of yellow buoys, clockwise, out to Bertrand Island, around King Cove, and back to the State Park. Several course marshals will be on the water to provide guidance and assistance.
Two NJ State Police safety boats will be patrolling the course to help any paddler in distress.
We ask all paddlers to check-in and check-out down at the water (in addition to checking in at registration) to help us ensure all paddlers come off the water safely.