New Jersey · United States
Cycling in Somerville
Best season: April–October
Somerville is a compact Central New Jersey town whose four-corner downtown grid becomes a world-class racecourse every Memorial Day. The Tour of Somerville, first run in 1940 by Fred “Pop” Kugler and billed as the “Kentucky Derby of Cycling,” is the oldest continuously held major bike race in the United States; the featured Kugler-Anderson 50-mile pro race turns Main Street into a fast, tight European-style crit that has launched Olympians and national champions. Away from race day the riding is suburban but genuine: quiet Somerset County farm roads roll west toward the Sourland Mountains, and the paved, car-free loops of Duke Farms sit just across the river in Hillsborough.
Duke Farms (80 US-206, Hillsborough) is the area’s premier ride — more than 18 miles of paved trails through a former estate, free to enter and closed to cars. It historically ran an on-site bike-rental tent, but that program is currently suspended, so plan to bring your own bike; the property is an easy pedal or short drive from downtown Somerville.
Bike-friendly lodging in Somerville proper is thin. There is no downtown hotel with a formal loaner or rental program, so most visiting riders base out of the chain hotels a few miles east in Bridgewater and drive to the start. In town, Pops Bike Shop on East Main Street is the local full-service shop for repairs, spares and last-minute help; call ahead for rental availability, as it is not advertised on their site. For a broader rental fleet, cyclists typically look toward larger shops elsewhere in the county.
Each Memorial Day weekend Somerville hosts the Tour of Somerville, America’s oldest major bicycle race — a downtown criterium that’s easy to build a late-May trip around whether you’re racing or spectating.
Weather in Somerville
Live · NWSLoading current conditions…
Typical by month
avg high/low · 1991–2020 normals · SOMERVILLE 4 NW- Jan 39° 19° 3.5"
- Feb 41° 20° 2.8"
- Mar 50° 27° 4.1"
- Apr 62° 36° 4.0"
- May 72° 46° 3.4"
- Jun 80° 56° 4.3"
- Jul 86° 62° 4.7"
- Aug 83° 60° 3.7"
- Sep 77° 53° 4.3"
- Oct 64° 41° 4.3"
- Nov 54° 31° 3.2"
- Dec 43° 24° 4.4"
Bike-friendly hotels
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Hampton Inn & Suites Bridgewater
Standard Hilton-brand hotel on US-22 about 4 miles east of downtown Somerville; no bike-specific program — listed only as a practical, well-located base for the Tour of Somerville with free parking and easy access to Somerset County riding. Ask the front desk about storing a bike in-room.
From $140+/night
Before you book: No bicycle program is advertised; this is a location-only base. Confirm whether bikes can be stored in-room or in a secure area, and the best route/drive from the hotel to the downtown Somerville start.
Bike program reported via source (2026-07-18)
Bridgewater Marriott
Full-service Marriott at Bridgewater Commons, roughly 5 miles from the Somerville racecourse. No loaner or rental bikes — included as a comfortable base for race weekend, not for an on-site bike program. Suitable for spectators and racers who drive to the start.
From $170+/night
Before you book: No bicycle program advertised; location-only listing. Confirm bike storage options and secure parking for race weekend.
Bike program reported via source (2026-07-18)
Where to stay in Somerville
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Where to rent or borrow a bike
Pops Bike Shop
Rates by phone
Full-service local shop at 34 East Main Street in downtown Somerville — repairs, trade-ins and group rides. Third-party listings mention rentals; the shop's own site lists only repair, trade-in and rides, so call ahead to confirm rental availability and fleet.
Call ahead: Rentals are reported on Yelp but not stated on the shop's own website (which lists repair, trade-ins and rides only). Confirm whether they actually rent bikes, what types, pricing, and any waiver.
Reported via source (2026-07-18)
Guided bike tours
Tour of Somerville Cycling Classic
Tour of Somerville · 6h
The historic Memorial Day criterium weekend in downtown Somerville — free to spectate from Main Street, with registration open to racers across amateur and pro categories. The featured Kugler-Anderson 50-mile pro race is the oldest major bike race in the U.S. (since 1940).
Where these are on the map Somerville
Hotels Rentals & loaners · 3 of this destination's listings located · © OpenStreetMap contributors