Featured Blog Post By Maureen Fitzpatrick, member of Bike Gloucester County
If you’ve ever wondered how many miles of road crisscross Gloucester County, just ask Jimmy Aspras — his legs know the answer. They might groan and creak a little, but after logging nearly 2,000 miles across every public road in the county, they’ve certainly earned the right to complain — and to tell his story.
At 35, Jimmy Aspras is a member of Bike Gloucester County, a local group that promotes cycling and community in the heart of beautiful South Jersey. He’s also a lifelong Pitman resident, a dedicated husband to Barbara, and a proud dad to Ellie (6) and Max (3). Weekend family rides on the Monroe Township Bike Path are his way to unwind — but when the itch to push himself kicks in, Jimmy doesn’t just ride. He thrives.
Jimmy’s love of cycling began early, but it deepened at age eighteen when he made the rare teenage choice to skip his senior trip and invest in a better bike instead. That decision set the wheels in motion for a lifetime of long-distance rides and endurance challenges.
His first ventures into serious distance came with the Pennsylvania Randonneurs, a group known for grueling long-distance events. It was there he discovered the introspective suffering and satisfaction of endurance riding. One of his most punishing rides was the Blue Ridge to Bay, a 1,200-kilometer grind over four days that tested him with rain, heat, and cold — and nearly broke him. But he pressed on, driven by the eyes of fellow riders and his own refusal to quit. He finished, exhausted but fired up for the next big ride.
That drive led him north — and into the snow. Jimmy took on winter ultra-endurance events across the northern U.S. and Canada, but his favorite was the Arrowhead 135 in Minnesota. Often listed among the world’s toughest races, it sees just a 35% first-time finisher rate. Jimmy beat those odds, powering through subzero temperatures and treacherous terrain. It only made sense that he would one day turn his sights to a challenge closer to home.
Encouraged by his friend Aaron, Jimmy began riding more of the county’s roads — at first casually, and then with purpose. One ride turned into many, and soon he had a new goal: ride every single public road in Gloucester County. That’s nearly 2,000 miles of local roads- and he planned to pedal every inch.
At first, he tracked progress the old-school way: by coloring in completed routes on a digital map in MS Paint. Later, he switched to Wandrer.earth, an app that logs unique miles for cyclists and runners and provides visual data to guide future adventures. He credits the app for keeping himself organized and motivated.
The project started during the early days of the pandemic and wrapped up just last year. Jimmy rode mostly on weekends, squeezing in 15–20 new miles per outing, though his rides regularly stretched to 80 miles. He insisted on starting each ride from home — no driving to new routes. Even if it meant covering the same roads again and again, he was determined to complete the journey under his own power, aboard his trusty titanium Litespeed bike.
There were challenges, of course. Dead-end roads were maddening, requiring turnarounds and extra miles — not to mention the occasional awkward dodge around backyard BBQs and pop-up soccer games. The brutal heat of last summer nearly did him in, too. But there were countless joys along the way. Jimmy discovered forgotten roads like Floodgate Road and Old Ferry Road in Logan Township, tucked-away neighborhoods he never knew existed, and quiet beauty just minutes from the chaos of Route 42. Seasonal rides were especially magical — glowing Christmas lights reflecting on his jersey, Halloween displays, and the small-town charm of community life made every mile feel alive.
With Gloucester County now fully ridden, Jimmy has set his sights on Salem County, and he’s toying with the idea of tackling the Iditarod Trail Invitational, a snow race in Alaska that follows the iconic dogsled route from Anchorage to Nome. In the meantime, his focus is on advocacy — getting more people on bikes and pushing for better road accessibility and infrastructure. He points to Woodbury, NJ, as a model, where designated bike lanes have created a safer, more cooperative environment for drivers and cyclists. He also continues his work as the Chair of Sustainable Pitman, a group dedicated to building a better world through local sustainability efforts. One of their current initiatives is helping to pave the way for a bike path connecting Rowan University to the Edelman Fossil Park and Museum in Sewell. Sustainable Pitman has also received a grant to connect Lambs Road to Holly Ave and Albert Ave; this multi-use path is in the process of being built!
Jimmy Aspras may be a modest cyclist from Pitman, but his journey reflects a deep curiosity and a drive to see goals through. Through his rides and advocacy, he hopes to inspire others to explore their own communities, take in the everyday beauty around them, and rediscover where they live—one ride at a time.
Jimmy can be reached at jimaspras@gmail.com