Basking Ridge Outdoor Enthusiast Opens Bike And Coffee Shop

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Biking and being outdoors is in Ian Hughes' DNA. As a young child he would go on 10- to 15-mile bike rides with his parents. So when he lost his job at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic it was only natural for him to open a bike shop and now a coffee shop in his hometown of Bernards Township.

Hughes registered his business Just Riding Along in April 2020 and opened the physical location at 15 Church St. in the Liberty Corner section of Bernards Township in March 2021. Recently, on Jan. 19, Hughes has expanded to add a coffee element to the shop.

"I wasn't planning on opening the shop. I always just thought it was a cool thing that at some point I would love to do. It was always in my head as a thing to do. But honestly, I was scared to pull the trigger," said Hughes.

"Then the world just sort of said 'Hey this is our opportunity.' And I just grabbed it and ran with it," said Hughes.

Hughes grew up in a rural town in Kentucky where his father was a triathlete and his mother was a biker.

"Bikes are just a natural thing for my family. We all rode and went on family bike rides," said Hughes.

His mother would bate him and his siblings with food to bike to the center of town when he was in elementary school — a good 10- to 15-mile round trip.

As he got older he took longer rides — 20- to 40-mile rides — with his father. And as a teen, he would bike all over town in the summer leaving in the morning and not returning until nighttime.

"I love it! There is such a classic thing about riding a bike as a kid. It's freedom and opportunity to do what you want to do," said Hughes.

Hughes eventually moved to the East Coast where he later worked for Greg Cordasco, beloved owner of Liberty Cycle in the township.

After Cordasco died in 2019 of Glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, his shop closed. Hughes always wanted to bring biking back to the township. Now Hughes' new shop is two doors down from Cordasco's former shop. Read More: Beloved Basking Ridge Bike Shop Owner Dies At 56

Hughes shop focuses on all types of biking for all ages. He expressed he wants his shop to be a place anyone can come in, learn about biking, have a cup of coffee, and chat. His effort is to create a biking community.

"From hardcore European riders to hipster mountain bikers to kids, adults, and the elderly - I just want people to ride," said Hughes.

For more information visit justridingalong.org or facebook.com/justridingcycling or call 973-588-3434.

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