Historic Philly is a new, 5BBC 3-day weekend bicycle trip to Philadelphia (our country’s “first city”) and to its historic and scenic environs (including Valley Forge, and the Schulykill River bikeway). Ride leaders Susan Rodetis and Howard Hall have worked out a great combo of easy travel, fun cycling, and hanging out in Philly, exploring its environs and getting steeped in local lore and colonial history. Make way for us, Ben Franklin!

Our leaders also scored neat accommodations at a colonial era mansion that’s on the National Historic Register (and which is now a hostel) inside the largest park in any U.S. urban area (it’s huge!). Overall, we’re well set with great rates, a nice facility, at a good central base and jumping off location. Maximum trip capacity = 16 participants + 2 leaders. Hop on while space is still available!

Our cycling will be adventuresome but non-strenuous; we cruise 11-14 mph, and bike as a group. It’s suitable for most bike frame types (road, hybrid, mountain or touring) with slick, high pressure tires.  This is a self-contained trip; participants should be comfortable touring in new environments, being “out-of-bounds”, and able to safely transport gear on their bike. Check with the leaders if you have any questions.

Friday June 24 – You+bike+bikeable luggage/gear meet early under NY Penn Station’s electronic schedule board in NJ Transit’s main lobby (enter 32nd St/7th Ave escalators) for a 6:30AM train to Trenton; we will distribute train tickets. Breakfast in advance or BYO onto train (you can board NJT at other stations, but please coordinate with ride leaders in advance).  In Trenton we hop over to SEPTA. On arrival we’ll ramble as bike tourists ‘round classic Philly ‘hoods, including Old City, Independence Hall & Liberty Bell, Society Hill, Penn’s Landing, Rittenhouse Square, South Street, the Italian markets. Lunch en route; then check-in/change/refresh. Dinner is either ordered in to our mansion, or out/about locally. (~ 25 miles)

Saturday June 25 – Nice breakfast at the Mansion, then off to the Schuylkill River trail past Boathouse Row, with a slight diversion at the Manayunk trailhead to gasp at famed bike race site “The Wall” (no, not Pink Floyd; yes, 800 meters with grades up to 17%). Lunch after crossing the river near Bridgeport town, then cycle Valley Forge Historic State Park. Return to Philly through noted Main Line suburbs (option of SEPTA rail). Dinner out or ordered in, at our choice (~50 miles total; less if rail return)

Sunday June 26 – Another nice breakfast at the Mansion. Then adieu to the City of Brotherly Love via local streets, the Fishtown ‘hood, Pennypack Park, East Coast Greenway, and the Delaware river. Italian deli lunch al fresco at river/mill town Bristol. This is a leisurely river valley route, as flat as possible. Trenton’s NJT rail takes us back to NYC (est. 7:30 PM or earlier arrival NY Penn). (~45 miles cycling, but in event of rain, SEPTA is an option from Philly back to NJT/Trenton)

Trip Package & Costs

Trip cost is $250 (no “early bird” discount; we’ve priced it so “close to the bone” affordable). Some trip expenditures will be on your own a la carte, to hold down individual trip costs and maximize personal choices given the wealth of noshing options and diversions. Registration closes at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 26.

INCLUDED: 2 nights lodging w/linens, pillow, blanket & towel, bathroom hand soap; round-trip NJT train tickets (NYC to Philly & Trenton to NYC); 2 breakfasts (Sat/Sun); 2 dinners (Fri/Sat); locked indoor overnight bike storage. There is no charge for all of your leaders’ detailed prep, organizing and planning, nor their work mapping and route cue sheets which will be emailed to you (but be sure to print/bring).

YOUR COSTS:  Bring CASH and credit card for some pay-as-you-go (lunches, 1 breakfast, bevs/snacks; any extra entertainment, museums, or incidentals; cab or train fare if rain dissuades you from touring). A reasonable estimate of additional cost (sans out-of-bounds cab fare or extra rail tickets) is $60 (higher if you take SEPTA/rail either back to Trenton or to shorten Saturday’s route).

To join Philly weekend:

Preparation

Print and bring the expanded trip kit (area & route info, cue sheets, map pages) that leaders will email to paid participants.

Our routes include urban riding (at which NYC cycle veterans are already experienced :>), mostly paved roads, some bike trails and lanes, and maybe a teensy of hard pack canal path. All bikes need decent front and rear lights (the “be seen” kind). BYO good city locks (should be capable of locking bike at restaurants or stops, with removable parts secured; Philly is supposed to have a high theft rate, but we’re from NYC, so what’s new <:).

We will cycle in 3 different states; be sure to review NYC/NYS cycling requirements, plus:
       1)  http://www.nj.gov/transportation/commuter/bike/regulations.shtm
        2)  http://www.philadelphiastreets.com/survey-and-design-bureau/bicycle-network/rules-of-the-road
 

Well in advance make your bike road ready (or have a shop check for road worthiness). Close to the ride, do your own 5BBC 2-minute bike check. Recheck tire pressure the day before. Carry basic bike repair equipment (minimum: 2 spare tubes, 1 tire if you have an unusual size, patch kit, pump, tire levers, any special tools for your particular bike), 2 water bottles. Helmets are mandatory! Leave your ear buds home!

Clothing and gear are best carried in panniers or a trunk rack, although a small backpack can suffice. Bring only what you need. Don't over-pack (all is “caz”, so simple, limited clothing;  items can do double duty; e.g. rain jacket for warmth if it’s chill). Wear hi-visibility colors and reflective bands. Bring a light day bag, fanny pack or musette bag for our urban touring. If your bike shoes are hard soled or cleated make sure you have a small pair of soft-soled shoes to carry while riding for safely walking inside buildings. Don't forget any meds, personal items, sunscreen, eyewear protection, mobile phone/camera, snacks, cash money (smaller denominations for ease), and credit cards.  Remember - - plan well, to be safe while traveling with gear on our bikes. Each person totes their own a bit on Friday, plus over mileage back to Trenton on Sunday. Bring mini-sized minimal toiletries.

Dress for the weather forecast. Our adventure is “rain or shine”; there are plenty of fun things to do in Philly if weather is inclement. But we’ll tolerate a bit of damp on our bikes, so dress accordingly. Note also that the trip is non-refundable (although you can transfer your spot . . . talk to Leaders and our Treasurer).