Biking

Philadelphia is really coming into its own with almost 200 miles of designated bike lanes in the city and 100 miles of off-road trails. In fact, the city is now consistently rated among the top five big cities for cycling by publications such as Bicycling Magazine.

A new Boundless Philadelphia regional bicycle map (available at events and local bike shops) details six favorite regional bike routes, including the revamped 25-mile Schuylkill River Trail. Extensive trails traverse Fairmount Park and the surrounding countryside and now connect to the city bike lanes, to provide a non-stop biking urban-country experience. Serious cyclists can go up against the “Manayunk Wall,” a steep 17-degree climb that is part of the Philadelphia International Championship held every June.

What Bill Strickland, editor of Bicycling Magazine, says about the city’s biking opportunities: “Aside from the terrific trails, which are the reason we named Philadelphia one of the top five U.S. cities for mountain biking, what makes the region so distinctive for bicycling are all the clubs. There’s just so many of them, and they really cover the whole range of the sport. There are several racing clubs that are nationally known; there are road biking clubs, off-road clubs and recreational clubs. There’s even a club for people who love folded bicycles.”

Pennsylvania’s largest city and the “birthplace of liberty,” Philadelphia offers many interesting attractions. It also has plenty of traffic; so much in fact, that radio stations give traffic reports at midnight. Thus, this is more of a guide than a strictly planned ride. The best time to ride is on a Sunday morning; Sunday afternoons are the next best option.

At last count, there were over 215 miles of trails in Fairmount Park. There’s a trail for everyone, from sidewalks, to off-road trails, to paths through the woods to walkways along a creek or river.

Among the park’s best bike trails is (1) Fairmount Park Forbidden Drive, a family-friendly ride along Wissahickon Creek with numerous sights and places to stop.

Another great family ride is (2) Impoundment Loop at the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, which sprawls across 1,200 acres and is home to over 80 bird species.

Also, be sure to check out (3) Pennypack Park, consisting of approximately 1,600 acres of woods, meadows, and wetlands within city limits.

Philadelphia has a very active cycling community with clubs, group rides, and all kinds of special events. Below is a roundup.