Philadelphia! Any suggestions?

[TxDoc]

Hello everyone!
The last week of October I will be in Philly, and if possible I'd like to leave the bicycle home.
Any suggestions for a place to rent a road bike for a couple of rides - and for nice places to ride?
Thanks!
:)

[Kalidurga]

I can't help you on a rental, but there are definitely places worth riding. Two particular areas I've been wanting to get my bike to are the Schuylkill River Trail (http://www.schuylkillriver.org/Biking.aspx) and Valley Forge National Historical Park (http://www.nps.gov/vafo/index.htm), which you can get to by bike via the Schuylkill trail.

The times I've been to Philly, there've been bikes everywhere so the area definitely seems to have a healthy cycling culture. Not to mention the fact that they host an international pro race every year. Unfortunately, I go up there to visit a non-cycling friend and haven't been able yet to arrange the time for a ride. I had planned to head up there with my bike today on my first day of vacation, but it's pouring down rain here in the mid-Atlantic :rolleyes:

[Possegal]

I ride up there a lot with my sister. Not that I know much about the area, I just follow her and her husband. I'll ask them and post any reply. We do ride and follow the pro race though - that's a lot of fun and the area they ride is great for riding, down around the art museum. Traffic is closed off on part of it during the weekend.

I'll see what they say in case no one on the board is actually a local.

[Kalidurga]

...down around the art museum. Traffic is closed off on part of it during the weekend.

You can get on Kelly Drive near the art museum and head into Fairmount Park (http://www.fairmountpark.org/TrailsIntro.asp). Another thing you could check out is the City of Philadelphia Bicycle Network (http://www.phila.gov/streets/Bike_Network.html). Amongst other resources, there's a Philly cycling map (http://www.phila.gov/streets/pdfs/PHILABIK.PDF). I hope you have great weather while you're there!



Come to think of it, I'm going to Philly for Halloween festivities. If it's still warm enough, that might just have to be the weekend I finally bring my bike up there...

[TxDoc]

The map is awesome! It shows some bike shops too, so I'm going to call them and see if they rent.
Thanks everyone!

[laura jane]

I'm not sure about rentals in the city because I live just outside and ride my own bike. But Kelly Drive is closed off on the weekends to motor vehicles and you can take a fantastic loop through the Art Museum area and boathouse row. You can also ride into Manayunk (which is considered Philadelphia but isn't 'downtown' per say) which is where the 'wall' is for the pro race, if you've ever seen it. It's a very bicycle populated area and there's a nice bike shop on Main Street in Manayunk as well as lots of trendy shops and places to eat. From that are you can also get on the Schuylkill River Trail which connects downtown, Manayunk, and several of the suburban neighborhoods. I can actually get on the trail at my house (45 miles NE of Philly) and take it all the way downtown!

Have a great trip :)

[Possegal]

Here's a little view from a ride along Kelly Dr. And we always then go into Manayunk through there and to my sister's house. Second pic is as we leave Manayunk. :) I love bringing my camera when I ride!

[Possegal]

One more, cause it's fun. Note the fun jersey I bought my sister - look familiar? :)

[HillSlugger]

I rode the art museum loop as the bike course for the Philly Womens triathlon; it's 8.8 miles around, almost flat, and looked like it would be very scenic if you had the luxury of taking it in ;)

I've got it mapped (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Philadelphia-Women-s-Sprint-Tri-Bike-Route).

[Cataboo]

Great pics Possegal - both jerseys look fun, so I couldn't decide who was your sister.

[Possegal]

I thought of that after I posted. :) I've got the Fatcyclist jersey on and my sister is wearing the "She loves hills" shirt. My brother in law was taking the picture for us with my cell phone and it was very sunny out and he was having a hard time seeing if we were in the frame of the picture. he was taking so long and we were yelling - these bikes aren't getting any lighter here! It was a very good day actually, the Friday before our Livestrong Challenge ride in Philly. Back when it was warm. :)

[Cataboo]

I remember warm. I highly appreciated it when the sun came out for a bit today.

I thought about it after I posted - I guess a fat cyclist jersey isn't quite fun with the Susan story...

[Possegal]

This was the comment from my brother-in-law. Not sure how helpful this is though. :)

My recommendations would definitely be the loop around the art museum (Rocky Steps). I would also get lost in Society Hill anywhere from Front to Broad, Market to South. Also travel down 9th to the Italian Market. Rittenhouse Square 17th to 19th, on Walnut.