Bike Ride celebrates and benefits the Schuylkill River Trail
More than 200 cyclists will participate in Ride for the River Saturday
The Schuylkill River Trail is one of this region’s most valued recreational amenities. On Saturday, Sept. 24 the Schuylkill River Heritage Area will host a bike ride that gets cyclists pedaling on the trail, while also benefiting the trail.
Ride for the River is a new annual ride that will take more than 200 cyclists along the Pottstown to Reading section of the Schuylkill River Trail. The ride begins and ends at Sly Fox Brewery’s Can Jam Festival, at Circle of Progress Drive in Pottstown where, after the ride, participants can enjoy eight hours of free, live music, as well as festival food and beer.
Cyclists will pedal 40or 16-mile routes that take them either to Reading Riverfront Park or Union Township Recreation Area and back to Sly Fox Brewery.
The ride serves as a fundraiser for the Schuylkill River Heritage Area, which works with partners to build, improve and promote the Schuylkill River Trail. When complete, the trail will run 130 miles from Philadelphia to Pottsville. Today, about half of the trail is complete in sections. One of the largest finished sections is the Pottstown to Reading stretch, which totals about 20 miles. Ride for the River will take place along that part of the trail, with some on-road riding to and from the festival.
That section is owned and maintained by the Schuylkill River Heritage Area. Money raised through Ride for the River will support ongoing maintenance of the trail.
Sly Fox Brewery has partnered with the Schuylkill River Heritage Area for the past two years by producing SRT Ale, a seasonal “ale for the trail” that benefits the Schuylkill River Trail. During the Can Jam Festival, Sly Fox representatives will present Chamberlin with a check from the sales of this year’s SRT Ale.
Cost for the Ride for the River is $45 per person. Online registration closes September 22. Event is rain or shine. Registration on the day of the event is $50.
Price includes wellmarked route, ride support, refreshments at rest stops and vouchers for beer and festival food. All proceeds benefit the Schuylkill River Heritage Area.
Complimentary pre-ride bicycle safety checks will be provided by TriCounty Bicycles, of Pottstown. Ride support will be provided by BikeSport, of Trappe. To learn more visit www.ridefortheriver2016.com
The Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area, managed by the non-profit Schuylkill River Greenway Association, uses conservation, education, recreation, historic preservation and tourism as tools for community revitalization and economic development.