By katz420 on August 13, 2010
My husband and I started on the trail a bit above Oaks, we hoped to ride to Philadelphia. I was really looking forward to riding in Fairmont Park. The ride was smooth and pleasant, just a few hills and they could be counted on one hand. Even though we started early the path was very crowed with people so you must be prepared to pay attention most of the time. The ride was so enjoyable and it was exciting to peddle from Montgomery Co. and end up in the City of Philadelphia. My husband and I took a few moments to sight see a bit before heading back around Fairmont Park and heading home. My Son lives in Roxborough and I was able to peddle the Tow Path toward Manyunk and say Hello to him on my way through. It was awesome. I had one bike reck in Fairmont Park due to a small child cutting me off, I was fine and it was all good. Our ride was a total of 53 miles. We live in Berks County and CAN NOT WAIT for the trail in Berks to completly group up with the trails to Montgomery to Chester...Dream Come True!
By paul coulston on August 12, 2010
For those of you doing this for the first time. This turn was not marked well enough for me coming from Philly. I think I lot of serious riders stay on Main Street rather than ride the Mannyounk Tow canal path so I followed them thinking I was on course I ending up going up Umbria Street to Shawmont Ave still thought I was on course because I lot of bikers around. Finally up a hill still going away from river. I asked another biker who sent me back down hill and got back on course at Nixon Street. The way back from Valley Forge no problem. It was a great ride for me and my son ( 13 years old ). He needed a 50 Mile ride for the Cycling Merit Badge for Boy Scouts. If you start at Locust and South 25th add a couple detours for lunch/drinks then go under and past Route 422 on another trail ( the Permokin trail I think )and back its a good 50 miles. Looking forward to do it again.
By masondi on August 10, 2010
This is one of my favorite bike rides because it gives you both a chance to "people watch" and a time for solitude. I like to start behind the Art Museum in Philadelphia (get there very early for available free parking spaces and fewer walkers/runner/roller bladers) and peddle to Valley Forge and return. Begin by peddling through Fairmont Park and enjoy the statuary and the rowers on the river (Note: If you have only seen Boat House Row lit up from the Schuylkill Expressway, it is kind of neat to see the back of the buildings up close). Stop in Manyunk at the Manyunk Diner for breakfast and continue on the canal towpath. You may even see a freight train passing you along the way. Once you get to Valley Forge, take a walk through the visitor's center, which has interesting exhibits, nice cool air conditioning, and clean restrooms. On the return trip walk your bike through the center of Manyunk and enjoy the little shops and restaurants, and buy some water ice. Once back in Fairmont Park be careful of the people along the way because many of them will not share the path (People from Philly are rather proud of their rudeness so I learned to not take it personally).
Most of this trail is smooth, but because there are rough sections including cobblestones, I consider this a "Fat tire ride".