Can anybody recommend any good running and/or riding routes (evening group rides would be even better) easily accessible from downtown Philadelphia (Marriott Hotel)?? I’ll be stuck there all next week; mon-thurs.
Many Thanks!
Check out Breakaway bikes in rittenhouse square I think Joe does a ride or at least a group computrainer session daily.
Or have a ride to manayunk climb the wall and visit cadence cycling center for ride info.
I am doing a ride on sat. in south Jersey 35-40 mins via car from downtown.
3.5 hrs at 18-19 pm me if your are interested.
Kevin
Hmmm, the Marriott, huh???
Running:
I used to live at 12th & Pine. My daily route was West on Lombard to 27th up the hill and aound the corner to the South St. Bridge; over the bridge and past Franklin Field to Civic Center Blvd. Past CHoP, down to Univ Ave at the bottom up the hill, back up to Spruce @ 36th, down to 40th, back around to Walnut, down Walnut to 33rd, past the Palestra and Franklin field again, back over the bridge and home.
You could always do a nice out and back up and down Walnut to Penn. You’ll go past Rittenhouse Square and a nice rise over the bridges.
Or … go around City Hall, through World Famous LOVE Park and out the BF Parkway to the Rocky Steps (Actually, the steps BEHIND the Art Museum are longer and steeper - but only the locals know that!!!)
Resist the temptation to run Rocky’s route - it’s about 15 miles and goes from Kensington, to the Italian Market to Penn’s Landing to Kelly Drive before finish at the Art Museum.
Riding:
I’m sure you could hook up with a group out at Boathouse Row, that’s where they usually go. I wasn’t doing any training when I lived there so I didn’t know about such things. I was just bombing X-town on my beater.
For a good run close to downtown but away from the Center City hassles, head over to the Art Museum and hit the rec path along the river beside Kelly Drive. The loop is 8.4 miles and flat.
Weeknight group rides accessible from downtown (from www.quakercitywheelmen.org)–
The Drives - Tuesdays at 6:00pm. Leave from Memorial Hall, North Concourse in Fairmount Park. Ride winds around to the east falls bridge then proceeds around Kelly and West River drive. Pace is fast and competitive, typically averaging 27+ mph. 3.5 laps around the drives, daylight permitting.
BCP Recovery Ride - Wednesdays at 6:00pm. Leave from the Italian Fountain (behind Art Museum). Ride pace is intended to be smooth, recovery pace. To Conshohocken and back on the bike path.
Hill Ride - Thursdays at 6:00pm. Leave from the parking lot next to the Bulldog Statue at Pennsylvania and Fairmount Avenues, alongside the Art Museum. Ride heads towards Gladwynne to climb hills such as La Collina, Rose Glen Rd., Waverly Rd., Lafayette Rd. Return through Conshohocken and the bike path.
Also, you can check the message board at www.guysmultisportclub.com.
Thanks all for the great info. Won’t be getting there till late Sunday, but will take advantage of the “conference” to try out your routes and scenery. I’ll fuel up with a couple cheesesteaks first, of course.
While I live in Michigan, I have the honor of being a member of the Wissahickon Wanderers, which is a running organization in Philadelphia. They have a website and do organized runs and races. Anyhow, they are very helpful to visitors of the area as far as helping with local routes and such. Hope this helps.
Bernie
Bernie–
If you live in Michigan and belong to the Wissahickon Wanderers, you must be the Bernie I spent around 12 miles of the IM Wisconsin “run” with in 2002! Hope all is well!
Barclay
Philly has great running options (limited, but what is there is pretty good) and biking options. For running, start at the Art Museum and follow the path all the way around for ~8.5 mile traffic-free loop. If you need more, you can hook into the Wissahickon if you continue past the final bridge on Kelly drive, and go another ~1 mile to the road where the path sort of ends. Cross the street, and you’ll be in Wissahickon trail system. Good route for long runs.
Biking - try http://www.phillybikeclub.org/ They have some cue sheets, etc. You can go all the way out to Valley Forge with a few twists and turns through Manayunk, etc, almost entirely traffic free. There is much more interesting biking through the Main Line (old suburbs like Bryn Mawr and Villanova), but you might want a guide/group to go with (cue sheets are good, but there are lots and lots of twists and turns to follow).
ccy
Thanks CCY - that run sounds perfect for me as my running ability is hurting right now. Seems like the Art Museum is a central location for both running and cycling. If I can find Memorial Hall, I’ll try to link up with the Drives ride on Tues night. Thanks again everybody.
mike
Barclay,
Indeed it is me. I’m flattered you remember, however I suppose we are bonded in sort of a special way. All is well, and I trust it is the same for you.
Bernie