Riding from center city
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jdugosh
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« on: May 24, 2008, 06:43:50 AM »
Hello, all.  I am new to Philadelphia mountain biking.  I don't have a car, but I have heard that it is a fairly easy ride to the trails from center city Philadelphia.  Can anyone help me with a route?  How long does it take to get to the Wiss from the art museum?  What is/how far away is forbidden drive?  Anybody have any routes on the internet?  I'm a complete newbie, so any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks,
J.
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jpearce
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« Reply #1 on: May 24, 2008, 08:29:43 AM »
It's pretty easy.  Head out Kelly Drive all the way to Ridge Avenue.  Turn left onto Ridge and go about 30 feet.  You'll be in front of a SEPTA depot at a traffic light.  Look across Ridge and you'll see the entrance to Forbidden Drive along the stream.  Ride up there about a mile (you'll see Lincoln Drive on your right) and you'll first see a paved fire coming down on the left .  You can ride up there, turn right at the trailhead and find a nice trail system.  Or you can continue up FD until you get to a parking lot, ride under the brick archway to the right and then keep left, which will take you to another trail system on the opposite side of the creek.  Or you can continue up FD another 3 miles and reach Valley Green restaurant where many of the scheduled rides start.
« Last Edit: May 26, 2008, 09:21:33 AM by Jon » Logged
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squeaks
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« Reply #2 on: May 24, 2008, 01:39:22 PM »
the ride on kelly drive from the art museum is about 4-5 miles to the trailhead. I know it is exactly 4.7 from the Art museum to Falls Bridge. Depending how fast you are riding it takes 20-35 minutes
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jdugosh
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« Reply #3 on: May 26, 2008, 06:40:06 AM »
Thanks for the information, guys.  This is exactly what I was looking for!

J.
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BritBiker
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« Reply #4 on: May 26, 2008, 01:50:40 PM »
Depending where you live in the city, a nice way to get to the Art Museum (ie not riding up the Parkway) is to join the paved trail that starts at 25th & Locust (just across the rail tracks), this follows the river right up to the Art Museum. You just have to share it with the regular joggers, runner, rollerbladers etc etc... much as you do on Kelly Drive.

However on the return trip be prepared for strange looks if its been a muddy ride!!!! I used this route when I lived in the city, it sure beats trying to dodge city traffic.
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jdugosh
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« Reply #5 on: May 27, 2008, 12:07:00 PM »
Quote from: BritBiker on May 26, 2008, 01:50:40 PM
Depending where you live in the city, a nice way to get to the Art Museum (ie not riding up the Parkway) is to join the paved trail that starts at 25th & Locust (just across the rail tracks), this follows the river right up to the Art Museum. You just have to share it with the regular joggers, runner, rollerbladers etc etc... much as you do on Kelly Drive.

However on the return trip be prepared for strange looks if its been a muddy ride!!!! I used this route when I lived in the city, it sure beats trying to dodge city traffic.

That's actually what I'm planning to do.  Thanks AGAIN everyone!  Does anyone here ever ride to the PMBA rides from center city? 
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stymie
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« Reply #6 on: May 27, 2008, 03:03:24 PM »
Hi Jdugosh,

I think everyone else has covered the directions pretty well.

I ride from Center City, and typically take the bike path from 25th and Locust up to the Art Museum. Now that summer is here, the city closes-off West River Drive to cars. More often than not, you'll find the road is closed from the Art Museum all the way up to Falls Bridge. This is great, as you can avoid the mess of people on Kelly Drive, although you will still encounter your fair share of people with no road sense, so you need to keep alert.

It usually takes about 30 minutes from Rittenhouse to the bottom of Forbidden Drive at a nice cruising pace. Add about 10-15 minutes to get you to Valley Green Inn. I have not had time to join any of the week night PMBA rides this year, but hope to soon. I plan to ride out for the next trail maintenance day too.

 Smiley
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