Ride Guide

 

 

BCP offers a wide variety of rides for cyclists of all levels of ability. Whether you want a leisurely jaunt through Fairmount Park or the challenge of the hills of Gladwyne or Chester and Berks Counties, we have something to suit you.

All Club rides sponsored by BCP are led by members who volunteer to select a destination and determine a route. BCP maintains a library of cue sheets, which describe in detail routes to various locations. The library is available for all members. So lead or be led (or both!)

Everyone is welcome on a BCP ride, regardless of whether you are a current member but we do have some rules. Of course, we hope, after attending one or two rides with us, you'll consider joining!

 

Ride Classifications

A ride classification gives you important information about the type of ride listed. The most difficult, long, and fast rides are rated Class A and progressively go to less difficult, shorter and slower rides rated Class D. The classes often have a wide range of average miles and distances and sometimes have an attached + or - to indicate if the ride is at the higher or lower part of the range. So please read the specific ride description which tells you what the ride leader plans to do. If you have any questions whether a particular ride is for you, contact the ride leader (that's why the leader's contact information is always in the ride description).

If this is your first ride with BCP, we suggest that you start at a level of difficulty that is lower than what you think you can do. You can always move up to a more difficult class. We want you to enjoy your rides with BCP and also get better.

ClassDifficultyRate
Class A Difficult, 45 to 100+ miles
18-20mph average on flat terrain
16-18mph average on rolling/hilly terrain
15-16mph average on very hilly terrain
Class B Advanced, 25 to 90 miles
15-18mph average on flat terrain
13-16mph average on rolling/hilly terrain
12-14mph average on very hilly terrain
Class C Moderate, 15 to 75 miles
12-15mph average on flat terrain
10-13mph average on rolling/hilly terrain
9-11mph average on very hilly terrain
Class D Easy, 10 to 25 miles
8-11mph average on flat terrain
4-7mph average on more hilly terrain
Hike
Usually in Cold Weather 
Easy (Paved and soft ground paths) < 5 mi
Moderate ( Hiking trails, Some Hills) < 10 mi
Strenuous (Steep Hills, Scrambles Possible)
Very Strenuous (Climbing, Rough Terrian)
Leisurely (Nature Walk) < 1.5mph
Moderate (Steady, Comfortable) < 2mph
Swift (Brisk, Firm Pace) > 2mph
Tandem
Tandem Bikers
Distance and speed vary
All bikers Welcome

 

Types of Rides Offered

Individual Rides BCP sponsors various bicycle rides of 20 to 100 miles. Many of these rides are scenic inspiring rides, often with social lunch stops and good company. Increasingly, they are multi-level rides, allowing groups of different ride abilities to have the same great ride experience at their own pace and rendezvous for lunch. See the ride calendar for more specific information.

During daylight savings time, a variety of short after-work rides are offered, such as the Thursday night training rides, as well as morning rides for those who have the day off.

We also list last-minute rides on a continuing basis! We call these additional rides our Ad Hoc/Add On Rides and they are added to the ride calendar on this web site. These rides are sent by email to all members of the BCP email list. For more information or to join this list, click here.

Regular Weekday/Weekend Rides In addition to individual rides, BCP has a number of ongoing regular weekly and weekend rides which should meet your riding style and ability.

Instructional Riding Class for New Riders Class begins with a basic safety and bike check. Instruction on the fundamentals of group riding and gear shifting will be given along the route. We will ride on MLK Drive and in east Fairmount Park to practice our riding skills and gear shifting on a gentle hill. Two instructors lead each ride and there is plenty of time for questions and answers and no one is left behind. BCP offers this class on the second Sunday of the month from March through October starting from the Italian Fountain Circle behind the Art Museum near the trellis.

Sunny Sunday Afternoon Ride for the Beginning Cyclist Designed for the beginning cyclist and cyclists new to Philadelphia. The Sunny Sunday Afternoon D ride meets every Sunday at noon, at the Italian Fountain behind the Art Museum, near the trellis. It's a 15-20 mile leisurely bicycle ride.

Next Step Up C Spin-Off Ride Also of interest to new riders is our Sunday C Spin-Off Ride, which starts at 12:15 pm, also at the Italian Fountain. Many of our members probably started in the club with the C Spin-Off Ride.

Saturday Northwest Philly Rides Another favorite starting location is NW Philly. We offer a variety of scenic rides into surrounding counties, often with a sit down food stop. Class C to B, often with multi-level paces. We meet at Ft. Washington State Park Flourtown Picnic Area. Check Ride Calendar for specific pace, distance, destination, and start time, as they will vary each week.

Monday on the Main Line This is a popular place for evening rides on the Main Line from the spring to the fall, as long as light allows. Multi-level rides leave @ 6 PM. We meet at Church of the Savior in Wayne.

 

Starting Locations

 

Art Museum Map BCP leads rides starting from many different locations such as the Art Museum in Phila but also from Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, Chester and Lancaster Counties and also rides in New Jersey especially in the New Hope\ Lambertville Area. Below are some of the most popular starting locations:

START LOCATIONADDRESSMAP
229 Haverford Ave, Narberth229 Haverford Ave
Narberth, PA 19072
Link to Map
22nd and Spring Garden Sts2200 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Link to Map
Allen's Lane Train Station7250-7298 Cresheim Rd
Philadelphia, PA 19119
Link to Map
Azalea Garden's formal entrance, behind the Art Museum300 Waterworks Dr.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Link to Map
Bruno's, Northwestern and Germantown Aves9800 Germantown Pike.
Lafayette Hill, PA 19444
Link to Map
Bulldog Statue, 25th St. and Pennsylvania Ave.N 25th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Link to Map
Church of the Saviour, Wayne, PA651 N Wayne Ave
Wayne, PA 19087
Link to Map
Cozen O'Connor, 1650 Market St.1650 Market St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Link to Map
Flourtown Shopping Center1890 Bethlehem Pike
Flourtown, PA 19031-1504
Link to Map
Ft. Washington State Park Hawk Watch Parking LotState Park Rd.
Fort Washington, PA 19034
Link to Map
Ft. Washington State Park, Flourtown Picnic Area45 W Mill Rd
Flourtown, PA 19031
Link to Map
Glenside Public Library parking lot215 South Keswick Avenue
Glenside, PA 19038-4420
Link to Map
Italian Fountain behind the Art Museum300 Waterworks Dr.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Link to Map
Jacobs Engineering Parking Lot2 Ash St
Conshohocken, PA 19428
Link to Map
Kayuh Bicycles & Cafe 19th St. & Girard Ave1900 W Girard Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Link to Map
Main Line Cycles back parking lot, Narberth, PA717 Montgomery Avenue
Narberth, PA 19072
Link to Map
Pennypack Park Pine Rd. entrance8712 Pine Road
Philadelphia, PA 19111
Link to Map
Reynolds Dog Park, Longford Rd, Oaks, PALongford Park and Reynolds Dog Park
Mont Clare, PA
Link to Map
Upper Dublin High School800 Loch Alsh Avenue
Fort Washington, PA 19034
Link to Map
Valley Forge National Park - Betzwood Picnic Area (by bathrooms)Valley Forge National Historical Park
Phoenixville, PA 19460
Link to Map
Valley Green InnValley Green Road at Wissahickon
Philadelphia, PA 19128
Link to Map
Whites Road Park between Broad St and Valley Forge Rd, Lansdale400 Whites Road
Lansdale, PA 19446
Link to Map
Wynnewood Valley Park1505 Remington Road
Penn Wynne, PA 19096
Link to Map

Maps and Directions

Use these sites for maps and door-to-door driving directions: Expedia maps and directions Google (maps and directions) Map24 (maps and directions) Mapquest maps and directions Yahoo! maps and directions

 

Important Rules for BCP Group Rides

  • Helmet required.
  • No earphones allowed.
  • Calling Clear is Now Prohibited. (Each rider is personally responsible for verifying that the way is indeed clear.)
  • Minors must have a release waiver form signed by a parent.
  • Follow the Pa. Vehicular Law - a bike is a vehicle.
  • Use hand signals to indicate stops and turns.
  • Always ride on the right as required by law. Can ride in the left lane of a one-way street which contains two or more lanes or when bike lane is marked on left side of street.
  • Arrive ten to 15 minutes early and Be Prepared To Leave On Time! The starting times are actual departure times.
  • Each rider assumes his or her own risk on all rides.
  • Those who ride ahead of the group are on their own ride.
  • Always notify the ride leader when leaving the group.
  • Ride should adhere to the advertised speed of the ride.
  • Ride safely (See Safety Page for more information)

 

Suggested Equipment

Make sure your bike is in proper working order before you arrive. Ride leaders are not expected to be bike mechanics.

Anyone planning to participate in a ride should bring along the following equipment at a minimum. (Even if you don't know how to change a flat tire, someone will be there to do it for you if you have the spare tube)

  • A flat kit consisting of tire levers and a patch kit or spare inner tube
  • 6" adjustable wrench if either wheel bolts on.
  • A frame-mounted air pump
  • A frame-mounted water bottle
  • Some form of Identification (in case of an emergency)

And of course, a sense of adventure! See you on the roads.

eBike Policy

Electric bikes shall be permitted on club rides only as covered by the club's insurance policy and as consistent with local, state and Federal laws.

Only pedal assist eBikes (Classes 1 and 3) will be allowed on club rides. Any additional throttle type controls must be removed.
Club rides can cross into multiple states (PA, NJ, DE, NY), it is critical we adhere to the regulations of all 4.
If you have questions, please contact the BCP board or talk to your ride leader.
 
Allowed: A “class 1 electric bicycle” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
Not Allowed: A “class 2 electric bicycle” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
Allowed: A “class 3 electric bicycle” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour, and is equipped with a speedometer.