Ride for the River Returns Sept 24, 2022. Registration Opens in April.

Celebrate the Schuylkill River Trail with bikes, beer and bands! Ride for the River, then enjoy the FREE CAN JAM Music Festival with Sly Fox Brewery. The cycling event serves as a fundraiser for Schuylkill River Greenways, which works with partners to build, improve and promote the Schuylkill River Trail. One of the largest finished trail sections is the Pottstown to Reading stretch, which totals about 20 miles. Ride for the River begins and ends at Pottstown Riverfront Park. Children ages 12 and under participate for FREE!

Three Ride Options Available
Ride Options:

Ride for the River features a 4-mile Fun Ride, great for children and beginners! The 4-mile Family Fun Ride takes place on a completely paved section of the trail. Both the 16- and 35-mile options take place primarily along the flat, crushed stone Schuylkill River Trail.

  • 35-mile Ride: Round-trip ride beginning at 9 a.m. from Riverfront Park in Pottstown to Reading along the Schuylkill River Trail (some on-road sections).
  • 16-mile Ride: Round-trip ride beginning at 9:30 a.m. from Riverfront Park in Pottstown to Union Township Recreation Area along the Schuylkill River Trail (some road crossings).
  • 4-mile Fun Ride: Round-trip ride beginning at 10 a.m. from Riverfront Park in Pottstown to Old Reading Pike along the Schuylkill River Trail (no on-road sections or crossings). Children 12 and under ride for free. 
All Ride Registrants Receive:
  • Reserved parking at Sly Fox for the Can Jam Music Festival
  • Beer/Beverage & Food Voucher Bundle to use at the Can Jam Music Festival
    • Additional vouchers will need to be purchased for children registering for free.
  • Water and snacks at rest stops
  • Well-marked route with ride support
  • Commemorative T-shirts available for purchase
Learn About the Optional Hill Challenge Along the Big Woods Trail

 

Photo by David Karst

There is a 4-mile OPTIONAL hill challenge along the Hopewell Big Woods Trail that connects to the Schuylkill River Trail in Union Township. The Big Woods Trail consists of a nearly 2-mile gentle upgrade with stunning views of Monocacy Hill as you near the top. You can rest at the top and enjoy an easy ride down back onto the Schuylkill River Trail. This is a gravel trail which could have some loose areas, so riders should be cautious on the descent.

2021 Ride for the River Cyclists Celebrate the Schuylkill River Trail with bikes, beer, and a new bridge

Schuylkill River Greenways once again partnered with Sly Fox Brewery for the 6th Annual Ride for the River on Sept. 25, 2021: a bike ride on the Schuylkill River Trail between Pottstown and Reading. About 230 riders first enjoyed a 4-mile, 16-mile, or 35-mile journey on the trail with views of the picturesque Schuylkill River along the route. Then, had the option to relax afterwards with hours of live music at the Sly Fox Can Jam Music Festival in Pottstown.

Sly Fox Brewery produces SRT Ale, a seasonal “ale for the trail” that benefits the Schuylkill River Trail. During the Can Jam Music Festival, Sly Fox presented representatives of Schuylkill River Greenways with a check of $6,212.89 from the sales of this year’s SRT Ale. The ale is available all year long. 

The brewery has donated about $40,200 over the years to Schuylkill River Greenways’ Safe Crossings Program. The program funds trail safety improvements such as signage and road markings. Most recently the program has helped fund the construction of the new Richard P. Whittaker M.D. Memorial Bridge, a pedestrian-only bridge on the trail over Route 724 in Union Township. The 2021 Ride for the River event was the first cycling event to take place along the new bridge. 

The fall bike ride will began and ended at Riverfront Park in Pottstown. The event includes rest stops with water and snacks, ride support, and well-marked routes. This 2021 ride included three options. The 35-mile riders went to Berks Nature in Reading then turned around. The 16-mile riders went to the Union Township Recreation Area before returning to Pottstown. The 4-mile fun ride was a new option in 2021, great for beginners and families.

Children ages 12 and under participate in the ride for free but must be with an adult. Schuylkill River Greenways provided several kid-friendly activities during the 2021 event such as a make-your-own bird feeder station, a bird watching guide, and a fun interactive watershed display.

Click for More 2021 Ride Photos!
More About Ride for the River

Schuylkill River Greenways and Sly Fox Brewery are teaming up once again to host Ride for the River, a beautiful bike ride on the Schuylkill River Trail in Montgomery and Berks Counties. 

Ride for the River allows cyclists to explore the Schuylkill River Trail while supporting the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area. Schuylkill River Greenways operates and maintains the trail in Berks and Schuylkill Counties, while working to improve the entire trail.

Sly Fox Brewing Company donates funds toward the Safe Crossings Program. The program adds signs and improves road markings at intersections where the Schuylkill River Trail crosses major roadways.

Online registration will close on Sept. 22, 2021. Same-day registration will be available for an additional $5 fee.

Ride the River FAQs
The 2020 Ride for the River

THE 5TH ANNUAL RIDE FOR THE RIVER WAS A DIY TOUR RIDE!

Participants explored mysteries along the Schuylkill River Trail with a do-it-yourself cycling tour

The 2020 Ride for the River was a Do-It-Yourself cycling tour ride on the Schuylkill River Trail between Pottstown and Birdsboro. The ride took place in the fall. Participants had the option of doing the full ride (17.5 miles round trip) or picking a section to ride. The route had 10 tour stops which was posted as signage alongside the Schuylkill River Trail. Through the tour stops, participants learned about mysteries, bridges and historical sites. Every Ride for the River signup included one entry into a raffle prize drawing. In addition, registrants were mailed the 2020 Ride for the River T-shirt, a custom Schuylkill River Greenways facemask, a custom bicycle bell, and several other items.

A Finale Celebration Day was held on Nov. 7. The celebration included educational tables, giveaways, and refreshments along the route. Volunteers helped cyclists cross at road intersections. Also during the celebration, Sly Fox presented representatives of the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area with a check of $7,910.50 from the sales of this year’s SRT Ale. The donation was the biggest yet since the production of SRT Ale! The ale is available all year long. Ride for the River highlights the trail and river. It’s also a fundraiser for the trail. Sly Fox has partnered with Schuylkill River Greenways for the past five years by producing SRT Ale, an ale that benefits the Schuylkill River Trail.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2021 RIDE FOR THE RIVER SPONSORS & PARTNERS!

National Park Service * Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources * Sly Fox Brewing Co. * Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission  PA American Water * Birdsboro Power Project * Kimberton Whole Foods * Schultz Technology * Longstreth * David Coyne & Family * Rails to Trails Conservancy * Liberty Environmental * Barwis Construction * Wrigley’s * Rob Kuhlman * Scoupe Deville * Berks Nature * Pottstown Parks & Recreation * Alliance for Watershed Education of the Delaware River * Bikesport * Redner’s Market * GIANT *  Take It Outdoors

Ride for the River & Support the Trail

Hundreds of bicyclists participate in the annual bike ride and therefore help bring attention and support to the Schuylkill River Trail (SRT). Ride for the River serves as a fundraiser for Schuylkill River Greenways, which works with partners to build, improve and promote the Schuylkill River Trail. Money raised will support ongoing maintenance of the trail. There are currently 75 miles of the Schuylkill River Trail completed and when finished it will run 120 miles from Frackville in Schuylkill County to Philadelphia.

Learn More about the SRT Learn About Current Trail Projects

SRT Ale, the Ale for the Trail

Sly Fox Brewery has partnered with Schuylkill River Greenways for the past four years by producing SRT Ale, an ale that benefits the Schuylkill River Trail. SRT Ale will be available after this year’s bike ride at the festival and all cyclists get a FREE beer ticket.

During the 2021 Ride for the River celebration, Sly Fox presented representatives of the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area with a check of $6,212.89 from the sales of this year’s SRT Ale. To date, Sly Fox has donated a total of about $40,200 from the sale of SRT Ale. The ale is available all year long.

More About SRT Ale

Ride for the River Volunteers

We wouldn’t be able to put on this ride every year without the many volunteers who help with planning, trail improvements, route markings, and other general activities the day of the event.

Volunteers receive a free T-shirt as well as a food and beer/beverage ticket bundle to use at the Can Jam Music Festival the day of the event.  

Planning Committee Volunteers: Attend monthly meetings (usually virtually through Zoom) March through September to help plan the cycling event including marketing/promotion, sponsorships, and volunteer coordination. If you are interested in joining the Ride for the River Committee, please CLICK HERE to fill out a short online form, or contact Miica Patterson at the email mpatterson@schuylkillriver.org or leave her a message at 484-945-0200. 

General Event Volunteers: Assist with route markings, road crossings, rest stops, check in, and other tasks during the event. Volunteers receive a free t-shirt, food & beer. Volunteers in this category won’t be able to participate in the ride.

Parking/Registration Volunteers: For volunteers who wish to assist with morning parking or check-in, and still be able participate in the ride. Volunteers receive a free t-shirt, food & beer, but must purchase a registration to participate in the ride.

About Can Jam Festival

Photo by Mike Stokes

Schuylkill River Greenways organizes the Ride for the River event in partnership with the Sly Fox Brewery’s CAN JAM Music Festival. The festival is located at 331 Circle of Progress Drive in Pottstown, just 3 miles from the ride’s finish location.  All ride participants receive a beer/drink and food voucher bundle to use at the free festival. There will be reserved parking at the Can Jam Music Festival for Ride for the River participants.

Sly Fox Brewing Company’s CAN JAM Music Festival is curated to feature rising regional independent talent, authentic and original, just like Sly Fox beers! A free day of amazing music in the beautiful pastures adjoining the brewery, accentuated by one of the largest KanJam® tournaments on the planet.

The CAN JAM Music Festival celebrates Sly Fox Brewing Company’s role as an early adopter, evangelist and promoter of cans—the hottest packaging trend in the craft brewing industry. Learn more about CAN JAM.