The 5th Annual Ride for the River is a DIY Tour Ride!
Explore mysteries along the Schuylkill River Trail with a do-it-yourself cycling tour
The ride was originally planned to end on Nov. 7th but has been extended through Dec. 1st. Giving Tuesday is a global day of generosity that will take place on December 1, 2020. Please show your support of the Schuylkill River Trail with this special fall ride. There’s no cost to participate but you have the option of giving a donation or purchasing a half-priced membership to the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area.
View the Online Trip Guide!
The 2020 Ride for the River is a Do-It-Yourself cycling tour ride on the Schuylkill River Trail between Pottstown and Birdsboro. You can do the full ride (17.5 miles round trip) OR pick a section to ride.
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE: Take photos while doing the tour and use #Ride4River when posting on social media like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
CYCLING TOUR: The ride route will have tour stops as posted signage. Learn about interesting areas along the trail such as mysteries, bridges and historical sites. There's a free online version of the trip guide with the route, tour stops and other helpful information.
TRAIL ROUTE & SURFACE: The route begins with a paved section at Pottstown Riverfront Park. After crossing into Berks County, the trail becomes crushed stone. Most of the ride is flat with a couple hills at road crossings. There will also be an additional hill climb along the Big Woods Trail that is completely optional.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2020 RIDE FOR THE RIVER SPONSORS & PARTNERS!
National Park Service * Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources * Sly Fox Brewing Co. * First Star Energy Met Ed Region * Tompkins VIST Bank * Campbell Thomas & Co * Wilson Consulting Group * Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission * Hewlett Packard Enterprise * The Aranda Group * Extreme Terrain * Schuylkill County’s VISION * Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau * Longstreth * Boyer Engineering LLC * MGK Industries * Traffic Planning & Design, Inc. * REI CO-OP * Translogistics, INC. * Reading Coffee Company * Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation * Alliance for Watershed Education of the Delaware River * Trek Bicycles of Pottstown * Bikesport * Redner’s Market * GIANT * Take It Outdoors
A Finale Celebration Day was held on Nov. 7th for the 2020 Ride for the River
Schuylkill River Greenways had a Finale Celebration on Nov. 7, 2020. The celebration included educational tables, giveaways, and refreshments along the route. Volunteers helped cyclists cross at road intersections.
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. During the ride’s finale celebration day, 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.
About Ride for the River
The details below describe a normally scheduled Ride for the River and do not necessarily apply to the 2020 event. Several changes had to made to the 2020 event because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Schuylkill River Greenways organizes the event in partnership with the Sly Fox Brewery’s Can Jam Music Festival.
Ride for the River is designed to allow cyclists to explore the Schuylkill River Trail while supporting the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area, which operates and maintains the Schuylkill River Trail in Berks and Schuylkill Counties and works to improve the entire trail. All rides begin and end at Sly Fox’s popular Can Jam Festival located at 331 Circle of Progress Dr., in Pottstown. Both the 16- and 35-mile options take place primarily along the flat, crushed stone Schuylkill River Trail, with about five miles of on-road riding between the festival and the trail. The on-road section has some hills.
35 mile ride – 9 a.m. start time: Pottstown to Reading and back along the Schuylkill River Trail with a short on-road section to and from the brewery.
16-mile ride – 9:30 a.m. start time: Pottstown to Union Township Recreation Area and back along the Schuylkill River Trail with a short on-road section to and from the brewery.
Ride the River FAQsRide 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. One of the largest finished trail sections is the Pottstown to Reading stretch, maintained by Schuylkill River Greenways, which totals about 20 miles. 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 ProjectsSRT 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 2019 music festival, Sly Fox presented representatives of the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area with a check of $7,763.25 from the sales of this year’s SRT Ale. The ale is available all year long.
More About SRT AleRide 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 free T-shirt as well as a food and beer/beverage ticket to use at the Can Jam Music Festival the day of the event. Check back in 2019 for more details about becoming a Ride for the River volunteer.
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 be able participate in the ride. There is a $40 entry fee; all volunteers receive a free T-shirt. Price increases to $45 on 8/6; $50 on 9/15. (Only 8 spots available).
For more information about becoming a Ride for the River volunteer, email mpatterson@schuylkillriver.org.
About Can Jam Festival
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.
