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It's that time of year again......
2011 ~ (4th Annual) ~ PHILADELPHIA RIDE ~



It's a Meet & Greet of all kinds of BMX enthusiasts / riders, etc.... A chance to ride our BMX bikes and see the City.
Group Gathering / City "Cruise" / some Flatland and Street Sessions as we cruise across Philly.

WHEN:
SUNDAY - September 18th at (11am – 7pm)
11am meet at the lot - 1pm roll out.

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Just in case you missed the Ride previous years - Here's what it's all about...


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The PLAN:
Previous years for the Fall ride: We all met up on the east side of the city at a parking lot near Penns Landing, swapped parts handed out shirts, geek'd out over everyone's BMX Bikes. Then we hit the streets - cruising around the city stopping at various spots to flatland, and street ride, sight see, take pictures... We cruised by Independence Hall, City Hall, Love Park, Logan Circle, and the Philadelphia Art Museum... then we headed back East to South Street for some good Philadelphia Eats and Drinks. Many Cheese Steaks and huge Lorenzo's Pizza Slices were consumed... and we hung out all night. Good times!.

We have some new things and locations planned for this year.

We had up to 70 people riding with us - of all experience levels. From Old Pro riders to guys and gals who occasionally ride. Helmets are optional - but know that we will be riding in the city.. with real cars and buses. We all look out for each other. But if you're afraid of the city, please keep that in mind.

- IMPORTANT NOTE for (2011) - This year (because of Philly's recent Violent Flash Mob Attacks / Assaults.... there is heightened Police coverage in the city, stopping and citing any large groups of people.  Because of this, the 2011 Ride will be handled differently, and we'll be taking a few different routes. We can no longer ride through the center of the city with such a large group — so we'll be trekking around the edge of the city to get to the Art Museum, and see some different sites and areas of the city than previous years. 

Also, to keep the group together as much as possible  -  we are Highly recommending NOT bringing the whole family (young kids, grandma's ... etc) this time. This will be much more of a RIDER'S RIDE than last year. it will be a new journey, and We'll be covering more distance - with even less bike lanes, and less stopping for group catch up until get get to designated Meeting areas.

Ideally, I will be scheduling out a route and check points with meet-times for anyone who falls behind or shows up late. this will help us avoid having to stop and make sure everyone is following. (Details to come.......) - but bring your iPhones/GPS's etc.

We don't recommend you bringing inexperienced riders to this event, PLEASE leave your toddlers  young kids, and timid riders at home.
Because of the changes in the city this year: This ride is aimed more at experienced riders. People who can handle riding in an urban environment.....- as we'll be trekking across the city at a semi-fast pace dodging lots of obstacles. It can be detrimental to the flow of the ride to have the group spread too far apart across the city waiting for people who are afraid to ride in the busy streets or carefully roll thru an occasional red light . Nothing personal against inexperienced riders. but we'd like to keep the group together as much as possible this time.
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WHERE: MEETING PLACE

We’re going to meet  at the same meeting place as previous years.
At 11am - We’ll meet at the parking lot located at 588 S. Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia PA, 19106. 
It’s a pay lot with an attendant - which worked out very well for everyone and kept everyone’s cars safe from any stragglers and the (jerky) Philadelphia Parking Authority

The lot is called the "South Street Bridge" Parking Lot at Penns Landing.
We'll start here at 11 AM, hang out for a bit and wait for people to show up, and get warmed up to ride. Then make our way out on the streets to begin our cruise - About 1pm.  (Feel free to bring stuff to swap... BUT the focus of this gathering is a RIDE - not a bike show or swap meet) So be ready to ride by 1pm. 

- NOTE for (2011)!!!  - EAT breakfast and/or Lunch before you get here - or pack some lunch.  We don't plan on stopping for food until the evening - after we've ridden the whole route (besides maybe a 7-11 drink stop). From our experience with other rides, we'd like everyone to be well-fed enough to be able to ride a few hours without stopping for a mid-day meal.   Again - this is in the interest of smooth flow and fun times. Lets all be on the same page hunger-wise.

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UPDATE: --- Planned ROUTE for 2011 ---
I did a preliminary ride of the new route tonight with G. 

It's awesome - and A LOT longer than previous rides through Philly — with some great places to stop, new sights to see : including the Camden waterfront, and parts of Northern Liberties, a trek across the city and back.

So please everyone, Be warned... this ride is not for the kiddies, or the inexperienced rider who will tucker out after mile 4.  We'll have a good amount of check points and breaks in the route... But I'm pretty sure the overall distance we'll cover from start to finish (back at the starting point) is about 12 miles, with some hills and urban obstacles.



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BIKES

Any BMX bike is appropriate for this ride. BUT ... Lets try our best to keep it OLD SCHOOL.
It really was impressive to see so many old bmx bikes at the gathering last year. It really gave the whole event much more soul.

Mainly - make sure it IS ride-able.
We don't want your old bucket to be falling apart halfway through the ride.
We will be riding a fair distance. So TUNE UP those old jalopys. and Lets ride!!!

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IMPORTANT - "BRAVERY, IDIOTS, and the BUDDY SYSTEM"
We love freestyle, and riding the street obstacles, Oh Yes we do!  I've hurt myself plenty of times - and I'm better for it. It's encouraged to challenge yourself on your bike. BUT - for the sake of this ride and the whole group, we're setting a guideline for everyone. If you're going to try something TOO courageous... please be prepared to deal with the consequences on your own. We don't want to have to cancel the ride for everyone midway across town because you went over-the-bars leaping down a staircase and need to be helicoptor-lifted out of there.   If you're the kinda guy who likes to get super extreme.. That's awesome! We'd all love to see some great stunts during the ride. But please make sure you use the buddy system. (meaning, Please make sure you have a friend or two with you to help you get yourself, and your Bike, back to your car or to a hospital.)... so that the rest of us can continue. We DO care about you.. we just don't want one person's mishap to cancel everyone's day.    Lets hear it for the Buddy System...




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Traveling BY CAR
The Lot is located just north of both North and South exit ramps off of I-95 (EXIT 20). 
If you're coming from the north (I-95 S), you'll be making a left off the exit ramp (traffic light) onto Columbus Blvd, and the parking lot will be just ahead on the left.

If you're coming from the South (I-95 N), Make a left off the exit ramp onto Columbus Blvd, you'll go through 3 traffic lights. and the Lot will be on your left, just after the 3rd traffic light.

The Parking lot entrance is directly across the street from this big obnoxious Shark-fin shaped  condo/pier building that sits out on the water on the Right. Looks like this:


There's a left turning lane to get into the lot.
Here's the Lot entrance: (gotta love google street view)


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BY TRAIN or BUS

Anyone coming in on the Septa Regional Rail lines
(for NY, Jersey, or North East, you'll most likely be using NJ Transit down to the R3 "West Trenton Line".

Once the train enters the city, - the stop you want is called "Market East" Station (usually the first city stop).

Market East station spans from 9th street to 12th st... on Market Street.  Once you come out of the station....You'll want to head south about 6 blocks to South Street.

Once you hit South Street.... then head east  to the end of South Street - about 10 blocks... then cross the walking bridge at the end of south street. That will take you down to the Lot we're meeting at.

It's a quick ride from the station - about 10 fast minutes on bike.
Here's a little walking/riding map I made from Google Maps.




Coming from south street. and head east (the numbered street go down, you'll cross 2nd street) once you hit Front street (which is basically 1st Street)... there's a walking bridge with SOUTH STREET written on it (and has giant walking stick-people statues)... just cross over front street go to the end of the walking bridge - Down the Ramp/Steps and it takes you to our Lot/Meeting place.

Here's a pic of the east end of south street and the entrance of the walking bridge.


A closer shot of the south street walking bridge entrance.
(google street view... I swear I didn't mess with this picture at all....)




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For HOTEL ACCOMODTIONS. there are a bunch of options.
Here are a few of them:

Comfort Inn (at Penns Landing / Historic area) is actually Very close to where we'll be meeting up.
100 N. Chris. Columbus Blvd. Philadelphia, PA, US, 19106
Typical cheap rates... Here's a link:
http://www.comfortinn.com/ires/en-US/html/...p;promo=gglocal


The Holiday Inn (Historic District) is probably the simplest.. and close to where we'll start and end the ride.
400 Arch st., Philadelphia, PA 19106
It's a 4th and Arch Streets. which is more "In" the town near the nightlife.
Here's a Link:
http://www.holidayinn.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hote...lim&dp=true


Holiday Inn Express : PHILADELPHIA-MIDTOWN
1305-11 WALNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19107, UNITED STATES
Hotel Reservations : 1 800 972 2796


Travelodge Philadelphia
1227 Race Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 564-2888
www.travelodge.com
....looks about $120 per room.


BEST WESTERN Center City Phila 
$103 per room for the night. (internet special)
http://www.bestwesternpa.com/hotels/bes … city-hotel
(about a 12-15 min bike ride from the meeting point - I do this ride every day.)


HYATT Regency at Penns Landing
201 South Columbus Blvd.,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA 19106
Tel: +1 215 928 1234
(A little more expensive - high end hotel -  but VERY close to the meeting spot. - great view of the city too.)
Looks to be about $225 per night.
http://pennslanding.hyatt.com/hyatt/res … stid=80567


Alexander Inn
12th and Spruce Streets. Still very close.
Only $109 per night.
http://www.alexanderinn.com/index.asp

And there are a bunch of others too. (do some research)
.. but just so you know. we'll be starting on the east side of the city.

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On the CHEAP CHEAP ($35 per person for a night.)
If you are comfortable with staying in a Hostel - there's one in Philly pretty close to the meeting point.
Called "Apple Hostels"

http://www.applehostels.com/directions.php




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Other Info:

2010 Philly Ride - Information Post
http://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=248836

2009 Philly Ride - Information Post
(Lots of questions asked and answered in this link - as well as pics - starting on page 9)
http://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=157878

2008 Philly Ride Information Post
http://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=75053

2008 Ride PHOTOS and commentary. (fun!!!!)
http://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=81732

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2011 SHIRTS, Posters & Stuff....

I'll do my best to get some Posters made up again this year - but my printing source for those fell through.
I'd like have a memento for everyone who attended. So we'll see.

SHIRTS : I'm hoping to have T-Shirts made again this year — Same design as the flyer above.
UPDATE - Shirts are ordered.

I'll have a limited supply. First priority for shirts will be attendees of the ride. Please don't bank on grabbing some for friends and family who aren't present at the ride, until everyone gets a shirt at the ride. The point of the shirts is so we can all wear them that day.    

Last year we handed out shirts Only at the Ride "meeting point"... and we asked for donations - chip in whatever you can - even if it's not much . It worked out well last year. We will be covering the initial cost of the shirts.. and hope with donations (If you can manage it) that we will come close to breaking even again.  We really just want people to have something to take home with them to remember the ride.


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I Hope I got all the info in this lengthy post... and it helps answer any questions you may have.
I'll be updating it as I figure out more details.

Most of all. I look forward to hanging, and riding again on September 18th.

Last edited by chromey (2011-09-13 10:17pm)