Schuylkill River Greenways hosts Ride for the River in Pottstown

Now that we’re on the tail end of what will hopefully be our last heat wave of the summer, it won’t be long before the cooler days of fall will be upon us. Cooler weather serves as an ideal time to take in the beauty of nature that’s easily accessible to us whether walking, running, biking or paddling.

Next Saturday, Sept. 16, you’ll have the opportunity to Ride for the River, an annual event hosted by Schuylkill River Greenways, a non-profit organization that promotes the Schuylkill River, its watershed and the Schuylkill River Trail.

Schuylkill River Greenways’ mission is to connect residents, visitors and communities to the River, to foster stewardship of the watershed and its heritage.

Saturday, Sept. 9, is the last day to receive discounted pricing for the 15- and 34-mile rides up until midnight. The four-mile Family Fun Ride will stay the same price until the day of the event.

“This year it’s the same route, but the big thing that’s exciting is we have been trying to grow our family fun ride,” said Alex Shandera, events and development coordinator for Schuylkill River Greenways. “It’s a great opportunity for parents and first-time riders and kids who want to get out there and do a smaller bike ride and not feel pressured.”

The cost of the family ride is intended to be affordable to make it inclusive for parents and their children.

“It’s $35 for one parent and two children under age 12,” Shandera said.

The first ride, beginning at 9 a.m., is 34 miles long and is a round-trip ride beginning at Riverfront Park in Pottstown to Berks Nature in Reading. The 9:30 a.m. ride is a 15-mile round-trip ride from Riverfront Park to Union Township Recreation Area. The Family Fun Ride departs at 10 a.m. and is a round-trip ride beginning at Riverfront Park to Grosstown Road. It is recommended for all riders to arrive at the starting location at Riverfront Park a half hour prior to their start time.

If you miss out on the discounted pricing for the event, you can still register online until Thursday at midnight as well as in-person on race day beginning at 8 a.m.

Regardless of the length of ride you choose to do, Schuylkill River Greenways will provide fuel on the trail.

“It’s a fun event, we provide snacks, water, Gatorade and rest stops for all participants along the route and we bring in education at the end to tie it all back in, together,” she said.

Also at the end, each child who finishes the ride receives a medal.

“This is new as of last year and we are continuing it this year,” Shandera said. “It’s something to mark an accomplishment for them.”

If you don’t have a bike, don’t let that hold you back from signing up for the race that gives you full exposure to all that the Schuylkill River Heritage Area has to offer.

“Schuylkill River Greenways has a bike share program and we will have about 15 bikes that can be used free of charge the day of,” she said. “They just have to email us to reserve them beforehand at events@schuylkillriver.org.”

Ride for the River offers more than a scenic ride. Schuylkill River Greenways’s event partner, Sly Fox Brewing Company, provides the post-ride celebration which includes food, drink and live music.

“Everyone who participates in the ride will get a food and beverage voucher and then they will be able to hang out and listen to live music for the rest of the day,” Shandera said.

Every year the event has a raffle, but this year Shandera shared it will be something new and exciting.

“This year we have a really nice bike donated by REI in King of Prussia,” she said. “It’s a really cool bike and I’m obsessed with the color that’s a pale burnt orange.”

Shandera is expecting 250 to 300 riders this year, including families.

“If you’re a first-time rider it’s a great way to explore the area and find a new route,” she said. “We have tons of volunteers who help us on the ride and it’s something different you can try for the first time with tons of other people.”

Participating in this ride gives you the opportunity to support a good cause.

“The money from the ride will help our organization be able to continue to build and maintain the Schuylkill River Trail,” Shadera said. “Going out on the ride and being a part of a bigger community and exploring what’s out there creates a love of the trail you want to protect and continue to use.”

Ride for the River 2023 is hosted by Schuylkill River Greenways and Sly Fox Brewing Company and will be held at Riverfront Park (departure location), 140 College Drive, on Saturday, Sept. 16. Race times are 9, 9:30 and 10 a.m. (varies according to distance of ride). For more information, visit www.schuylkillriver.org. Register at www.bikereg.com/ride-for-the-river-org. Register by Saturday, Sept. 9, for an early bird discount.