Philadelphia, PA, Aug. 5, 2013 – For the eighth year, Weavers Way Co-op is celebrating Philadelphia’s vibrant urban farming scene with its Urban Farm Bike Ride.

 

On Saturday, Sept. 7, more than 150 riders will set out from Greensgrow Farms in Kensington to visit farms and talk to farmers in West Philadelphia, South Philadelphia, Southwest Philadelphia, North Philadelphia, Roxborough and Germantown.

 

This year’s rain-or-shine event features two different routes, both intended to be friendly group outings at a moderate pace suitable for most riders.

 

The longer ride, at 29.5 miles, heads to West Philadelphia and on to Roxborough and Germantown before returning to Kensington. It visits:

• Walnut Hill Farm and Neighborhood Foods CSA Farm in West Philadelphia.
• Weavers Way’s Henry Got Crops Farm at W.B. Saul High School in Roxborough.
• Weavers Way’s main production farm at Awbury Arboretum in Germantown.
• Grumblethorpe farm and historic house in Germantown.

The shorter ride, at 21.5 miles, heads to West Philadelphia and Southwest Philadelphia, then to South Philadelphia and North Philadelphia before returning to Kensington. It visits:

• Mill Creek Farm and Farm 51 in West Philadelphia.
• Bartram’s Garden Farm in Southwest Philadelphia.
• Novick Brothers Farm in South Philadelphia.
• Teens4Good Farm in North Philadelphia.

Snacks and water will be supplied along the routes, and participants can partake of pizza and beer at the end of the ride at Philadelphia Brewing Company. All riders get a commemorative 2013 Urban Farms Bike Ride T-shirt.

 

The ride benefits the nonprofit Weavers Way Community Programs, which provides farm education at Weavers Way Co-op’s two farms and runs a farm and education program at Stenton Family Manor in Mt. Airy, one of the city’s largest shelters for homeless women and children.

 

In addition to Weavers Way, major ride sponsors include Clean Currents, Philadelphia Brewing Company and Tees Delivered.

 

The cost to riders is $35 per person for online registration before Sept. 3, $45 on the day of the ride (cash or check only). To register online, visit app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/ WeaversWayCommunityPrograms_1/BikeTour.html. (For registration help, email Weavers Way Community Programs at wwcp@weaversway.coop.)

 

Weavers Way 2013 Urban Farm Bike Ride

 

When: Saturday, Sept. 7, approximately 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. rain or shine. The longer ride, at 29.5 miles, starts at 8 a.m., with check-in at 7:45. The shorter ride, at 21.5 miles, starts at 8:25 a.m., with check-in at 8:10.

 

Starts at: Greensgrow Farms, 2501 E. Cumberland St.

 

Ends at: Philadelphia Brewing Company, 2440 Frankford Ave.

 

Travels to: Kensington, West Philadelphia, Southwest Philadelphia, South Philadelphia, North Philadelphia, Germantown, Mt. Airy, Roxborough.

 

What to expect: Great rides through Philadelphia’s unique and vibrant neighborhoods; inspiring talks with Philadelphia’s pioneering urban farmers; great beer and pizza at the end of the ride; snacks and water along the route; a 2013 Urban Farms Bike Ride T-shirt.