Schuykill River Trail

From Conshohocken to Valley Forge it is paved and completely flat. It is safe in the morning. If you go very early just watch out for wildlife, I was on the trail early and the person in front of me almost got nailed by a deer. If you go a little later, say 10-11am the trail will be pretty busy, and sometimes a bit of a circus. You get everything from people walking their dog to triathletes down on the bars going 25+ mph.

If you want to try and meet up with some BT'ers it shouldn't be too difficult, lots of us around those parts.

There is a section near Valley Forge, Beltzwood Park, where the paving gets a little rough, especially heading back towards Conshy.  It's under the trees, seems the blacktop is getting pushed up by roots or something.  But nothing major.

During the week, the SEPTA lot where most people park at Conshohocken is supposed to be for SEPTA users only, though I don't know how much they enforce it.  Should be street parking in the area however.  Weekends are OK to park there.

That spot is fun on a late afternoon in the fall. You have the bumps from the roots, tree debris, and long shadows. Good times!

Wet leaves! Bad news there. Also that's where I saw someone almost get nailed by a deer. And  there are homicidal psycho jungle squirrels everywhere.

And don't forget the Team in Training folks who do group runs up there.

I did forget about that! Now I'm getting purple flashbacks to last fall. Like I said, I try to avoid the SRT when I can on the weekends, unless it's very early.

Got another good one for you. River Road to Barren Hill/Cedar Grove lane. Right on Joshua Road. This continues for about 6.5 miles with some tough hills and past Ft. Washington State Park. If you keep going the name changes to Lafayette and you end up in Ambler.

I think there would be a good route if you made a left at Morris Rd. It looks like it goes around 7 miles and puts you near Evansburg State Park. I have to figure out how to get back into the city from there, though. Looks to be about 65+ miles.

The more I ride the SRT, the more I like it as a "connector" to get to other less traffic roads and hill climbs.  If you go on cold enough days or early enough, there aren't many people out there. I did this ride over the weekend and the road out on 29 was gorgeous.  There was nobody on the trail in the AM hours of Saturday.  Not a lot of climbing but a fun ride.  

http://app.strava.com/rides/7509687

Thanks for that, I just looked on strava. Bet I could take Mill Road to 29 and follow it back (see previous post). Sunday was just beautiful. Saturday was long run day.

FYI there was just a post about someone's pit bull attacking cyclists at the start of the SRT off Nixon:

On Apr 30, 2012, at 7:21 AM, R wrote:

Dear friends,

I was bitten by a pit bull dog yesterday afternoon along Nixon Street in Philadelphia and I would like to share a word of warning with you.Nixon street is the section of homes that is at the eastern end of the SRTas you approach Manayunk.   The dog lives in the last house on the left as you ride toward Manayunk (and before you take the left up the hill or the right down the canal path).   The dog attacked me from behind before I could react.  He bit my right ankle and then he ran around and grabbed my left ankle.  Fortunately, there were no serious injuries (but there was blood).

According to the owner, I was the 6th or 7th cyclist attached by their dog! Yes, he admitted that to me despite his wife telling him to shut up! Incidentally, the man thought the incident was funny so that should give you good reason to keep your eyes open as you pass that area.   The dog is a pit bull mix and is tan and light colored.    I plan to notify authorities today. 

I've seen that dog and have always been cautious around it. Will be even more vigilant in the future. Hope proper official measures are taken.