Explore the scenery, glimpse the history, and discover the lure of the Brandywine Creek on the second annual Bike the Brandywine in Chester and Delaware counties on September 30.

Hosted during the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art’s 50th anniversary year of celebrations, this year’s Bike the Brandywine will offer three routes that take in the beautiful Brandywine Creek Greenway and surrounding countryside.

Riders can choose from distances of 25, 50, and 100 miles, each with a unique and thrilling experience for both the recreational and more avid seasoned cyclist. Proceeds from the ride benefit the Brandywine Conservancy’s clean water programs.

Following both the East and West Branch of the historic and scenic waterway, the 100-mile loop will guide riders from Chadds Ford all the way to the creek’s headwaters in bucolic Honey Brook Township.

Along the way riders will experience iconic western  Chester County vistas and countless views of rural landscapes, rich history, and active farmland, some of which the Brandywine Conservancy has helped preserve for future generations.

The 50-mile loop gives riders looking for a shorter Brandywine experience a route that also follows both branches of the creek. Following the West Branch to The Laurels Preserve and then crossing through the valley to reach the creek’s East Branch just south of Downingtown.

The route rejoins the 100-mile route and visits the historic village of Marshallton. Riders on the 50-mile route will experience the historic sites, incredible vistas, and bucolic countryside along their journey.

As an exciting introduction to the Brandywine Creek Greenway for the recreational cyclist, the 25-mile loop closely mirrors the early routes of both the 100- and 50-mile options.

Following the West Branch of the Brandywine Creek through open farmland and scenic river valleys, this route provides a trip through the historic village of Marshallton, past one of the oldest barns in Pennsylvania and through areas of the historic Brandywine Battlefield.

Each loop starts and ends at the Chadds Ford Historical Society, 1736 N Creek Road, Chadds Ford, Delaware County.

Cyclists of legal drinking age will be entitled to one free pint of Victory beer at the ride’s conclusion.

The post-ride celebration at the Chadds Ford Historical Society will also feature a DJ and food available for purchase at the Victory Brewing Company food truck and the Punk’d Pineapple Ice Cream Truck.

Bike the Brandywine is generously sponsored by the William Penn Foundation, Aqua Pennsylvania, Victory Brewing Company, Willowdale Town Center, L.L. Bean, Wohlsen Construction, For Fox Sake and The Whip Tavern.

Additional in-kind support provided by Voler, Trek Bicycle, Brandywine Cyclery, RoadID, Honey Stinger, Kind Bars, Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce, Chadds Ford Historical Society, and Starbucks.

The Brandywine Creek Greenway is a regional planning initiative of the Brandywine Conservancy, along with 25 municipal partners in Chester and Delaware counties along both branches of the Brandywine, to create a 30-mile conservation and recreation corridor.

It stretches from the Delaware state line just south of Chadds Ford to the Pennsylvania Highlands Mega-Greenway near Honey Brook.

The Brandywine Creek and its network of parks and trails form the western limit of The Circuit regional trail network of the greater Philadelphia region. 

Goals of the Greenway include protecting scenic, historic, and natural resources; educating communities about the Brandywine and its resources; and promoting recreational resources.

The greenway designation highlights the diverse resources of the corridor, provides conservation ideas and encouragement to municipalities and private landowners alike, and builds healthier, more sustainable communities that contribute to the well-being of those who live, work, and visit there.

The event takes place rain or shine from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Advance registration is $50 per rider, but the fee will increase closer to the date of the event.

The registration fee also includes a “Bike the Brandywine” t-shirt; must register by August 31 to guarantee choice of t-shirt size. Registration is now open online. 

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Brandywine Conservancy website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Conservancy (middle of the webpage.)  Visit the Conservancy’s Blog, Like the Conservancy on Facebook and Follow them on Instagram.

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[Posted: August 25, 2017]

8/28/2017