Philadelphia Bike-a-Log: Brompton on the Schuylkill River Trail

I brought my Brompton to Philadelphia so I wouldn’t need to get in a car between the station and my hotel (in fact I made it all the way to Philly without getting in a car at all, by riding the Brompton 80 miles to the train station). But I also wanted to ride the Schuylkill River Trail, and Friday that’s what I did. It did not disappoint! I would have taken more photos, but I was enjoying myself too much to dismount every time I saw another scenic opportunity. I recommend riding it yourself if you can; it is very pretty.

My route, according to Strava. The only badpart was getting to and from the train through congested downtown Philadelphia.
My route, according to Strava. The only bad part was getting to and from the train through congested downtown Philadelphia.
I entered the trail here, where it's a concrete "boardwalk."
I entered the trail downtown, where it’s a concrete “boardwalk.”

I only got a short distance south before the trail was closed. So I turned around and headed north.
I only got a short distance south before the trail was closed. So I turned around and headed north.
8 miles later here I was at beautiful Fairmont Park.
8 miles later, here I was at beautiful Fairmont Park.
I'm told this is the Wissahickon Creek.
I’m told this is the Wissahickon Creek.
There were huge old bridges everywhere. Also some steep inclines on the paved trail, which made me appreciate my Brompton's 11-speed Alfine hub. (My Brompton was modified by Kinetics of Glasgow.)
There were huge old bridges everywhere. Also some steep inclines on the paved trail, which made me appreciate my Brompton’s 11-speed Alfine hub. (My Brompton was modified by Kinetics of Glasgow.)
Headed south again, back into Philadelphia.
Headed south again, back into Philadelphia.
2 days later, my Brompton and I were on the train back to Illinois.
2 days later, my Brompton and I were on the train back to Illinois.
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Author: Nina Paley

Animator. Director. Artist. Scapegoat.

2 thoughts on “Philadelphia Bike-a-Log: Brompton on the Schuylkill River Trail”

  1. Cool bike. How much weight does the Afine add compared to a 6 speed? Makes shifting simpler by a whole lot I suppose. Also, are you mostly cycling alone for 80 miles? Did you encounter any other cyclist? Can’t tell from pics.

  2. Owned and ridden bicycles all my life.
    I would like to know what you have to say about AJ’s questions, too.

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