New York City-to-Philadelphia Greenway Ride FAQ

Bike NYC to Philly

• JUNE 2020 UPDATE (Ride postponed to late spring 2021)
• REGISTER NOW
• RIDE INFORMATION
• VOLUNTEER INFORMATION  

1. How can I register for the New York City-to-Philadelphia Ride? More than 2,000 riders have expressed interested in the event, and we encourage early registration so you don’t miss out! Online registration is now open. 

2. What can I expect on the ride? We plan to host hundreds of riders from the region and beyond for the 130-mile, 2-day event. After departing Manhattan, the supported ride aims to be a safe, fun experience for all participants with an overnight stop in Princeton, New Jersey, and an end-of-ride celebration in Philadelphia. This event is a recreational ride. We urge cyclists to ride at a conservative pace and be considerate of others, especially on stretches of the Greenway in New Jersey that allow for no more than two cyclists abreast.

3. What is the route? Following the East Coast Greenway to Philadelphia, we'll ride for nearly half the route on trails and paths separated from traffic. These greenway sections include paved trails such as the lovely Nomahegan Park Path in Cranford, N.J., as well as unpaved trails such as the D&R Canal Towpath. On-road sections include a mix of suburban, urban, and commercial corridors. Cyclists will be supported with escorts in busier sections, police vehicles at major intersections, and SAG services. Prior to the ride, we will provide custom GPX files, cue sheets and ways to download the 2-day route for each participant. Click here for a description of the route and a map.

4. What type of bike and/or tires should I use on the ride? The route for the New York City-to-Philadelphia Greenway Ride can be completed with a hybrid, gravel or road bike. We recommend a hybrid, gravel or other bike with thicker tires due to the mixed terrain of the ride route. If riding a road bike, we recommend a minimum tire width of 28mm. Route conditions will vary based on weather and can be a little slower going right after or during rain with muddy patches of trail. More details on the route are available here. 

5. How much will the ride cost? The registration fee for the New York City-to-Philadelphia Ride is $125 for standard registration and $225 for premium registration. Following registration, each rider will make a commitment to raise $500 (standard) or $1,000 (premium) in support of the East Coast Greenway Alliance prior to the ride. Our team will offer tools and tips for successful fundraising following registration. Riders who register and begin fundraising early will be most successful. In addition, we are offering some amazing fundraising incentives for ride participants. Click here and scroll down for a list.

Note: By signing up for the New York City-to-Philadelphia Ride, you are committing to fundraise either $500 or $1,000 for the East Coast Greenway Alliance. If you do not meet the minimum requirement for either standard or premium registration, your credit card will be charged the balance at a to-be-determined date once the postponed ride date is finalized.

6. What are the differences between standard and premium registration? Premium registrants will have overnight hotel accommodations included in Princeton, as well as access to a post-ride shuttle at no additional charge. Standard registrants will have access to an overnight campsite in Princeton. Standard registrants may opt to secure their own accommodations in one of four hotels or elsewhere in Princeton. Click here for more lodging information.

Both levels of registration will receive an exclusive event T-shirt, peer-to-peer fundraising support, gear transportation, ferry access in New York City, food and drink at official ride rest stops, including lunch day one, and opening and closing ceremony festivities.

7. What will my fundraising efforts support? With a special a focus on improving the route between New York City and Philadelphia, proceeds from this ride will benefit the nonprofit East Coast Greenway Alliance, which is developing a 3,000-mile multi-use trail from Maine to Florida. Roughly one-third of our route is on protected greenways, and our organization is working daily to complete the route as close to 2030 as possible. Our hope is that this event will become an annual celebration of the East Coast Greenway that increases awareness of our route, celebrates the progress in the Tri-State region, and highlights the importance of protected trails and the additional resources needed to complete the East Coast Greenway. Events like this support our goals of health, sustainability, and economic development.

8. Is there a timeline for my fundraising? Yes. An updated fundraising timeline will be shared once the new ride date is finalized. There will be deadlines to have completed 50 percent of your fundraising commitment, as well as the full amount, prior to the ride. Please email Cheryl Ann Welsh  with any fundraising questions or if you would like help with your fundraising. 

9. I don’t want to ask others to support my ride financially. Can I cover my entire fundraising commitment at the time of registration? Yes. You may make a donation to the East Coast Greenway Alliance via the registration platform at the time of sign up or before the event. 

10. How will riders get across the Hudson River from Manhattan to Jersey City? While part of the East Coast Greenway route traverses the George Washington Bridge, all riders in this event will have complimentary access to a ferry across the Hudson. Specific details will be distributed prior to the ride. Click here for more transportation information.

11. What lodging options are available at the midway point of the ride in Princeton? A number of lodging options will be available for event participants in Princeton, New Jersey. Access to reserve a campsite at the Princeton Family YMCA will be available to riders on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to camp, you MUST indicate your interest at the time of registration. There are a number of hotels available as well. Riders who register at the premium level will receive a hotel room at the at no additional cost. Those who raise at least $2,000 in support of the East Coast Greenway can stay at the Nassau Inn at no additional cost. Click here for more lodging information.

12. I want to camp in Princeton. Do I need to supply my own tent? Yes. Riders interested in utilizing a campsite in Princeton will be required to supply their own tent, which will be transported along with your baggage. Tents must occupy a footprint no larger than 8-feet by 8-feet. If you have a special request about utilizing a larger tent to accommodate a larger group of riders, please contact our staff at nyctophilly@greenway.org.

13. I want to return to New York City after biking to Philadelphia. How do I do that? There are a number of transportation options between New York City and Philadelphia. Interested riders may purchase tickets on a post-ride shuttle back to New York City from Philadelphia. Information on how to purchase tickets will be distributed via email to registered riders. Bikes will not be permitted on the shuttle back to New York City. Riders who choose to access this shuttle also will be responsible for shipping their bikes. More information about bike shipping options also will be available soon. Click here for more information.

14. Can I rent a bike for the ride? Yes! Unlimited Biking will provide convenient bike rental services for the event beginning at $99. You may pick up your bike at the start in New York City and drop it off in Philadelphia at the conclusion of the ride with no need to transport your bike. Visit unlimitedbiking.com for more details and to rent your bike. 

15. What baggage service will be available? One-way baggage service from New York City to Philadelphia will be provided by event organizers for all ride participants. Event production company Global Impact Productions will load, transport and unload bags for all riders. At the end of day one in Princeton, baggage will be available for pick up at the ride finish at the Princeton Family YMCA. Specific details will be provided closer to the ride.

16. What snacks and meals are provided? All riders will have access to snacks and drinks at supported rest stops throughout the ride. Lunch on day one, also will be provided. The post-ride celebration will feature heavy hors d'oeuvres for all riders.

17. What should I bring with me on the ride? Even though the New York City-to-Philadelphia is a supported event, participants should prepare to be minimally self-sufficient. Suggested items to carry on the ride include:

• Spare tube, pump/inflator with cartridges

• Cell phone

• Full water bottle

• Maps/cue sheets

• Photo identification

• Extra food and hydration

• Lip Balm/sunscreen

• Bike lock

18. Are tandem bikes permitted? Yes. Tandem bikes are permitted for the New York City-to-Philadelphia Greenway Ride. However, each rider must register as an individual at either the standard or premium rate. 

19. Is there a minimum age for ride participants? Yes. All ride participants must be at least 14 years of age on day one of the ride. Riders ages 14-17 must be accompanied by an adult parent or guardian at all times during the ride. No children riding in bike trailers will be permitted for this event. 

20. What is the weather policy for the ride? There is no rain date for the New York City-to-Philadelphia Greenway Ride. In the case of severe weather, the East Coast Greenway Alliance reserves the right to cancel/alter/modify the ride for safety concerns. Ride fees are non-refundable and non-transferable to other riders. In the unlikely case that we have to cancel, cyclists may claim their registration fee as a tax-deductible donation to the nonprofit East Coast Greenway Alliance. If the 2020 event is cancelled due to inclement weather, the East Coast Greenway Alliance will offer a discount on the ride in 2021.

21. I have more questions. Who can I talk to? East Coast Greenway Alliance staff members are available to answer your questions via email at nyctophilly@greenway.org and via phone at 919-797-0619 x 1. 

• REGISTER NOW
• RIDE INFORMATION
• VOLUNTEER INFORMATION