Philly Bike Expo 2026

[Dan Dunmire]

Anyone else thinking about going this year?

[tío ryan]

Yes, I'm very much looking forward to it! I plan on taking Amtrak from NYC like I did last year. 

[Conway Bennett]

I'll be in Philly for an alumni event the day before, so I am planning on attending.

[Julian Westerhout]

I'm planning on being there. Will be combining it with a visit to family in MD. 

Last year there were several fun rides Saturday evening and Sunday morning that were Riv-centric/adjacent. Nothing on the schedule yet -- hopefully something similar will happen this year, officially or not. 

Julian Westerhout

Bloomington, IL 

[Josh Brown]

Anyone opening the thread and looking for the dates of the Philly bike expo: it's March 14 & 15

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Josh

[Roberta]

I’ll be there and am local (I can walk to the event, but I’ll ride there and take advantage of the bike valet parking). I’m happy to help anyone with local information. 

Get your hotel room now. They seem to be going fast and expensively. 

For anyone who wants to come early and want to go on bike rides, I recommend:

1. the Schuylkill river Trail west to Valley Forge, one way is 20 miles from center city Philadelphia but if you want a longer ride, just keep on riding.  

2.  Another nice trail is at Washington Crossing State Park on the tow path.  30 miles from Philadelphia or Septa commuter train to the Yardley Station.  

 3. A shorter ride is over the Ben Franklin Bridge to New Jersey and south along the waterway in Camden, past the aquarium, Rutgers U, and the submarine (with a tour). About 10 miles each way. 

Tim commented about perhaps leading a ride.  He rides a tall Sam hillbourne. 

https://phillybikeexpo.com

Roberta

Philadelphia 

[Rusty Click]

Hi Roberta,

I am hoping to make my first BikeExpo, but haven't cleared the calendar yet.  I don't know if I'm bringing one of my Riv's or just driving in from Pittsburgh and could use a recommendation on a hotel in the vicinity.  I can make the reservation now and cancel if needed I suppose!

Thanks in Advance.

Rusty Click

Pgh, PA

[Rusty Click]

Hi Julian,

If I'm there, it would be great to see you and maybe join for a ride...even if It isn't Iowa!  There is an idea...maybe we could convince some of the Riv Sisters to experience RAGBRAI!

Rusty Click

Pgh, PA

[Roberta]

For RAGBAI, speak with Leah and Pam.  They will both be there and Pam usually has a very interesting talk.  I will cheer you on from Philadelphia.

Everything downtown will be close, but sometimes pricy.  One person told me she's staying at the Wyndham Hotel at 400 Arch Streets, about 7-9 blocks away, up Arch street, depending on the entrance they want us to use.  Every Philadelphia block is 1/10th of a mile, so that is a quick walk or bike ride to Broad Street.  She says price is good.

Others are staying at the recommended host hotel.  Here's a direct link from the Bike Expo's page: https://book.passkey.com/event/51141621/owner/8399/home. This hotel is about a block away.

We also checked out the Hilton Garden Inn on 11th and Arch streets and they were selling out of rooms and the ones available were $350/night.

Andy C. from Pittsburgh and some others stay along the Schylkill River trail at one of the hotels and ride in.  A nice 15 mile way to start the day.  If anyone does this, contact me for info on riding thru Manyunk, about a one mile road part of the SRT.  Everything else is off road.

Anything in historic district, center city, or Chinatown is very close.

I look forward to meeting everyone.

Roberta

[Julian Westerhout]

Rusty, 

I hope you make it to Philly -- will be good to see you again (and to ride a bit!)

Julian 

[Johnny Alien]

The way its going up here we will probably still be completely frozen when this rolls around

[Spencer Robinson]

I am attending this year, never been so I am looking forward to it. Not sure if I will bring my Riv…probably a single speed beater so I can lock up without worry…but maybe. 

On Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 10:16:23 AM UTC-5 d4du...@gmail.com wrote:

[Roberta]

My first post disappeared so hopefully you don’t have to see two of these. 

I look forward to meeting you after following you on Instagram for years  

There is a wonderful and free bike valet service run by a local nonprofit community bike center.   We get a ticket that we need to claim our bike and I feel very secure locking my bike there.   On the city streets, I do a dual lock up – – heavy duty U lock for frame and back wheel to immovable object, and a U lock between front wheel and frame to protect my Dyno wheel.  However, do what makes you comfortable.  Philadelphia is flat so a single speed will work just fine.

If you’re coming down on the PA side on I-95, you might consider a stop at Washington’s Crossing State Park to ride the tow path. It’s my favorite ride in the region.

Roberta

Philadelphia

[Spencer Robinson]

Hi Roberta, 

Thanks for the info! I think i first met you at the 25th anniversary ride at Miniwaska , i look forward to seeing you in Philly

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[Roberta]

Oh, I think that’s right!  I was new to the Rivendell scene then and it was a first meeting everybody there. It was a beautiful ride, but I was dying on the hills since there’s basically none here.

Roberta

[Alex Buly]

I'm really interested in attending this year and thinking about bringing my Platypus down from NYC. Has anyone brought their long wheelbase Riv on NJ Transit > SEPTA?

[Steven Seelig]

When I have driven with my kid, we parked north of Center City and took a ride down the Schuykill River path to the Expo.  We parked here and rode down the hill to the riverside path.  Nice ride along the river, past the Art Museum and then up Benjamin Franklin to the Expo.  Bonus points if you have a kid in tow because you pass the Franklin Institute kids science museum, which you can visit once they get bored with the Expo.  That and Reading Terminal for lunch.

This year my plan is to visit the Barnes Museum after several hours at the Expo.

[Richard Rose]

Steven, you parked at the tennis courts?

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 27, 2026, at 9:31 AM, 'Steven Seelig' via RBW Owners Bunch <rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

When I have driven with my kid, we parked north of Center City and took a ride down the Schuykill River path to the Expo.  We parked here and rode down the hill to the riverside path.  Nice ride along the river, past the Art Museum and then up Benjamin Franklin to the Expo.  Bonus points if you have a kid in tow because you pass the Franklin Institute kids science museum, which you can visit once they get bored with the Expo.  That and Reading Terminal for lunch.

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[Conway Bennett]

I'm in.  I'll be there Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Fair winds,

Captain Conway Bennett
239.877.4119

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[Dan Dunmire]

We are planning the same with a platty and a Homer. As I understand it bikes and riders go in the handicapped accessible car and take up wheel chair space but I could be wrong. I would l like to hear if anyone has better info. 

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[Roberta]

I’d bet no issues on NJT.  But that’s just a hunch. 

On Septa, officially they are to only allow two bikes per car, and there isn’t any unless on a group bike ride.  Find the end of the car with the seats facing each other and you can fit you, a friend, and a bike on a diagonal. I’ve done this many times with my Platypus. 

BTW, if you can get “the right” Amtrak Keystone corridor train, it can be less expensive than NYT/Septa, but you’d have to pay for bike. A few of their trains on this route, specifically, are very inexpensive. 

Roberta

Philadelphia 

On Friday, February 27, 2026 at 9:12:09 AM UTC-5 alex...@gmail.com wrote:

[Roberta]

Yes, I forgot about newer trains.  On some of the newer trains, you can flip up the handicapped seats that run along the side of the car and put your bike. For the older trains just find the sets of seats that face each other.  Two bikes per car is the official limit, and some of the Septa engineers are sticklers to that.  

Roberta

Philadelphia 

[Steven Seelig]

Somewhere near there.  Lots of spaces.

[Alex Buly]

Thanks Roberta, that's super helpful to know! I've been waffling between bringing my Platypus or go with a Brompton for convenience, but sounds like the Platty is very doable.

[Stephen Merelman]

I've done this after rides down to Philly. It's the usual amount of annoyance. On Septa, you have to wedge yourself in sort of diagonally at the end of the car. NJT  has the vestibules. The Trenton transit center transfer is a lot stairs and standing around. 

On Friday, February 27, 2026 at 9:12:09 AM UTC-5 alex...@gmail.com wrote:

[Bob Ehrenbeck]

I'll be there on Saturday, taking Amtrak from Metropark for a day trip. This year, I'll be bringing my Brompton to ride in the annual Brompton Breakfast Roll (the 9th year of the event, but my first).

Bob Ehrenbeck

Cranford, New Jersey

[Dan Dunmire]

We are traveling on Friday tentatively planning NJ Transit to New Brunswick and biking the D and R canal path to Trenton- if its not too sloppy. Then Septa the rest of the way to Philly.

Dan LI, NY

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[Spencer Robinson]

Hope to stay Hi Bob!

On Sun, Mar 8, 2026 at 8:01 PM Bob Ehrenbeck <ree...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Bob Ehrenbeck]

Same here, Spencer!

[Roberta]

Dan, the D&R sounds like fun. I haven’t done that part yet. I look forward to hearing your stories of it. 

For all NJT folks, another option for partially riding to Philly  (or do on reverse when you leave) is take NJT to Trenton, exit the station to the left, go 300 feet, and get on the NJ Riverline ($.75 last time I took it). The river line parallels the Delaware river through the small towns of South Jersey until you get to Camden.  Plus, they have no limits on the number of bikes in a car.  

Get off at one of the Camden stops and ride to the foot of the Ben Franklin Bridge on the south side.  Ride over the bridge on the elevated pedestrian walkway, and enjoy the sights. And you’ll be in Philadelphia at 5th and Race streets. The convention center is less than a mile away up Arch Street.  Total ride would be about 5 miles.

I typically ride the river line to the last stop, which is at the Camden Aquarium. Ride on the road (towards the Ben Franklin Bridge) that parallels the Delaware river, make a right on Pearl Street until you get to the foot of the Ben Franklin Bridge on the south side.  Note: they close the walkway after dark so don’t try to go over it after about 7 PM.

Roberta

Philadelphia

[ascpgh]

My wife lived in Princeton and worked in Raritan before we were married, and I rode the D&R on my XO-2 when visiting. 

Interesting motivation in the canal's proposal, and shameful manner of securing labor for its construction. Good historical information markers along the way. Was more "pristine" than the C&O when I was last on it, when much of it was in an as-is state. Fun way to get to Philadelphia 

Andy Cheatham

Pittsburgh

On Monday, March 9, 2026 at 8:50:26 AM UTC-4 d4du...@gmail.com wrote:

[Sam McDermott]

Apologies if this got posted before, but pertinent information for repeat attendees:

Important Location Change This Year

The Bike Expo is NOT in its usual location in 2026.

 The Expo is in HALL F
 Entrance: East side of 12th & Arch Streets

Both the Bike Expo and the Bike Valet will be on the street level this year.

Helpful orientation points once you arrive:

• NBW Booths: #401 and #500 (side by side) near the front entrances

• Bike Valet: along the far right wall of Hall F

Inside info because I'm tabling at a booth for a nonprofit here (Neighborhood Bike Works) which also runs the bike valet program during the event.

Safe travels, all visitors!

-Sam

[Jamie D.]

Thanks for the update Sam!

Just a heads up that 12th St. between Spring Garden and Race St. is in really bad shape and has trolley tracks so it's quite treacherous.

Also!  We were chatting in another thread about potentially meeting up for a Riv test ride session. Keystone Bicycle Co. would likely be a great place to do this, it's a great shop to visit with a fenced off/chill parking lot and you can do laps on the American St. bike lane right out front. They're only open on Saturday but the lot is open on Sunday as well. 

[Roberta]

Sam and Jamie,

Thanks for the heads up. Trolley tracks are specially treacherous because there’s not quite enough room on the outside of the tracks to ride and it’s usually bumpy on the inside of the tracks. It’s very easy to get your tires caught in the track and have you go down with your bike. 

 Also, I found out today that Keystone Bike will not be having their annual Saturday night bike after party get together. 😞.   Pam Murray( from Pam likes to bike) , who typically leads a ride to the party,  is working onleading a different ride that evening.  

Roberta (if you see me walking around the expo, please say hello. I am female and have white hair so will stick out from the crowd.  If I remember, I’ll tie the Riv lug bandanna to my backpack)

Philadelphia

[Pam Bikes]

Yes!  I'll be at PBE and will be presenting Sat at 10:30.   Please come to my seminar!   I'm planning to eat dinner at Nom Wah at 5:30 then ride after dinner.  I'll make a reservation tomorrow.  If anyone wants to join us, please let me know.  We'll start the ride from Nom Wah at 7 pm and do a 10 - 15 mile ride.  Roberta is local and is making us a great route!  Bring your lights (and make sure they're charged).  I can't wait to meet everyone.  I'll be bringing my heavily beausaged Betty Foy. If you're around Sun morning, I'llbe leading a ride from Reading Terminal Market at 8 am (meet at 7:45 am).