Wednesday Night Rides

2026-10-14 | Southwest Bikeways

2026-10-12T00:00:00+00:00

Zine news: the zine will be for sale ($5) at the ride start and finish. The zine is also in stock at these shops: Partners and Son, Keystone Bicycle Co, Ellie & Bird, american grammar, Firth & Wilson Transport Cycles (both locations), Firehouse Bicycles, Cadence Cycling (center city), Via Bicycle, Brickbat Books, and A Novel Idea on Passyunk.

This week’s ride will show off some of the best riding and infrastructure in Southwest Philly. Heading out from Malcolm X Park, we’ll explore how to link to the new Cobbs Creek Trail extension and Island Ave sidepath. Then we’ll loop back to Local 44 Restaurant & Bar by way of neighborhood streets. We’ll be riding along the Cobbs Creek Trail after sunset, and it will be dark so lights are essential for this ride - preferably lights bright enough to see with, not just be seen. If you need lights, hit up your local bike shop. We’ll also have copies of the WNR Zine for sale/pickup at the ride start and end points.

As usual, we’ll ride according to our How We Ride guide. Please follow these ride norms so everyone’s on the same page, and we keep the ride safe and fun. We’d like to highlight:

Stop at lights. Please, please DO NOT block intersections contrary to the traffic light. Our group can be very large and extended, and holding traffic risks serious conflict. If the light turns red, please stop.

Roll past conflict. Whether it’s angry motorists or unruly pedestrians, please do not engage with conflict and move on in a way that de-escalates the situation.

Finally, a reminder of risks and responsibilities. You don’t need to sign a waiver to join a Wednesday Night Ride, because it’s an entirely voluntary & free group activity. But please keep in mind:

Everyone rides at their own risk.
Every rider is responsible for themselves, their behavior, and their bike.
Keep your bike properly maintained. Here’s a link to a basic bike check.
Cycling has inherent risks–you could crash, fall down, or get hit by a car, and get hurt or even killed–though we try to minimize these risks.
If you have a health condition that could affect your ride or put you at additional risk, consider a) checking in with a doctor, b) letting us or a friend know, c) having a backup plan to get home if riding doesn’t work out.
We always plan to have a sweeper, but can’t rule out that you could get lost, or that your bike could break down and you’ll need to find another way home.

Want to lead a ride in 2026? We’re looking for ride leaders. Let us know if you’re interested! Our only criteria for leading a ride is that you’ve joined us before. You don’t need to have prior group ride lead experience or come up with the whole route on your own, we can help with that!

Thanks for riding! See you Wednesday.

2026-09-30 | WNR Zine Launch!

2026-09-28T00:00:00+00:00

This week we have a special event before the ride: from 6-7p, please join us at Partners and Son (618 S. 6th St) for our zine launch! You can buy the zine there (just five bucks!) or pick up if you pre-ordered - pre-order here until noon on Wednesday. More info about the zine is on the pre-order page.

After the zine launch, we’ll take a ride past many (but by no means all!) of the independent bookstores we’re lucky to have in Philadelphia. Starting outside of Partners and Son at 6th and Kater, we’ll pass through a cluster of bookshops near South St, loop through the Italian Market, Rittenhouse, and Fairmount, and finally make our way over to Fishtown and South Kensington. We’ll end at Punch Buggy Brewing right on the American Street bikeway.

Here’s are the 22 (!) independent bookshops we’ll pass by or near:

Partners and Son
Wooden Shoe Books
Atomic City Comics
Another Corner
Garland of Letters
Mostly Books
Black & Nobel
Brickbat Books
Head House Books
Molly’s Books & Records
Binding Agents
Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room
Whales and Windmills
Iffy Books
Book Corner (next to the Parkway Central Library)
Harriett’s Bookshop
Lot 49 Books
Midsummer Books
Fishtown Books
H&H Books
american grammar
Ulises

As usual, we’ll ride according to our How We Ride guide. Please follow these ride norms so everyone’s on the same page, and we keep the ride safe and fun. We’d like to highlight:

Roll past conflict. Whether it’s angry motorists or unruly pedestrians, please do not engage with conflict and move on in a way that de-escalates the situation.

Everyone rides at their own risk.
Every rider is responsible for themselves, their behavior, and their bike.
Keep your bike properly maintained. Here’s a link to a basic bike check.
Cycling has inherent risks–you could crash, fall down, or get hit by a car, and get hurt or even killed–though we try to minimize these risks.
If you have a health condition that could affect your ride or put you at additional risk, consider a) checking in with a doctor, b) letting us or a friend know, c) having a backup plan to get home if riding doesn’t work out.
We always plan to have a sweeper, but can’t rule out that you could get lost, or that your bike could break down and you’ll need to find another way home.

Thanks for riding! See you Wednesday.

2026-09-16 | South Philly Celebration of Sport

2026-09-13T00:00:00+00:00

South Philadelphia is obviously known for being home to our beloved Eagles, Phillies, 76ers, and Flyers, but it also is home to a variety of spaces where people of all ages and backgrounds in the community come together to play sports.

We’ll ride past various sports facilities and landmarks before ending at South Bowl. In addition to bowling, South Bowl offers bocce courts, shuffleboard, batting cages, video games, and a full menu of food and drinks. There are bars inside and outside near the batting cages.

Our ride will start at our normal time at 7pm on the eastern side of Marconi Plaza, but if you happen to be free earlier, you’re welcome to watch ride leader Peter K’s oldest son on the Central High School Boys Varsity Soccer team play Science Leadership Academy at the South Philadelphia Super Site just a few blocks away at 10th St and Bigler at 5:30pm.

Sports-related landmarks we’ll pass on this ride:

Marconi Plaza
South Philadelphia Super Site
Citizens Bank Park
Saint Monica Recreation Center
Guerin Rec Center
Joey Giardello statue
East Passyunk Rec Center
Dickinson Square basketball courts
Edward O’Malley Sports Complex
South Bowl

Look forward to seeing you Wednesday for a celebration of sport!

As usual, we’ll ride according to our How We Ride guide. Please follow these ride norms so everyone’s on the same page, and we keep the ride safe and fun. We’d like to highlight:

Roll past conflict. Whether it’s angry motorists or unruly pedestrians, please do not engage with conflict and move on in a way that de-escalates the situation.

Everyone rides at their own risk.
Every rider is responsible for themselves, their behavior, and their bike.
Keep your bike properly maintained. Here’s a link to a basic bike check.
Cycling has inherent risks–you could crash, fall down, or get hit by a car, and get hurt or even killed–though we try to minimize these risks.
If you have a health condition that could affect your ride or put you at additional risk, consider a) checking in with a doctor, b) letting us or a friend know, c) having a backup plan to get home if riding doesn’t work out.
We always plan to have a sweeper, but can’t rule out that you could get lost, or that your bike could break down and you’ll need to find another way home.

Thanks for riding! See you Wednesday.

2026-09-02 | Tacony Creek Park + Karaoke

2026-08-30T00:00:00+00:00

This week, we’re thrilled to be riding through Tacony Creek Park for the first time. Starting at Palmer Park in the heart of Fishtown, we’ll take Tulip, Venango and K Streets to the lush, green park surrounding the creek. We’ll be riding in twilight and the parts of the park can get quite dark, so lights are absolutely essential for this ride - preferably lights bright enough to see with, not just to be seen. If you need lights, hit up your local bike shop.

We’ll end at MUTA, a hidden gem off Front St, for Korean BBQ and (for anyone feeling brave) K-pop karaoke. There will be a loosely organized group ride back from MUTA departing at about 10p that will take Olney to 5th to Cambria to the American St bikeway. Another option for getting home from MUTA is by Regional Rail from the nearby Olney Station.

As usual, we’ll ride according to our How We Ride guide. Please follow these ride norms so everyone’s on the same page, and we keep the ride safe and fun. We’d like to highlight:

This route is is more uphill than down, with a couple of moderately steep climbs

Roll past conflict. Whether it’s angry motorists or unruly pedestrians, please do not engage with conflict and move on in a way that de-escalates the situation.

Everyone rides at their own risk.
Every rider is responsible for themselves, their behavior, and their bike.
Keep your bike properly maintained. Here’s a link to a basic bike check.
Cycling has inherent risks–you could crash, fall down, or get hit by a car, and get hurt or even killed–though we try to minimize these risks.
If you have a health condition that could affect your ride or put you at additional risk, consider a) checking in with a doctor, b) letting us or a friend know, c) having a backup plan to get home if riding doesn’t work out.
We always plan to have a sweeper, but can’t rule out that you could get lost, or that your bike could break down and you’ll need to find another way home.

Thanks for riding! See you Wednesday.

2026-08-19 | Philadelphia Cycling Classic Preview Ride

2026-08-18T00:00:00+00:00

The Philadelphia Cycling Classic is returning to Philly after a 10-year hiatus, and this week we’re taking on part of the iconic 14.4-mile race circuit. The elite women’s and men’s fields will tackle Kelly Drive, the legendary Manayunk Wall, and Lemon Hill, and for our ride, we’ll head up the Schuylkill River Trail and parallel portions of the course before rolling into Manayunk. We’ll take on a block of the famous Manayunk Wall and regroup at Pretzel Park for a well-earned break. Then we’ll cruise back toward East Falls and finish at Wissahickon Brewing Company. This is a great chance to experience a piece of the course before the pros do.

As usual, we’ll ride according to our How We Ride guide. Please follow these ride norms so everyone’s on the same page, and we keep the ride safe and fun. We’d like to highlight:

Take care when navigating Logan Square and Eakins Oval - watch for vehicles and follow traffic lights as we roll through onto the SRT.

Roll past conflict. Whether it’s angry motorists or unruly pedestrians, please do not engage with conflict and move on in a way that de-escalates the situation.

Everyone rides at their own risk.
Every rider is responsible for themselves, their behavior, and their bike.
Keep your bike properly maintained. Here’s a link to a basic bike check.
Cycling has inherent risks–you could crash, fall down, or get hit by a car, and get hurt or even killed–though we try to minimize these risks.
If you have a health condition that could affect your ride or put you at additional risk, consider a) checking in with a doctor, b) letting us or a friend know, c) having a backup plan to get home if riding doesn’t work out.
We always plan to have a sweeper, but can’t rule out that you could get lost, or that your bike could break down and you’ll need to find another way home.

Thanks for riding! See you Wednesday.

2026-08-05 | Water Ice Ride

2026-08-04T00:00:00+00:00

The dog days of summer are here, and what better way to stay cool than with some water ice. For this edition of Wednesday Night Rides, Dan will lead us as we roll past (or near) at least 9 water ice locations in South Philly before ending at Parks on Tap at Wharton Square. We’ll pass:

Pops Homemade Italian Ice - 1337 Oregon Ave
John’s Water Ice - 2700 S 7th St
Jimmy’s Water Ice - 2251 S Front
Chuck’s Water Ice - 2065 Snyder St
D’Emilio’s Old World Ice Treats - 1928 Passyunk Ave
Sunny Scoop - 1812 Passyunk Ave
Favors & Flavors - 1800 Passyunk Ave
Milk Jawn - 1439 Passyunk Ave
South Philly Ice - 1309 S 9th St

See you on Wednesday on a bike!

As usual, we’ll ride according to our How We Ride guide. Please follow these ride norms so everyone’s on the same page, and we keep the ride safe and fun. We’d like to highlight:

Roll past conflict. Whether it’s angry motorists or unruly pedestrians, please do not engage with conflict and move on in a way that de-escalates the situation.

Everyone rides at their own risk.
Every rider is responsible for themselves, their behavior, and their bike.
Keep your bike properly maintained. Here’s a link to a basic bike check.
Cycling has inherent risks–you could crash, fall down, or get hit by a car, and get hurt or even killed–though we try to minimize these risks.
If you have a health condition that could affect your ride or put you at additional risk, consider a) checking in with a doctor, b) letting us or a friend know, c) having a backup plan to get home if riding doesn’t work out.
We always plan to have a sweeper, but can’t rule out that you could get lost, or that your bike could break down and you’ll need to find another way home.

Thanks for riding! See you Wednesday.

2026-07-22 | Return of Camden + DOOM

2026-07-20T00:00:00+00:00

Ride leader Jessica G returns with a reprise of her epic 2025 ride. She’ll take us over the Ben Franklin Bridge to Cramer Hill Waterfront Park in Camden, NJ. We can catch our breath and some sweet views of Philly and the Delaware River before we head back over the bridge.

Once back on the Philly side, we’ll take our iron steeds underground through the 5th Street tunnel north before ending at Doom. The folks at Doom are excited for our return, and hope we roll in without a deluge this year! It was chilly at Doom last year…may have been cuz we were soaked, but you might want to bring a layer.

NOTE: This is our first ride in New Jersey since the passage of S4834/A6235, which created new regulations for e-bikes in New Jersey. The law came into effect on July 19, 2026. New Jersey now requires standard e-bike riders to hold a license, register their bikes, and (in some cases) carry mandatory liability insurance. More information is available on the NJ Bike & Walk Coalition website. If you ride an e-bike, please familiarize yourself with the law, use your judgment.

As usual, we’ll ride according to our How We Ride guide. Please follow these ride norms so everyone’s on the same page, and we keep the ride safe and fun. We’d like to highlight:

Roll past conflict. Whether it’s angry motorists or unruly pedestrians, please do not engage with conflict and move on in a way that de-escalates the situation.

Everyone rides at their own risk.
Every rider is responsible for themselves, their behavior, and their bike.
Keep your bike properly maintained. Here’s a link to a basic bike check.
Cycling has inherent risks–you could crash, fall down, or get hit by a car, and get hurt or even killed–though we try to minimize these risks.
If you have a health condition that could affect your ride or put you at additional risk, consider a) checking in with a doctor, b) letting us or a friend know, c) having a backup plan to get home if riding doesn’t work out.
We always plan to have a sweeper, but can’t rule out that you could get lost, or that your bike could break down and you’ll need to find another way home.

Thanks for riding! See you Wednesday.

2026-07-08 | District 1 New Bike Lanes!

2026-07-06T00:00:00+00:00

This week we continue our ongoing series of city council district bike tours, in collaboration with our friends at Philly Bike Action. Caleb will lead a ride showcasing updates to bike lanes along Lower Moyamensing, Washington, 13th, Vine, Race, 3rd, and Market, all developed since our last District 1 ride. We’ll start at Mifflin Square Park in South Philly and end at Old City Beer Garden.

As usual, we’ll ride according to our How We Ride guide. Please follow these ride norms so everyone’s on the same page, and we keep the ride safe and fun. We’d like to highlight:

Roll past conflict. Whether it’s angry motorists or unruly pedestrians, please do not engage with conflict and move on in a way that de-escalates the situation.

Everyone rides at their own risk.
Every rider is responsible for themselves, their behavior, and their bike.
Keep your bike properly maintained. Here’s a link to a basic bike check.
Cycling has inherent risks–you could crash, fall down, or get hit by a car, and get hurt or even killed–though we try to minimize these risks.
If you have a health condition that could affect your ride or put you at additional risk, consider a) checking in with a doctor, b) letting us or a friend know, c) having a backup plan to get home if riding doesn’t work out.
We always plan to have a sweeper, but can’t rule out that you could get lost, or that your bike could break down and you’ll need to find another way home.

Thanks for riding! See you Wednesday.

2026-06-24 | Happy 5th Anniversary to WNR!

2026-06-22T00:00:00+00:00

Wednesday Night Rides is turning 5 years old, and what started as a small group ride has grown into an incredible community of riders and friends from across the city. We’ll celebrate by taking a nice ride through FDR Park and the Navy Yard before making our way to Second District Brewing in South Philly. Whether you’re a regular or it’s your first time riding with us, come out and be part of the ride that keeps Philly rolling.

As usual, we’ll ride according to our How We Ride guide. Please follow these ride norms so everyone’s on the same page, and we keep the ride safe and fun. We’d like to highlight:

Roll past conflict. Whether it’s angry motorists or unruly pedestrians, please do not engage with conflict and move on in a way that de-escalates the situation.

Everyone rides at their own risk.
Every rider is responsible for themselves, their behavior, and their bike.
Keep your bike properly maintained. Here’s a link to a basic bike check.
Cycling has inherent risks–you could crash, fall down, or get hit by a car, and get hurt or even killed–though we try to minimize these risks.
If you have a health condition that could affect your ride or put you at additional risk, consider a) checking in with a doctor, b) letting us or a friend know, c) having a backup plan to get home if riding doesn’t work out.
We always plan to have a sweeper, but can’t rule out that you could get lost, or that your bike could break down and you’ll need to find another way home.

Thanks for riding! See you Wednesday.

2026-05-13 | Bicycle infrastructure highlights tour

2026-05-10T00:00:00+00:00

Long-time WNR riders and faithful volunteers, Dan Powers and Jacob Elliott, will take us on a tour riding through and by new infrastructure like the Old City Market Street project, Walnut Street bus/bike lanes, the cable stay bridge on the recently opened Schuykill River Trail extension, and the soon-to-open swing bridge that will connect the SRT to Bartram’s Garden!

Dan and Jacob are members of the Bicycle Employee Resource Group (BERG, for short), an employee affinity and resource group to connect and encourage employees of the City of Philadelphia to bike to work and beyond. Dan is a city planner with the planning commission who works on trail planning and Jacob is a planner/engineer with OTIS working on planning and designing bike and transit facilities in the city.

We’re expecting some special guests on this ride–Doug Gordon and Sarah Goodyear–co-hosts of The War on Cars podcast and author of the recently released book Life After Cars. They’re in town for a book event hosted by our friends at 5th Square Advocacy and Philly Bike Action on Thurs, May 14th, 7pm at Resurrection Philadelphia. Tickets are still available for this amazing event where they’ll discuss the negative affects of car-dependency and how we can make Philadelphia a more people-centered city.

Special ride notes:

Another cool city project that was recently completed but we couldn’t squeeze into the route is the renovated Thomas Paine Plaza outside the Municipal Services Building. If/when you have time, go check it out!
We’ll re-group for a midpoint photo just south of Grays Ferry Ave in Grays Ferry Crescent, with a view of the new swing bridge.
There’s currently a chance of rain forecasted for Wednesday night. Our practice is not to make a call on weather until the day-of to give Mother Nature every possible opportunity to change her mind. We’ll cancel any ride by 3pm that day. If you don’t hear otherwise, the ride is on!

As usual, we’ll ride according to our How We Ride guide. Please follow these ride norms so everyone’s on the same page, and we keep the ride safe and fun. We’d like to highlight:

Roll past conflict. Whether it’s angry motorists or unruly pedestrians, please do not engage with conflict and move on in a way that de-escalates the situation.

Everyone rides at their own risk.
Every rider is responsible for themselves, their behavior, and their bike.
Keep your bike properly maintained. Here’s a link to a basic bike check.
Cycling has inherent risks–you could crash, fall down, or get hit by a car, and get hurt or even killed–though we try to minimize these risks.
If you have a health condition that could affect your ride or put you at additional risk, consider a) checking in with a doctor, b) letting us or a friend know, c) having a backup plan to get home if riding doesn’t work out.
We always plan to have a sweeper, but can’t rule out that you could get lost, or that your bike could break down and you’ll need to find another way home.

Thanks for riding! See you Wednesday.