Route courtesy of Ted Jones (aka Philly Ted)
Presenting a gravel ride in the Brandywine Valley. The ride is adapted from the Brandywine Valley Roubaix, a gravel ride/fondo held normally in the spring. This version starts and finishes in West Chester, PA, so that post-ride brews and snacks are available in town. On the weekends parking is free in the lot. To get to the lot, use 301 W Gay St, West Chester, PA.
We don’t have enough gravel near Philly to do a complete gravel ride, so this ride is truly a mixed surface ride, anything from smooth roads, to jeep trail, to gravel. It is more smooth road than the other surfaces, but that only makes the crunchy stuff that much more fun.
Disclaimer: This route is legal; there is nothing on the course marked “no bikes” or “no trespassing”. It borders on a couple open space preserves that do not allow mountain biking, but the course does not go into these areas. “respect others”.
ALSO: The start/finish lot is frequently used by West Chester Cycling Club for group rides. PLEASE follow the GTD motto and obey all traffic regulations, including stopping at stop signs.
About the ride: The ride starts from West Chester, heading down towards Marshalton and around Stroud Preserve. Then out to Embreeville and pass Cheslen preserve.
There is a potential water/beer/fish-n-chips stop around mile 27, at The Whip Tavern. This is about the only aid station for miles, and in the warmer weather, there is a bike-specific water spigot outside.
Recently a local bike club installed a pump/repair station. The owner, KC, is a cyclist and active member of West Chester Cycling Club, and a great sponsor for the club.
There is a Turkey Hill mini market about 7 miles west of The Whip, that is about the only other aid station in the area.
After The Whip, you’re on your way home. Some climbing to get to Chapel Rd, which pays off with a fun little descent on tar-chip road. Not gravel but not smooth. A flatter option would be to take 841 East, Chatham Rd, from the whip, but as of summer 2020 the bridge is under construction and not passable (it may open soon).
On the way back, you’ll pass Northbrook Canoe around mile 38. If someone is bonking, an option is Northbook Market; turn right after passing Northbrook Canoe and climb Northbrook Rd to get to Northbrook Marketplace. Otherwise it’s a little less than 10 miles to get back to the lot.
POST RIDE: A few options in town: On Gay St, there is Iron Hill Brewery, a semi-chain with food and good brews. They are sponsors of West Chester Cycling Club and they’re used to MAMILs in the bar on the weekends.
On Market St, Sterling Pig Brew Pub. Their own beers as well, I usually go with Snuffler IPA.
A new brewpub is opening (maybe fall 2020?) right off the lot. Wrong Crowd Brewing, my buddy Dan is one of the owners and he is a complete beer geek. He’s been brewing his own for a few years now and is going legit with the pub.
Route Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34248944
