The 2022 PEC Environment Ride was a great success!
We had 24 riders and crew members join us from September 9th-11th on a beautiful ride starting in Wilmington, Delaware and crossing the state border into Chester County, PA. On Friday, we enjoyed a scenic ride through rolling farmland, stopping for lunch at Mt. Cuba Horticultural Center, where some of our riders took a tour through the gardens while others headed onwards towards West Chester. After lunch, riders had the choice to continue on paved roads or opt for a gravel route. Most stayed on the road, while a few with properly equipped bikes opted for the gravel. Day 1 totaled a hilly 48 miles, and we ended the night with burritos and tacos at a local Mexican spot in downtown West Chester.
We couldn’t have asked for better weather for Day 2! After fueling up at the hotel, our riders hit the road to begin yet another hilly route. There was the option to do a full century ride (100 miles), or a slightly shorter route of 62 miles. We had a mid-morning stop at the historic Warwick Furnace, where Bill Gladden, Executive Director of the French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, educated us on the conservation work happening in the area. We ate lunch in the quaint town of Saint Peters, where we sat on a patio overlooking the French Creek.
It was a great experience to ride alongside such a fun and welcoming group of people.
Our final day of riding came with pouring rain and cooler temperatures. With a last minute route change to shorten the ride, riders departed the hotel and traveled east back towards Philadelphia, stopping for a much-needed warm oasis at one of rider’s houses to eat lunch and dry off. The ride convened at Lloyd Hall, where the group got to celebrate their accomplishments – over 150 miles in three days!
After months of planning and preparation, it was exciting for me to be able to participate in the ride this year. As more of a recreational rider, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to keep up with the group, but I surprised myself by completing two of the three days (including a minor detour on the rainy day that added a few more miles to my ride!). Riding in a larger group was something new for me and while it does take some getting used to, it’s motivating and encouraging to ride with others. It was a great experience to ride alongside such a fun and welcoming group of people.
In addition to being an unforgettable experience for riders, the 12th annual ride brought in over $34,000 for PEC! The donation page will be open until the end of the month, so it’s not too late to make a contribution. This ride would not be possible without the work of our planning committee, and especially of our committee chair, Gerry Auman, who meticulously crafts each day’s route with both safety and scenery in mind. Thanks to everyone who participated!