Guided Bike Tour of East Fairmount Park

Join Fairmount Park Conservancy and experienced bike tour guide Graham Robb on an eight-mile, all-levels bike ride of East Fairmount Park on November 12 from 1:30–4:30 PM.

The guided bike ride will highlight the history, hidden gems, and stories of interesting places in East Fairmount Park. Stops include the birthplace of the park at Lemon Hill Mansion, Sedgeley Porter’s House — a little-known or seen house that is the first Gothic Revival building in the US, Hatfield House, John Coltrane’s House, the Discovery Center, Smith Playhouse, as well as many of the park’s beautiful colonial-era mansions. Graham is a great storyteller who will share many perspectives on our park’s past, present, and future.

INSTRUCTOR BIO: Graham Robb is a “retired” lawyer who enjoys biking, hiking, gardening and learning anything new.  When he is not officiating high school sports he volunteers much of his time with various organizations including Habitat for Humanity for whom he leads teams of volunteers on builds around the world.  A lifelong resident of Philadelphia, Graham is something of a history and genealogy buff – having traced his Philadelphia ancestors back to the 1680s – and loves sharing past and current stories about his favorite city.

TICKET PRICES: Pay what you can – $10, $15, or $20
[ Not sure what to pay? Please refer to this Sliding Scale Pricing FAQ for additional info. ]

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

• The bike ride is roughly eight miles (moderate exertion). Most of the ride is flat; however, there will be some hilly sections.
• This event is BYOB….as in, bring your own bike (and helmet!). No bike? No problem! We’re meeting right next to Wheel Fun Bike Rentals.
• Everyone must wear a helmet at all times. Riders who arrive without a helmet will not be permitted to join the tour.
• Appropriate for adults and families with children ages 14 and up. Minors must be registered and accompanied by an adult.
• Please dress according to weather conditions.
• Please bring your own water and snack (drinking water is not available in the park).
• There are bathrooms available at the start/end of the tour but not in the middle so please plan accordingly.
• The bike ride visits the places listed above but does not go inside.

PARKING: There is plenty of free parking in the Lloyd Hall lot at Waterworks Drive. Additional limited parking can be found in the Lemon Hill area / Sedgley Drive, and in the small lot at the far end of Boathouse Row. As always, DO NOT leave valuables in your car. If traveling by public transit, the nearest station is at Art Museum Drive (a 1/4 mile walk from the start). The nearest Indego bike station is at the art museum (a 1/4 mile bike from the start).

QUESTIONS? Please reach out to [email protected]