New York City-to-Philadelphia Greenway Ride: Frequently Asked Questions

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NOTE: PREMIUM REGISTRATION IS CLOSED AS OF JULY 28, 2021

1. How can I register for the New York City-to-Philadelphia Ride? More than 3,000 riders have expressed interest in the event, and we encourage early registration so you don’t miss out! Online registration is now open, which includes a new, virtual option.

2. What can I expect on the ride? We plan to host hundreds of riders from the region and beyond for the 125-mile, 2-day event. After departing Liberty State Park, the supported ride aims to be a safe, fun experience for all participants with an overnight stop in Princeton, New Jersey, and an end-of-ride celebration in Philadelphia. This event is a recreational ride. We urge cyclists to ride at a conservative pace and be considerate of others, especially on stretches of the Greenway in New Jersey that allow for no more than two cyclists abreast.

3. What is the route? Following the East Coast Greenway to Philadelphia, we'll ride for nearly half the route on trails and paths separated from traffic after starting at Liberty State Park in Jersey City. These greenway sections include paved trails such as the lovely Middlesex Greenway in Metuchen, New Jersey, as well as unpaved trails such as the D&R Canal Towpath. On-road sections include a mix of suburban, urban and commercial corridors. Cyclists will be supported with escorts in busier sections, police vehicles at major intersections and SAG services. Prior to the ride, we will provide custom GPX files, cue sheets and ways to download the 2-day route for each participant. Click here for a description of the route and a map.

4. What type of bike and/or tires should I use on the ride?  The route for the New York City-to-Philadelphia Greenway Ride can be completed with a hybrid, gravel or road bike. We recommend a hybrid, gravel or other bike with thicker tires due to the mixed terrain of the ride route. If riding a road bike, we recommend a minimum tire width of 28mm. Route conditions will vary based on weather and can be a little slower going right after or during rain with muddy patches of trail. A bike inspection sheet is included in the Pre-Ride Guide.

5. How much does the ride cost? The registration fee for the New York City-to-Philadelphia Greenway Ride is $150 for standard registration, $250 for premium registration and $100 for virtual rider registration. Following registration, each rider will make a commitment to raise $600 (standard), $1,200 (premium) or $400 (virtual) in support of the East Coast Greenway Alliance prior to the August 2021 ride. Our team will offer tools and tips for successful fundraising following registration. Riders who register and begin fundraising early will be most successful.

Note: By signing up for the New York City-to-Philadelphia Ride, you are committing to fundraise either $600, $1,200 or $400* for the East Coast Greenway Alliance. If you do not meet the minimum requirement for either standard or premium registration, your credit card will be charged the balance on August 15, 2021. Fifty (50) percent of your fundraising must be completed by July 9, 2021. 

*Fundraising commitments for participants who registered in 2019 or 2020 remain unchanged: $500 (standard) or $1,000 (premium) depending on their registration level.

6. What are the differences between standard and premium registration? Premium registrants will have overnight hotel accommodations included in Princeton, as well as access to a post-ride shuttle and post-ride bike transportation at no additional charge. Space permitting, standard registrants will have access to an overnight campsite in Princeton. Standard registrants may opt to secure their own accommodations in one of four hotels or elsewhere in Princeton.

Please note: As of February 16, 2021, our reserved campsite in Princeton is FULL. Email nyctophilly@greenway.org with questions. Click here for more lodging information.

Both levels of registration will receive an exclusive event T-shirt, peer-to-peer fundraising support, gear transportation, food and drink at official ride rest stops, including a light breakfast on days one and two, lunch on day one and opening and closing ceremony festivities.

7. What is included in the virtual option of the ride? Participants opting for the virtual ride can complete their 125 miles anywhere! Virtual riders will have access to live streamed events, special East Coast Greenway digital content, an event T-shirt, peer-to-peer fundraising support and more. 

If prevailing guidelines dictate that the entire ride must be shifted to a virtual-only event during the August 28 weekend due to COVID-19-related health and safety precautions, our team is committed to creating a unique and top-notch experience, featuring the perks outlined above and much more. We’ll continue to roll out additional perks throughout the training season. 

8. What will my fundraising efforts support? With a special focus on improving the route between New York City and Philadelphia, proceeds from this ride will benefit the nonprofit East Coast Greenway Alliance, which is developing a 3,000-mile multi-use trail from Maine to Florida. More than 1,000 miles (35 percent) of our route is on protected greenways, and our organization is working daily to complete the route as close to 2030 as possible. Our hope is that this event will become an annual celebration of the East Coast Greenway that increases awareness of our route, celebrates the progress in the Tri-State region and highlights the importance of protected trails and the additional resources needed to complete the East Coast Greenway. Events like this support our goals of health, sustainability and economic development.

9. Is there a timeline for my fundraising? Yes. All of your fundraising commitment must be completed by August 15, 2021, or your credit card will be charged the balance at that time. Fifty (50) percent of your fundraising must be completed by July 9, 2021. Please email Cheryl Ann Welsh with any fundraising questions or if you would like assistance with your fundraising. 

10. I don’t want to ask others to support my ride financially. Can I cover my entire fundraising commitment at the time of registration? Yes. You may make a donation to the East Coast Greenway Alliance via the registration platform at the time of sign up or before the event. 

11. How will riders get to the starting location? The ride will start at Liberty State Park in Jersey City. Details for traveling to the ride start from New York City, New Jersey and Philadelphia are included in the Pre-Ride Guide. 

12. What lodging options are available prior to the start of the ride and at the midway point of the ride in Princeton? A block of rooms with a discounted rate is available at two hotels in Jersey City on Friday, August 27. Details and booking information can be found in the Pre-Ride Guide.

STANDARD RIDERS: You are responsible for securing your lodging in Princeton on Saturday, August 28. If you have not confirmed a camping space (our campsite is now full), a list of hotels with a discounted block of rooms reserved for standard riders can be found in the Pre-Ride Guide.

Information on camping and reserving your campsite will be available soon. Please note: As of February 16, 2021, our reserved campsite in Princeton is FULL. Email nyctophilly@greenway.org with questions. 

Riders who register at the premium level will receive a hotel room at no additional cost. Those who raise at least $2,000 in support of the East Coast Greenway can stay at the Nassau Inn (or similar-level lodging) at no additional cost. Additional lodging information is available in the Pre-Ride Guide

13. I want to camp in Princeton. Do I need to supply my own tent?  Yes. Riders interested in utilizing a campsite in Princeton will be required to supply their own tent, which will be transported along with your baggage. Tents must occupy a footprint no larger than 8-feet by 8-feet. If you have a special request about utilizing a larger tent to accommodate a larger group of riders, please contact our staff at nyctophilly@greenway.org.

Please note: As of February 16, 2021, our reserved campsite in Princeton is FULL. Email nyctophilly@greenway.org with questions. 

14. I want to return to New York City after biking to Philadelphia. How do I do that?  There are a number of transportation options between New York City and Philadelphia. Interested riders may purchase tickets on a post-ride shuttle back to New York City from Philadelphia, as well as a post-ride bike shipping. Additional details and the link to register for the post-ride shuttle and bike shipping can be found in the Pre-Ride Guide. Details on a pre-ride shuttle and bike shipping from Philadelphia to Liberty State Park are also available in the Pre-Ride Guide.

15. Can I rent a bike for the ride? Yes! Unlimited Biking will provide convenient bike rental services for the event beginning at $99. You may pick up your bike at the start and drop it off in Philadelphia at the conclusion of the ride with no need to transport your bike. Visit unlimitedbiking.com for more details and to rent your bike. 

16. What baggage service will be available? One-way baggage service from New York City to Philadelphia will be provided by event organizers for all ride participants. Event production company Global Impact Productions will load, transport and unload bags for all riders. At the end of day one in Princeton, baggage will be available for pick up at the ride finish. Specific details will be provided closer to the ride.

17. What snacks and meals are provided? All riders will have access to snacks and drinks at supported rest stops. Lunch on day one and a light breakfast on day one and two also will be provided. The post-ride celebration will feature heavy hors d'oeuvres for all riders.

18. What should I bring with me on the ride? Even though the New York City-to-Philadelphia is a supported event, participants should prepare to be minimally self-sufficient. Suggested items to carry on the ride include:

19. Are tandem bikes and/or electric bikes permitted? Yes. Tandem bikes are permitted for the New York City-to-Philadelphia Greenway Ride. However, each rider must register as an individual at either the standard or premium rate.  Class 1 and class 2 electric bikes are permitted with a recommended speed limit of 15 mph. 

20. Is there a minimum age for ride participants? Yes. All ride participants must be at least 14 years of age on day one of the ride. Riders ages 14-17 must be accompanied by an adult parent or guardian at all times during the ride. No children riding in bike trailers will be permitted for this event. 

21. What is the weather policy for the ride? There is no rain date for the New York City-to-Philadelphia Greenway Ride. In the case of severe weather, the East Coast Greenway Alliance reserves the right to cancel/alter/modify the ride for safety concerns. Ride fees are non-refundable and non-transferable to other riders. In the unlikely case that we have to cancel, cyclists may claim their registration fee as a tax-deductible donation to the nonprofit East Coast Greenway Alliance. If the 2021 event is canceled due to inclement weather, registrants will get access to virtual ride activities.

21. What safety precautions are you taking around COVID-19? Learn what we're doing to help protect you and those around you. Click here to learn what precautions will be taken to create a COVID-safe event. In addition, all participants must provide proof of COVID vaccination with a final shot administered by July 26, 2021. 

22. I have more questions. Who can I talk to? Global Impact Productions staff members are available to answer your New York City-to-Philadelphia Greenway Ride questions via email at nyctophilly@greenway.org and via phone at (212) 989-1111 x 102.

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