PA: Valley Forge to Reading

[jessefive]

Somehow I never realized that there were regional forums in here....

Has anyone ridden from Valley Forge/Phoenixville up to Reading? I'm going to be giving it a try this weekend. It seems that route 724 is the best option, although, I've found info here (http://www.schuylkillriver.org/Biking.aspx) about some bike paths. Anyone have any experience with this ride?

[maalea]

I don't know if this is too late of what but my limited knowledge is that Lower Perk Valley trail is paved from VF to just past Oaks, then it's hardpack at least until Schwenksville thats my exit. The hard pack is well maintained and it's a nice wooded ride along the Perkiomen creek.

[jessefive]

Thanks for the reply! I ended up riding up towards Collegeville instead. I was on the Perk trail for part of the way. It was packed nice, but still too loose for my 28c tires. If its paved to Oaks, then I may try it out next time.

[MTBLover]

Thanks for the reply! I ended up riding up towards Collegeville instead. I was on the Perk trail for part of the way. It was packed nice, but still too loose for my 28c tires. If its paved to Oaks, then I may try it out next time.

Hi Jesse- how do you think a 'cross bike with 32c's would handle the packed gravel on this trail? For reference, my tires do well on the Manyunk canal trail (also packed in some places, boardwalk in others), if you're familiar...

[maalea]

Yea, that's the way I feel about it. Too loose for me. It turns paved between Collegeville and Oaks, closer to Oaks. I live just west of Collegeville. I ride the roads to Oaks and jump on there. Saturday, I rode into Manayunk and back on the trail. It went really well. 58 mile round trip. The trail is mostly flat but some real rollers once you get away from the creek.

MTN, I think you should be OK. I was thinking about getting a 'cross bike this fall so I could ride further north on the trail to Green Lane Park. There is a LBS in Schwenksville, the trail is right out their back door. It's called Tailwind bikes, give them a call.

[jessefive]

For the stretch I was on, 32's would be no problem. There were a couple really loose patches, but it should be fine with a larger tire. I was able to manage with 28s, but I wouldn't want to ride too far like that.