soul_rider

I will be attending a conference in downtown Philadelphia, my first time there, the last week of June. I would like to know of any good, local bike shops where I could rent a bike for some afternoon and evening sight-seeing. I might even be tempted to skip a day of meetings and ride all day. Any suggestions?

chimpo

You may want to try Trophy Bikes

https://www.trophybikes.com/rentals.html

nbseer

When you get to Philly, the perfect ride is past the Art Museum, up along Kelly Drive, along the Schuylkill River. Then, cross over the Strawberry Mansion Bridge and back to the city along West River Drive (now Martin Luther King Drive).

If you're feeling more ambitious and weather is good, head up along Forbidden Drive and Wissahickon Creek in Fairmount Park. You can probably get a map from the LBS.

lrzipris

As far as I know, Philadelphia isn't a great town for rentals, certainly not for decent road bikes. If you do get your hands on a road bike, you might look up the Bike Club of Philadelphia for a club ride: https://www.phillybikeclub.org/current.html

soul_rider

Thanks for the replies. I'm not sure about renting a 'folding' bike at Trophy Bikes, although they look like a great shop. I have got to ride while I am there. Outside of bringing my own bike, anyone have any other rec's?

lrzipris

In the general Center City area, where your conference is (at the convention center no doubt), the only other possibility I can think of is Breakaway Bikes, one store on Market near 3rd, and the other on Chestnut Street near 21st St. Bicycle Therapy (South St. & 24th) is a top-notch store but I don't believe it has rentals. The only other place that rents hybrids, I think (Freeman's, in Frenchtown, NJ) is way, way, far away, out of town. Sorry I can't be of more help.

soul_rider

Yes, I am staying about a mile from the Conv. Center. Its a pretty good walk to Trophy Bikes from where I am staying, but it looks like a good enough shop to be worth it. Bicycle Therapy also looks close enough to walk to. From the looks of their website, however, no rentals.

BTW, thanks for all the replies. hmmmm.....I wonder if I should pack some bolt cutters and 'borrow' a bike for the week. Or, maybe, i could buy a bike there and have it shipped home.?.?.?.?.?

KirkeIsWaiting

Yes.
Bolt cutters will certainly prove to be an interesting accessory as you make your way through security.

but seriously....contact the concierge at your hotel. I travel frequently and don't hesitate to make even the most bizarre requests of them.
They are always extraordinarily accomodating. You might be surprised. If not, the bellman will surely be able to help you, if not rent you his bike.

JugglerDave

You could take the #21 bus right down Walnut Street ($2 cash or pre-buy 2 tokens for $2.60) and it will take you right to Trophy Bikes.

I don't know if it's still open because their web site isn't working for me, but Drive Sports has (had?) a store at 2600 Pennsylvania Ave (near the Art museum) and operates (operated?) a rental kiosk at Boathouse Row.

Take a look at the bike maps for a general sense of the area.

Philadelphia has tons of small streets to tour, if you don't mind stopping every block to cross a numbered
street. Rittenhouse/Fitler areas (Walnut St. south to Bainbridge St, 15th st west to the river). Also nice is South Philadelphia / Bella Vista, between Broad St and Front Street, south of South Street.

islenska

i forget the name of the shop, but right around the corner from the reading terminal mkt. (which is across the street from convention center) is a small lbs. they are a decent shop, and really nice, but not sure if they rent. just head towards chinatown and it will be on your right.

lrzipris

You are probably referrring to Bike Line, 10th and Arch, part of a chain or franchise operation in the region (https://www.bikeline.com/locations/stores/arch.html), and the quality varies store to store. I have never heard that any Bike Line shop rents, however. The next closest shop to the convention center is the Breakaway on Market between 3d and 4th Sts. Personally, I would contact either Breakaway shop before Trophy. Another long-shot is Via Bicycle, 606 S 9th St (https://www.bikeville.com), a strange place that might be worth contacting.