You don't have to do that riding in lower Roxborough anymore. The Manayunk Tow Path behind Main St. was resurfced with limestone a few years ago. It's easily doable on skinny tires. You might want to avoi it after heavy rain as you bike can get messy.

Also, W. River Dr. (now called MLK Dr. is closed to cars on weekends starting the first full weekend in April and ending the last full weekend in October between 6 or 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., alhtough the 1.25 miles between the Museum and Sweet Briar Dr. opens for cars at noon.

If you do take MLK and cross the Falls Bridge, I recommend taking either tha path along Kelly Dr. (not the road) or staying straight to the gas station and making a left on Ridge to Main St. just past the water fall and the transportation center. Drivers fly on the portion of Kelly above the Falls Bridge, and the edge of the roadway leading into the city is banged up.