Neil_B

OK, I'll lead.

indyfabz

It's called Garden fresh, and it's about 5 blocks from my house.

But if you are going to ride all that way for cheesesteaks, you might as well go the extra distance to John's Roast Pork at Snyder and Wacaccoe near Delaware Ave. Get there early for the seeded rolls. Not only are the cheesestaeks excellent, the roast pork with spinach and sharp provolone is to die for. And the outdoor seating next to the chemical plant provides the perfect ambiance. The famous Tony Luke's is about a mile away on Oregon Ave. I hear the steak with cream cheese and tomatoes is very good.

BigUgly

Well, if you are going to go down to Snyder & Wacaccoe and Tony Luke's you might as well go all the way to Nick's Cafe at 20th and Jackson. Best Roast Beef sandwhich you will ever have. Tell them to give you a Combo and throw it overboard. It will melt in your mouth.

zoste

Mmmmm...last month I flew into PHL from Tucson. My fiancee picked me up at the airport and on the way home the first stop was Nick's...nothing like it anywhere!

Sayre Kulp 

Wow. We've got a lot of good suggestions here!

stevel610 

I'm getting hungry.........

stevel610 

It is this Saturday. Who is going and where on the route are you planning on meeting us?

Sayre Kulp 

Bluetrane and I were talking about this on our ride yesterday... He is available both this Saturday, as well as the 18th. I am only available on the 18th. Bluetrane seemed to like the idea of doing the ride BOTH weekends and maxing out his efforts. I applaud this decision and I hope that if you guys decide to ride this coming Saturday, that maybe a few will also want to ride with me on the 18th as well.

Bluetrane2028

As far as I knew it, the "plan" was to meet at Mont Clare and follow the SRT into Philly about 25 miles, get some food and ride 25 miles back.

If this is the case, I can meet at Mont Clare basically whenever the group wants to go, I just have to leave enough time to ride the 25 miles to get there first. When we have a solid idea of when and where and who, for sure, I'll PM my contact info to group leader in case I'm late or something.

That day my fiancee is having her bachelorette party, so I'll be free to do whatever I want, and to bang out another century sounds like the win. If anyone wants to join me for the full 100, send me a message and I'll give you my address. It would be great to have at least one riding partner for the whole trip, but I understand totally if I have to go it alone.

And, so long as the 18th remains open, I will ride then also.

jeneralist 

I will be busy on both dates suggested: on the 4th I'll be on the GAP; on the 18th, I'll be working. But I'll be working in Philly, so there's a chance I might be able to link up with you all of at least a little while.

guybierhaus

Someone pick a start time from Mont Clare. I think I can make this Saturday. Not really doing anything else. Since I don't feel I have my riding legs for this year, I'll meet up at Betzwood trail head and save a few miles.

Bluetrane2028

10 am?

Neil_B

Works for me. I'm debating riding from my home. That's 72 miles instead of 50. Bluetrane2028, send me your route, please, since we might arrange to meet for it.

KonAaron Snake 

If you gentlemen wouldn't mind a suggestion from a first time poster to this section, your route doesn't go that far from THE best cheese steak place in the city (Delassandros in Roxborough). The down side is you'll have a few hills getting there. It's no more than a mile and half off the route when you hit the Wissahickon transportation center.

I lived in Fairmount for a couple of years...there are not any especially good cheese steaks I've found in that neighborhood. There's a pizza place called Fairmount Grill at 20th and Fairmount that makes a passable cheese steak.

Johns and Tony Lukes are both good...I don't think either place completely deserves it's rep personally...and both are about 4 miles from the trip terminus (Art Museum) and will take you through city streets, which can take some getting used to if you're not familiar with them. Also...Johns has very funny hours...you'll have to check ahead of time to make sure they're open.

Also, I'd be interested in the 18th ride if you folks don't mind newbies.

Bluetrane2028

Hills aren't a problem and newbies are always welcome.

Haven't been to Delassandros, sounds like a great suggestion.

indyfabz

It certainly is. I just drove by the place last Saturday and could smell the aroma with the windows rolled up and the A.C. on. Made me want to stop. Haven't been there in more than a decade. Glad to hear they are still making great steaks.

Fairmount Piizza has gone downhill. I think it was purchased. The quality, never great to begin with, has really suffered the last few years.

KonAaron Snake 

I agree, but the sad thing is that still makes it one of the better spots there. Fairmount is seriously lacking in good food options.

Bluetrane2028

So now I'm seriously torn. I just got offered full catered pitbox tickets to go see the drag races in Indianapolis this weekend...

I don't know when I'll have any sort of a shot at doing something like that again, let alone at a place like Indy. If you haven't figured it out yet I'm a humongous motorsports dork, and not just because I'm fat.

I really want to ride another century, but I've had this awesome opportunity come up and I just dont think I can say no.

zoste

That's a no-brainer Blue; the SRT and cheesesteaks will be there every week (every DAY, actually). The opportunity to get those types of seats just doesn't come along that often. If you can swing the trip to Indy: go, man, GO!

As one gear-head to another

Bluetrane2028

At this point, looks like I'm driving out there and pitching a tent instead of getting a hotel. Promises to be an interesting weekend...

I look forward to the next group ride, sorry I had to back out of this one.

zoste

I've said before that at 55 I'm way too old to sleep under canvas, but when I think of all the great racing I've seen while camping at places like Bridgehampton, Summit Point, Watkins Glen, Pocono, Dover, Bristol, Sebring, Lime Rock...in 1988 or '89 I decided to drive from Philly to the World 600 in Charlotte at 10 pm when the race started at 11 the next morning...

If I was ever going to go camping again it would be to go to a race track...Road America for SCCA Regionals or something...

I envy you Bluetrane! Have a BLAST! Drink a beer for me!

Sayre Kulp 

So go enjoy a day at the races and we'll get steaks on the 18th.

zoste

I'll actually be in the area on the 18th, but I won't be available to join you: that's my wedding day.

LongT

Don't forget your gas mask! That nitro is irritating. But smells soooooo good!!!!

Bill

LongT

OK so where is the start? I seem to be SEARCH dysfunctional tonight. Can't find a map. I know where Mont Clare is. Not sure but I'd like to try and make this. I actually bought my 29er because I missed this ride last year.

I have a friend that lives in the Meadows just off Rt 29 and Egypt Rd.

Bill