Fifth 'Bike the Brandywine' event welcomes nearly 400 riders for a sunny and scenic day through Chester County, PA
Chadds Ford, PA, September 19, 2022— The Brandywine Conservancy’s “Bike the Brandywine” event returned for its fifth year on Saturday, September 17 with nearly 400 cyclists enjoying a sunny day along the Brandywine Creek Greenway and surrounding Chester County countryside. This year’s event featured three scenic loops filled with stunning views of the area’s rural landscapes, rich history and active farmland—much of which the Brandywine Conservancy has helped permanently protect and conserve over the past 50 plus years. Proceeds from the ride benefited the Brandywine’s open space and clean water programs.
“Following a two-year pandemic-related hiatus, we were thrilled to bring back our popular Bike the Brandywine event this year,” said Stephanie Armpriester, Brandywine's Director of Conservation and Stewardship. “This event continues to be a great way to engage the community in the vital work of the Brandywine Conservancy, all while supporting our mission to protect and preserve open space and clean water resources.” Grant DeCosta, Brandywine's Director of Community Services, added, “With the rolling hills of Chester County serving as a scenic backdrop, cyclists were able to connect firsthand with the land, water and historic sites that the Conservancy works hard to protect. With much gratitude, we thank all of our participants for their support, as well as the staff, volunteers, Brandywine Creek Greenway municipal partners and sponsors who made this day possible.”
Participating cyclists chose from distances of 25, 45 and 62 (Metric Century) miles, with each loop beginning and ending at the Chadds Ford Historical Society. The Metric Century and 45-mile routes took cyclists through the rolling hills of Unionville, PA, with scenes of bucolic countryside and historic sites, before winding through Modena and the village of Marshallton. Cyclists on the 25-mile route followed along the West Branch of the Brandywine through open farmland, scenic river alleys and equestrian landscapes.
Upon returning to Chadds Ford, cyclists were welcomed back with celebratory drinks from 2SP Brewing Company and a complimentary lunch provided by Chef Justin Rumsey, Executive Chef of the Brandywine River Museum of Art’s Millstone Café. Bike the Brandywine was generously supported by Willowdale Town Center, Otto's BMW, The Whip Tavern, 2SP Brewing Company, Trek Delaware, Waywood Beverage, Chadds Ford Historical Society, and Starbucks at the Shoppes at Longwood Village in Kennett Square.
About the Brandywine Creek Greenway:
The Brandywine Creek Greenway is a regional planning initiative of the Brandywine Conservancy—involving 29 municipal partners in Chester and Delaware counties in Pennsylvania and New Castle County and the City of Wilmington in Delaware—to create a 40-mile-long conservation and recreation corridor along both branches of the Brandywine. The Greenway stretches from the Christina River in the City of Wilmington, Delaware, to the Pennsylvania Highlands in Honey Brook Township. The Brandywine Creek Greenway and its network of parks and trails form the western limit of the Circuit Trails, a regional trail network of the greater Philadelphia region. The vision of the Brandywine Creek Greenway is to build healthier, more sustainable communities, by emphasizing the natural and cultural resources of the area; preserving and protecting the Brandywine River; and creating connections among open space, parks, river access points and area attractions. To learn more, visit www.brandywinegreenway.org
About the Brandywine Conservancy:
The Brandywine Conservancy protects water, conserves land, and engages communities. The Conservancy uses a multi-faceted approach to conservation. Staff work with private landowners who wish to see their lands protected forever and provide innovative community planning services to municipalities and other governmental agencies. The Conservancy currently holds more than 500 conservation and agricultural easements and has facilitated the permanent preservation of over 69,400 acres of land. The Conservancy is a program of the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art.
About the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art:
The Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art preserves and promotes the natural and cultural connections between the area’s beautiful landscape, historic sites, and important artists. The Conservancy protects the lands and waters throughout the Brandywine Valley and other priority conservation areas, developing sustainable approaches to emerging needs and assuring preservation of majestic open spaces and protection of natural resources for generations to come. The Museum of Art presents and collects historic and contemporary works of American art, engaging and exciting visitors of all ages through an array of exhibitions and programs. The Brandywine unites the inspiring experiences of art and nature, enhancing the quality of life in its community and among its diverse audiences.
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