Hello all,
My wife and I are thinking of moving to Chestnut Hill, Philadephia. I love to ride (road, MTB, cross), and am spoiled now as we live way out in the 'burbs south of Boston and can get to deserted roads quickly. Can anyone give me some flavor on what it is like to ride in the Chestnut Hill area? Do people ride form there to get to less trafficked roads (how far?) or is that a death wish? I know Fairmount Park system is a gem, but no paved sections to the north? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

The Philly area, in general, has a very healthy cycling scene.

From Chestnut Hill, you're not too far from the Schuylkill Trail. Hop on that and you can be out in the Valley Forge area and on relatively empty roads in no time at all.

If you like cross and don't mind gravel, Forbidden Drive in Wisahickon Park, where there are also plenty of MTB trails is good and runs pretty close to Chestnut Hill. Out past Valley Forge, the Schuylkill Trail turns into the Perkiomen Trail and turns to Gravel up through Collegeville and on to Green Lane.

There are also plenty of back roads in and around Chestnut Hill to explore that aren't heavily trafficked. You'll quickly learn what roads to stay away from.

There's good riding in this area.

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Martin

Chestnut hill is pretty populated as far as traffic and such goes- to get out to rural roads, you would need to get out to Chester county or Bucks county- about 30 minute drives for each with traffic. However- the Schukyll river trail can take you there by bike if you are willing to ride the 25 or so miles to go out- it empties at the Valley Forge battlefields, so getting to rural roads from there is a snap.

Bicycle Club of Philadelphia could help you out. Google it. They have rides all the time. Now I may be dating myself but you can take Tennis Ave. (comes out of Chestnut Hill around the hospital) all the way up to Holland and then to New Hope in Bucks County. I used to go on training rides with a group out of Hill Cycle on Germantown Ave. Great ride. Beautful Country. Challanging ride. There's all kinds of routes out to the Counties. Contact some of the bike shops in Bucks Montgomery Berks Counties. There's riding all over our area. Lots of ways out of Chestnut Hill. Robt.

Thank you everyone for your replies. Seems like an adjustment from what I have now, but certainly doable. Thanks again.