Phoenixville, Pa., April 2016–
Registration has opened for the Annual French Creek Iron Tour “Cycling for Open Space” event http://irontour.org on Sunday, June 12, starting at the Kimberton Fire Company Fairgrounds, 762 Pike Springs Road (Rt. 113), Phoenixville, Pa.
Registration will close at 1,800 riders or at 5 p.m., June 9, whichever comes first. Registration by May 27 is $45, and riders will receive a free t-shirt. After that date, registration is $55, with no t-shirt. There will be no day-of-event registration. Registration is non-refundable, and the ride takes place rain or shine.
According to Iron Tour event chair Jen Trachtman, “Cycle through American history! The Iron Tour takes riders directly past preserved areas where iron blast furnaces and forges served as cornerstones of industry in colonial Pennsylvania.”
The Iron Tour has distance options of 11, 20, 32, 50, 62, 75, and 100 miles. There’s something for every type of rider, from a short ride through breathtaking countryside to a century route that visits numerous quaint villages and historical landmarks. The start and finish location at the Kimberton Fire Company Fairgrounds provides an excellent launch into unspoiled country and a great place to gather afterward for an included lunch.
The 11-mile ride is great for families and those reacquainting themselves with their bicycles. The 20-mile distance contains some hills and will take riders over two historic covered bridges. At the midway point for both rides, there is a rest stop at the charming village of Yellow Springs.
The annual Iron Tour raises much-needed funds for French & Pickering, with 100% of its proceeds going directly toward the preservation of open space in northern Chester County, Pa.
In its 14th year, the French Creek Iron Tour has acquired a good following among cyclists, and has earned a reputation for its first-class rest stops and delicious food. Last year’s Iron Tour had more than 1,400 riders.
Information on the French Creek Iron Tour, descriptions of all distance options, schedules and more are available at http://irontour.org.
Photograph courtesy of Jackie Sloan.
