Are You Ready to Do the Bump?

 

What biker in his right mind, one might ask, would intentionally seek out the most unpleasant route on which to travel?

On Sunday, November 8, cyclists from all over the Philadelphia area will gather at Trophy Bikes (712 N 2nd St.) in Northern Liberties and proceed to follow a ten-mile path covering the bumpiest, roughest, most uneven roads in the city after having downed as many early-morning donuts as they possibly can. The group will meet at 8:45AM for Federal Donuts then leave at 9AM to rumble around Kensington, Fishtown and Old City before arriving at the Philly Bike Expo at around 10AM.

Mike McGettigan, director at Trophy Bikes, is encouraging any and all cyclists to come out and participate in Do the Bump, as the bike ride has been dubbed. McGettigan forewarns prospective bikers, however, that the trail can at times be unforgiving; thus, it should not be regarded as a warm and pleasant Sunday-morning excursion. You must have a helmet, spare tube, patch kit, pump, gloves, and your fasteners must be tight. The minimum recommended tire width is 2” / 38mm.

With the cooperation of the Philadelphia Streets Department, Robert Cheetham — a loyal customer of Trophy Bikes and head of Azavea, a software mapping company in Trestletown — has been able to create a trek for his fellow cyclists to follow and an accompanying legend detailing the physical composition of the streets as well as their current conditions.

The Philadelphia Society of Small Streets (PSSS), a joint and relatively young group, is anxious to partake in the event. The PSSS is also exhorting the Streets Department to repave some of the most historic roads in Philadelphia rather than arbitrarily choosing select cobblestoned paths on which to work.

The only real question that remains is this: will the riders be able to hold their donuts?

NOTE: The route will be hitting Trenton Avenue’s cobbles, which will take cyclists past the Jacquin’s distillery. According to McGettigan, there will be a bottle of their famous Rock and Rye on hand for that leg of the trail. See you guys there.