Discover the Schuylkill River Trail and Pottstown’s History

The Schuylkill River Heritage Area will offer a guided bicycle tour of Pottstown that will include a trip along the Schuylkill River Trail, a visit to Pottsgrove Manor and lunch downtown.

The four-hour program, set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 23, will begin at the Schuylkill River Heritage Area offices, 140 College Drive, adjacent to Riverfront Park.

Participants will use yellow cruisers available through free bike share program to ride along the Schuylkill River Trail to the Grosstown Road Trailhead then back to Riverfront Park -- a total distance of five miles.

From Riverfront Park, they will travel through Pottstown to Pottsgrove Manor for a tour of the 1752 home of ironmaster John Potts, founder of Pottstown. Then, using bike lanes along High Street, participants will ride to Grumpy’s Deli in downtown Pottstown for lunch.

Cost of the tour is $15 per person. Participants purchase their own lunch.

The bike tour is one of a series of cycling and paddling programs being offered by the Schuylkill River Heritage Area this summer. Others include three Pedal and Paddle programs, which consist of a bike ride along the Schuylkill River Trail to Historic Morlatton Village, and a return trip via kayak. All Pedal and Paddle events have been popular and have filled to capacity.

“The Schuylkill River Heritage Area uses conservation, education, recreation, historic and cultural preservation, and tourism as tools for community revitalization and economic development,” said executive director Kurt Zwikl. “By offering these cycling and paddling programs, we can introduce people to the Schuylkill River Trail, the river, historic sites and downtowns, so that they gain a better appreciation for all that this region has to offer.”

The bike tour is made possible through a grant from the Pottstown Health and Wellness Foundation. Space is limited. To pre-register, call 484-945-0200.