River Towns Ride

Visit four historic river towns in this one-of-a-kind bike ride. The 11th annual River Towns Ride challenges you to ride for a gold medal by visiting all four river towns (62 miles) or take one of our shorter routes and earn a bronze or silver medal for distance completed.   

* No official start line. You can start in the river town that is most convenient to you. (see below)

* Riders begin their ride at time they choose (9am recommended if riding for Gold) at one of the "official" starting points indicated below. 

* Water, drinks & light snacks will be pre-packaged and available at all four rest stops.

* No medals awarded after 3pm, so time your ride start appropriately based on your distance goal. 

* POST-RIDE PARTY in Battery Park at Historic Delaware City with Live Music, Dogfish Head beer, Light Food, First beer free to all registered riders age 21 and older. 

* If event is rescheduled due to weather, registration fees will be honored for the rescheduled date or deferred to next year (not refunded). 

RIDE START: 9AM FLEX. (SAG supports begins at 9am at ends at 3pm. Start when you wish, but you must be complete by 3pm to qualify for medal).

Visit FOUR Historic River Towns! This year you have the option to ride the Markell Trail and Castle Trail (open to bikes & pedestrians only),  The Markell Trail connects the Wilmington Riverfront to Historic New Castle and the Castle Trail connects Historic Delaware City to Historic Chesapeake City, Md. Your wristband will be marked in Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware City and Chesapeake City to confirm you completed that leg of the course.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Multiple route options on a course that is predominately flat between Historic Delaware City, Historic New Castle, Wilmington Riverfront and Historic Chesapeake City, Md. (NEW THIS YEAR). Four Official Starting Points: Downtown Historic New Castle, Downtown Historic Delaware City, Historic Chesapeake City or Riverfront Wilmington (Riverfront check-in will be on the boardwalk at the DuPont Environmental Education Center at start of the Markell Trail). 

Bronze Medal:  Option One: Complete 20-mile circuit between Delaware City and New Castle. Option Two: Complete 18-mile circuit between Delaware City and Summit Marina via Castle Trail

Silver Medal:  Option One: Visit all three Delaware Riverfront towns (32 miles). Start at either Del. City, New Castle, Wilm. Riverfront. Option Two: Delaware City to Chesapeake City, Md. & back via Castle Trail or Chesapeake City to Delaware City & back via Castle Trail (30 miles).

Gold Medal: Visit all four River Towns and return to your start (62 miles).

SUPPORT:  There will be SAG support as well as water/refreshments at all four turn-around points (Historic New Castle, Historic Del City, Historic Chesapeake City, Wilmington Riverfront). 

DIRECTIONS TO OFFICIAL START LINE IN DELAWARE CITY: From I-95 North or South, take DE 1 South via exit 4A (Christiana Mall). Follow 8 miles to exit 152, SR72. Follow SR72 to Delaware City. Official start: 30 Clinton Street, Delaware City, DE 19706.

DIRECTIONS TO OFFICIAL START LINE IN NEW CASTLE: From I-95 North or South, take Route 141 exit south into New Castle via Basin Road. Take left onto Delaware Street and follow 1.5 miles into Historic New Castle. Official start: 201 Delaware St., New Castle, DE 19720.

DIRECTIONS TO OFFICIAL START IN RIVERFRONT WILMINGTON: Exit I-95 North or South at Martin Luther King Blvd. Take right onto S. Madison Street and proceed past The Chase Center and The Westin and park in public parking lot at right just past The Westin. Mount bike and ride Riverwalk to start of Markell Trail at DuPont Environmental Center.

DIRECTIONS TO OFFICIAL START IN CHESAPEAKE CITY, MD:  Take Route 40 to Maryland Route 213 southbound. It's approximately 6 miles to entrance of North Chesapeake City. Do not cross the Route 213 bridge over the canal. Turn left into the entrance and follow Lock St. to Biddle St. Follow the signs directing trail-goers to parking under bridge on Bank St. The trailhead is located at Lock St. and the C&D Canal. 

RIDER PARKING: Delaware City riders can use parking lot on Washington Street Delaware City (adjacent to Crabby Dick’s Restaurant). As you enter Delaware City from north, make left onto Washington Street and proceed to end of the street (parking lot will be on your left). New Castle riders can use Municipal Lot near Battery Park (use 199 W. 3rd St. address). Street parking also available. Free public parking is available at Riverfront lot just past The Westin for riders starting in Wilmington. Follow signs for rider parking under bridge near trailhead at Chesapeake City, Md. (GPS for parking: Use 208 Bank St., Chesapeake City, MD. 21915).