The first Philly Seersucker Vintage Bike Ride & Social is taking place on Saturday June 25th at 10:30am (rain date Sunday June 26th). The ride is being hosted by Philadelphia natives John and Dawn Petty, the founders of Dandies and Quaintrelles-Philly, and Stacey W. Gross, the event planner.

Their goal: establish a fun, stylish, vintage biking event that will kick off the opening of the summer season. The event will also be benefiting Neighborhood Bike Works, a close partner of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. Petty notes Indego is also partnering with the ride, providing a code for a free 30 minutes of use, and that code will be shared at the preview debut and with folks registered for the Vintage Bike Ride.

The ride is inspired by an event done in Washington DC, hosted by the group Dandies and Quaintrelles, but it is also similar to the annual Philly Tweed Ride, which John and Dawn have participated in before. Similar vintage events have happened in New York such as the “Boater’s Ball and “Jazz Age Lawn Party.”

John Petty and Dawn Petty

John Petty and Dawn Petty

The Philly Seersucker Vintage Ride will begin in Old City and make stops on the Schuylkill and at some historic Philadelphia locations for photo opportunities.

Along the way there will refreshments and music, and riders should expect a slow, casual, easy pace. The exact locations of the start and end will be released the day before so it is essential you register in order to get all the important information!

Bicycle Coalition

The ride is thematic and participants should try for their best seersucker look. “The theme is the style of the Prohibition Era, the “Jazz Age,”Petty said in an email, “and in that period, protocols (of polite society) dictated that certain clothing was only worn certain times of the year…summer wear is strongly encouraged: whites, pastels, straw hats… and of course in styles that would make Gatsby proud!”

The ride will finish at a to-be-announced venue for the Vintage Picnic Social. Riders may either bring their own food or purchase lunch at the event. There will also be music, lawn games, and more beautiful spots for photos along the river.

Additionally a contest for “dandiest dandy” and “most quaint quaintrelle” will be taking place.

This ride will be a fun, relaxing, family friendly way to kick off the summer so please register and enjoy the day!

For more information visit their website: https://www.phillyseersucker.com/
To register visit their registration page: https://www.phillyseersucker.com/#!registration/c1xfb

-Marina Stuart 
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