Hungry Pigeon is a station again this year where delicious sweet treats will be available to ProfiteROLLers.
The Bicycle Coalition’s signature pastry scavenger ride, ProfiteROLL, is twice the fun in 2020. On April 4th, ProfiteROLLers will take to the streets in search of sweet treats for the third annual fundraiser in support of safe streets.
For the first time ever, there will be two routes for pastry seekers: a roughly 4-mile North route from Fishtown to Fairmount, and a longer 8-mile route that travels across South Philly, Center City, and West Philly. We’re also excited to be hosting the after-party this year in our own backyard at the Bicycle Coalition Education Center on Lemon Hill.
How does ProfiteROLL work?
Participants sign up for one of two routes (the shorter Fishtown to Fairmount route or the longer South Philly to West Philly route) and get a passport to be stamped at sweet treat stations along the way. At each station, ProfiteROLLers are entitled to complimentary sweet treats. The ride is self-guided and participants can start at any station along the route. This year, we’ll be offering turn-by-turn directions via RideWithGPS: just download the app, load the route, and you’re ready to go!
Once you’ve hit up each station, you’ll head to the after-party where there will be post-ride libations, barbecue, and fun & games. There will also be a celebratory croquembouche for all to enjoy!
Participants get their passports stamped in exchange for sweet treats.
What does my ticket include?
Your ticket gets you sweets at each station, a t-shirt, access to turn-by-turn directions with GPS, complimentary admission to the after-party, and 1 drink ticket. It’s a steal if you ask us.
What are the stations?
We’re so excited to announce the epic slate of businesses that will be providing participants will delicious treats: Bean2Bean Coffee Co., Cake Life Bake Shop, Coffee Cream & Dreams, Condesa, DessertCrazy, El Merkury, Essen Bakery, Federal Donuts, Fiore Fine Foods, Fork Restaurant, Hungry Pigeon, Lil Pop Shop, Lost Bread Co., Machine Shop Boulangerie, Nook Bakery & Coffee Bar, Ramona Susan’s Bake Shop, Real Estate With Heart, and The Sweet Life Bakeshop.
In addition to these amazing local businesses, please also give some love to our ride sponsor, Philly Foodworks, an online market and farm share program that is dedicated to creating a sustainable local food system for the Greater Philadelphia region. Having started out as urban farmers themselves, Philly Foodworks understands the rewards and challenges of growing food, and is committed to building a better distribution network between farmers/producers and consumers in our area. If you’re as excited as we are about what they do, click here to be join the Philly Foodworks mailing list and be entered to win a $100 gift certificate.
What does my donation support?
100% of each ticket sold will go to the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and support Families for Safe Streets Greater Philadelphia. ProfiteROLLers support our advocacy for safe streets and better bicycle infrastructure.
This ride was launched in memory of Emily Fredricks, a pastry chef who was hit and killed while riding her bike to work. The service industry is especially impacted by the issue of bicycle and street safety. Since starting this ride, we have heard from many restaurants and food businesses of how their employees have been involved in bike crashes. We’re proud to host a ride that launches a dialogue within the industry as well as elevating the issue within the public discourse.
“Bicycles offer a great low cost low hassle way for our industry to commute to work, so it’s imperative that Philly is a bike friendly city. Cycling is good for the environment and good for our bodies and minds. We’re proud to support the coalition!” — Essen Bakery
“Hungry Pigeon has a ton of avid bike riders, and it the main way most of our cooks get to work. Improving bike safety in Philadelphia is a very important issue to us!”
What’s the event t-shirt look like?
We’re so grateful to have the opportunity to highlight the artwork of Emily Fredricks on this year’s shirt. In addition to her work as a pastry chef, Emily was an artist whose medium was watercolors. Our staff member Megan, who is also an artist, traced one of her watercolor paintings so we could feature it on the shirt. We hope you’ll wear this meaningful design with pride.
Cake Life Bake Shop, which helped launch the first ProfiteROLL, is on the route again this year.
Do I have to ride a bike?
Nope! In past years, we’ve had participants walk the route or use public transit. It brings us joy to see folks do the scavenger hunt on SEPTA. Given the recent launch of our involvement with Transit Forward Philly, we officially endorse this way of participating.
I’m planning to ride with my family. Does each person need their own ticket?
You’ll need a separate ticket for each person who is consuming treats. Adults should each get their own ticket, and if your child is going to want a treat at each station, you should buy a ticket for them. Otherwise, it’s fine to have children on the ride and share without buying additional tickets.
What fun can I expect at the after-party?
You’ll want to switch gears from sweet to savory with a post-ride BBQ hosted by Johnny Brenda’s Paul Kimport (food is pay-as-you-go and proceeds support the Bicycle Coalition). An avid cyclist himself, Paul Kimport is bringing his custom transport cycle rolling BBQ to the post ride celebration meet up at the suspiciously gingerbread-like Sedgley Porter House, which is home to the Bicycle Coalition’s new education center.
You’ll also enjoy a complimentary post-ride drink and break into the croquembouche being provided by Feast Your Eyes Catering. Local bike celebrity Stuart Leon, cyclist and crash-law attorney, will be making a cameo and playing some music. The participant who crowdfunds the most support for safer streets will be awarded an amazingly on-brand donut bike bag donated by Firth & Wilson Transport Cycles.
Friends and family are welcome to attend the after-party without participating in the ride. Suggested donation is $5 at the door.