Route Descriptions
The Iron Tour has distance options of 11, 20, 32, 50, 62, 75, and 100 miles for road routes, and two gravel routes – a Petite Gravel (60 miles) and a Grande Gravel (80 miles) with approximately 30% on gravel.
There’s something for every rider, from a short ride through breathtaking countryside to a century route that visits numerous quaint villages and historical landmarks. The start and finish location at the Kimberton Fire Company Fairgrounds provides an excellent launch into unspoiled country and a great place to gather afterward for fun and food.
Cue sheets, GPS links, and rider information are shared with registered riders starting the week before the event.
Please check your spam or junk mail folders for the rider information email. If you do not receive rider information, email irontour@frenchandpickering.org.
Please note that distances and elevations may vary slightly depending on the tracking method used. Routes may also be subject to last minute changes due to road closures and construction. Our team will communicate any changes with you as soon as possible.
11 and 20 Mile Rides
The 11 mile ride is great for families and those reacquainting themselves with their bicycles. The 20 mile distance has some hills. At the midway point for both rides, you are treated with a rest stop in Chester Springs, just past the charming village of Yellow Springs. Named “Yellow Springs” by the Native Lenape, this spot is steeped in history. Because of the healing waters of the tributaries leading to the Pickering Creek, Yellow Springs was a fashionable spa before and after the Revolutionary War. The first military hospital in the nation’s history, commissioned by George Washington, was built here. Learn more about Historic Yellow Springs.
Elevation Estimates: 11 mile – 580′; 20 mile – 1300′.
32 Mile Ride
The 32 mile ride is a great intermediate ride for those wanting to take in more of northern Chester County’s historical scenery. The route includes two covered bridges and a rest stop in Chester Springs, just past Historic Yellow Springs. After pedaling through the quaint village of Birchrunville, you’ll head north to a rest stop at North Coventry Elementary School before rejoining the longer distance rides for the last 10 miles to the finish.
Elevation Estimate: 2200′.
50 Mile Ride
After the rest stop in Chester Springs, you head west through the territory where many colonial iron forges and furnaces flourished. If you are up for taking in a little more exceptional scenery with a few more hills, this ride is for you. There are four rest stops along the way.
Elevation Estimate: 3400′.
62 Mile Ride
The 62 mile ride follows the same path as the 75 and 100 mile routes for the first 41 miles. After the rest stop at our Thomas P. Bentley Nature Preserve, you’ll head north through parts of French Creek State Park to the rest stop at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site — a preserved iron plantation. This ride offers the perfect combination of picturesque pastures, woods, hills, valleys, and history.
Elevation Estimate: 4200′.
75 and 100 Mile Rides
These rides start off to the east, as far as the edge of Valley Forge National Park, and then to the Chester Springs and the Thomas P. Bentley Nature Preserve rest stops (please note that the first rest stop is 24 miles out from the start of the ride). From the Thomas P. Bentley Nature Preserve, both routes head south, the 75 mile route for an additional 18 mile loop to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. The century ride adds an excursion that skirts the Pennsylvania Dutch Country with a rest stop at Hibernia County Park, the site of an early iron forge which later became the prosperous Hibernia Iron Works. You may pass a horse and buggy along the way! From Hibernia, the course goes north to Hopewell Furnace before you return to the fairgrounds for the post-ride celebration.
Elevation Estimates: 75 mile – 4900′; 100 mile – 6200′.
Petite Gravel (60 Mile) and Grande Gravel (80 Mile) Rides
These leg-burning, chest-pounding rides will take you on, up, and over some of the most beautiful and challenging terrain the French and Pickering Creeks watersheds have to offer. These ride will head west from the fairgrounds to tackle the gravel and climbs found around Birchrunville. Yes, we are talking about Flowing Springs, Hilltop, and Sawmill. The route continues down through Ludwig’s Corner before taking riders through more gravel and elevation gain on their way to the Thomas P. Bentley Nature Preserve rest stop. From there the route will share an on-road portion with the other ride routes before breaking off for gravel going up to the Hopewell Furnace rest stop. From Hopewell Furnace, and with much of the climbing behind you, these routes continue north for a scenic descent through French Creek State Park to the gravel sections of the Schuylkill River Trail. Riders can enjoy the change in pace and hit the last rest stop at North Coventry Elementary School before finishing out the last gravel section from Parker Ford to Phoenixville. The final section rewards riders with the Rapps Dam Covered Bridge spanning the French Creek and a fun section of double track on the French Creek Trail.
These routes are approximately 30% gravel. Recommended bikes for this event – Cyclocross, Gravel, & Touring with a treaded tire, minimum width 30mm or 1.25”. Road bikes are not recommended due to the terrain covered, and mountain bikes are not recommended due to the length of the ride and the amount of on-road sections.
Elevation Estimate: 5500′.
Kind Words
“I had the pleasure of riding the Iron Tour for the first time on Sunday, I can say it will be the first of many more to come! I rode the 50 with my son Ben, his wife Tara and my friend Brian W. We all were so impressed with the organization of the ride, the well-stocked rest stops and volunteer staff, the marking of the routes and having traffic control at the key intersections along route 23. Oh and the post ride lunch was great! You guys were also able to dial up some great weather, unbelievable! I am sure I would be speaking many riders in saying I would offer suggestions for improvement but I am at a loss for improving perfection. I appreciate all the dedication, planning and execution of an event like this.”
