158 Miles for Act 158
About the Event
We Love Philly will be riding from Philadelphia to Harrisburg to raise awareness around Act 158 and using the trip as a platform to highlight the organizations who are providing solutions to the changing law
$158,000 will be raised and shared with our young people to help pay wages for our ACT 158 through our upcoming programs.
What is Act 158?
Effective with the graduating class of 2023, students have the option to demonstrate postsecondary preparedness through one of four additional pathways that more fully illustrate college, career, and community readiness. Keystone Exams will continue as the statewide assessment Pennsylvania uses to comply with accountability requirements set forth in the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
3 Ways We're Meeting the Needs
Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship
In March of 2023 We Love Philly was Approved by the Department of Labor and Industry and the Apprenticeship Training Office as a Registered Digital Marketing Apprenticeship program. In June 2023 We Love Philly was Registered as a Pre-Apprenticeship Program. This allows our youth the opportunity to receive Industry Recognized Credentials Through Google and eventually become full time apprentices with our Employer partners, including 1SEO and Revcarto in order to meet high school graduation requirements and haven a pathway to a livable wage career
Where Are You Riding From?
Bike Rentals ($350 Deposit)
1 Day – $40
2 Days – $75
3 Days – $105
4 Days – $120
Bikes for Purchase
$700 – 5% of each purchase will go to We Love Philly
Not Riding? Help Sponsor Us Instead!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take us to ride a bicycle from Philadelphia to Harrisburg?
The time required to complete the ride depends on several factors, such as your fitness level, speed, and breaks. On average, it takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours to complete one of the four legs of our race. We also will be stopping during the legs of our race at different non profit organizations to volunteer or to run workshops. This can be a time to rest, eat or lend a helping hand. The Legs, Stops, and non profit orgs are as follows.
Day 1:
Start: One Art Community Center Kick off Event on August 17th beginning at 11am and starting at 12. The We Love Philly Bus will be taking the journey with us and you can store your bicycles and supplies on the bus. The bus will meet us at Lock 29 Restaurant for an After Party. Bring some Money as Lock 29 has agreed to donate 15 percent of the day's sales to We Love Philly!
Stop 1: We will stop in Norristown to take a break and volunteer with locally based Non Profit Organization Expressive Paths (60-90 min)
Stop 2: We will end the first leg of the bicycle ride at Lock 29. The bus will be on sight as well as local News Media! Happy hour will commence. Your bicycle can be stored on the We Love Philly Bus and you can be driven back to One Art Community Center.
Stop 3 (for people doing more than the first leg): We will be staying at the Main Stay inn, YOU DON’T HAVE TO STAY IF YOU DON’T WANT TO BUT IT’S WHAT WE COULD AFFORD!) There are other hotel options available in the Phoenixville area.
Day 2:
Start- We Will meet at Lock 29 at 11am to begin our ride. We will always have a car with us to hold supplies and ride along with us. We will ride together to The Village of Reading which will take Approx 3 hours. Once we arrive we will Take a break and volunteer or the WLP Team will run a workshop with the organization.
Option/Stop 1- If you do not want to arrive at the Village of Reading you are welcome to check in at our hotel the Candlewood Suites
Stop 2- Carlos Aponte will be available at 5pm to lead riders through a yoga practice at Schlegel Park Field House located at 100 E Wyomissing Blvd, Reading, PA 19611.
Day 3:
Start- We Will meet at Schlegel Park Field House located at 100 E Wyomissing Blvd, Reading, PA 19611 at 10am to begin our ride. We will always have a car with us to hold supplies and ride along with us. We will ride together to Making a Difference of Lebanon which will take Approx 3 hours. Once we arrive we will take a break and volunteer or the WLP Team will run a workshop with the organization.
Option/Stop 1- If you do not want to arrive at Making A Difference of Lebanon, you are welcome to check in at our hotel the Holiday Inn.
Day 4:
Start- We Will meet at Fisher Veterans' Memorial Park located at 521 S 9th St, Lebanon, PA at 10am to meditate and set intentions for the day. We will leave for Harrisbrg shortly after. We will always have a car with us to hold supplies and ride along with us. We will ride together to BCM Peace located at 219 Hummel St, Harrisburg, PA 17104 which will take Approx 3 hours. Once we arrive we will take a break and volunteer or the WLP Team will run a workshop with the organization.
Option/Stop 1- If you do not want to arrive at BCM PEACE we will be having an after party at Harrisburg Beach Club Starting at 3pm! Food and Drinks will be provided and Tickets come with the purchase of your tickets.
Is this a race?
No! We are riding together and NO one doing the ride will be left alone to do the ride by themselves.
How will I get home from Harrisburg?
What type of bicycle is recommended for this ride?
A road bike or a touring bike is ideal for this ride. These bikes are designed for long-distance rides on paved roads, providing efficiency and comfort. Want to rent a road bicycle from our community partner for the ride? Click here for special rates.
Are there any bike shops along the route in case of repairs or emergencies?
Yes, there are bike shops along the Philadelphia to Harrisburg route where you can get repairs, spare parts, or assistance in case of emergencies. It is advisable to carry basic repair tools and spare tubes as a precaution. These tools can be held in our car or on your person.
Are there designated bike lanes or paths for the ride?
There are portions of the route that have dedicated bike lanes or paths (Philadelphia to Reading is all Schuylkill River Trail). However, there may also be sections where you will need to ride on regular roads with vehicle traffic from Reading to Harrisburg. Check out a map of each route here.
Are there places to eat along the route?
Yes, there are various towns and communities along the way where you can find restaurants, cafes, and convenience stores to grab a meal or snacks. It's a good idea to carry some food and water with you as well.
Is it necessary to carry any specific gear or equipment for the ride?
Essential gear includes a helmet, bike lights, reflective clothing, a repair kit, spare tubes, a pump, and a water bottle. It is also advisable to carry a map or GPS device to navigate the route. We are riding together and WILL stay together. If you do not bring a Helmet you WILL NOT be able to ride.
Are there any challenging sections on the route?
The Philadelphia to Harrisburg route is generally considered moderate in difficulty. However, there are some hilly sections, especially in the countryside. It is recommended to be prepared for climbs and descents.
I don’t want to ride, but how can I support?
Click Here
Why is We Love Philly doing this?
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