River Towns Ride & Festival Connects Three Scenic Wilmington Area Towns for Riders of All Levels

Looking to gear up in Greater Wilmington? The 11th annual River Towns Ride & Festival provides riders the opportunity to visit the historic riverfronts of New Castle, Delaware City and Wilmington, Delaware while earning medals based on distance completed. This year’s ride will be held Saturday, October 14th beginning at 9 a.m. There will be a post-ride party that will be held in Historic New Castle’s Battery Park featuring live music, games, beer, food and non-alcoholic beverages.  

The Ride can be started in whichever town you wish, and the official start time is 9 a.m. SAG support begins at 9 a.m. and will end at 3 p.m. No medals are awarded after 3 p.m. so time your start based on your distance goal. You can visit all three historic river towns! Again, this year you have the option to ride the Markell Trail (open to bikes & pedestrians only), which connects the Wilmington Riverfront to Historic New Castle and Historic Delaware City.  

There are multiple route options on a course that is predominately flat between Historic Delaware City, Historic New Castle and the Wilmington Riverfront. The three official starting points are Downtown Historic New Castle, Downtown Historic Delaware City and the DuPont Environmental Education Center for the Wilmington Riverfront.  

There are three medals that can be earned for certain milestones. First is the bronze medal in which you must complete the 20-mile circuit between Delaware City and New Castle. Second is the silver medal which has two ways of completion. The first option is to complete two circuits (40 miles) between Delaware City and New Castle and the second option is to visit all three Riverfront towns (32 miles) and return to your start (you can start at any of the three towns). The final medal is the gold medal where you must visit all three Riverfront towns twice (64 miles) and return to your start (you can start at any of the three towns). Don’t miss out on one of the most scenic bike rides in Greater Wilmington all year! 

The River Towns Ride is just one of the many attractions that make Wilmington, Delaware, and the Brandywine Valley the perfect weekend getaway.  A weekend in Wilmington, Delaware promises a captivating blend of history, culture, and natural splendor. From the opulent to the artistic, to history coming alive in its streets, Wilmington's rich heritage, diverse cuisine, and tranquil landscapes make it an ideal destination for a weekend retreat.