History

TOPS (Tandems of Philly & Suburbs) was founded in 2004. The 2004 cycling season started with just a few teams getting together to found TOPS. This group of tandem enthusiasts is a group of cyclists within the Suburban Cyclists Unlimited bicycle club.

TOPS is organized to promote tandem cycling and all the great things that go with that, for riders in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. TOPS will coordinate rides and other social events with the express purpose of enjoying riding with other tandems, having fun, making new friends and consuming quantities of ice cream.

TOPS invites tandems, including recumbents, to get together for rides in the Delaware Valley Area. Club members reside in one of many locales including Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Also invited to join are tandem enthusiasts from the local NJ and DE suburbs and from any other location around the world.

Riding in the Philadelphia area is varied and rich in history. Image riding where George Washington fought at Valley Forge or Crossed the Delaware. Our maybe it’s a ride through other battlefields in the area or climbing beautifully tree lined hills and descending into lush valleys. For those who prefer flatter riding terrain, you’ll enjoy cycling paths, like the bike path that take you into the heart of Philadelphia where you can visit the Art Museum and climb the steps like Rocky (not on your bike). Maybe visiting the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Penn’s Landing, or the Betsy Ross museum are of interest to you. Riding along the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers are some of the most picturesque areas of southeast Pennsylvania. For those who prefer the countryside, riding past many pastoral farms including majestic horse farms can be found in many of the suburban counties surrounding Philadelphia.

Some of the best ice cream on the east coast can be enjoyed along with a famous Philly Cheese Steaks.