South Coast Bikeway

Connecting the Communities of South Coast Massachusetts by bicycle

Pedal for the Path

Pedal for the Path 2024

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Pedal for the Path ride poster 2024

Join us for our signature event of the year – a cycling tour of the South Coast with beautiful views, quiet roads and lots of fun.

New this year: the 35-mile loop will follow the newly established Dartmouth Heritage Trail bicycle route, winding through Dartmouth’s ten founding villages from Hixville in the north to Round Hill in the south. The official PFTP route will be posted on our website and Facebook event and emailed closer to the ride. A waiver will be provided at sign-in.

Also new this year: registration is free. You can donate here. There are two new ways to show your support. Jerseys and Tech tees are available for purchase at registration.

This signature event highlights the beauty and history of the South Coast and includes ice cream! We will celebrate recent progress along the South Coast Bikeway, highlight the Northern Scenic Greenway project that will connect Fall River to New Bedford through Westport and Dartmouth, and update attendees about the status of the bikeway in our ten-member communities.

New this year, it’s FREE, but let us know you are riding.
Donations are welcome and Merch is for sale.

Register Today!

Online registration closes at 6 p.m. on Saturday, 9/7. Event-day registration is welcome at 8 a.m on 9/8. The ride starts at 9 a.m.

What is it?

​The South Coast Bikeway Alliance (SCBA) will hold its sixth regional bike ride, Pedal for the Path. Beginning and ending at Running Brook Vineyard, 35-miles of fabulous cycling, postcard-perfect scenic views, more historic places than you can count, and, along the way, memorable ice cream and more! A post ride celebration features a food truck, wine and beverages for purchase, and live music.

Sponsored stops include:

Hill Crest Ice Cream

Davoll’s General Store rest stop

Scuttlebutt Coffee Company Water Stop

More to come...

ROUTE
Official SCBA PFTP 35 mile Route: Ride with GPS route

Use the RidewithGPS app (iOS or Android), or visit the links above to download route data or send to your device.

Please check back here and on our Facebook page for the latest event updates. Contact us at thesouthcoastbikeway@gmail.com if you have any questions.  

We need to know how many will attend, sign up – right away! 

Register Today!

Not planning to ride? Donate Thank you! 

Volunteers Needed!

We will need plenty of help on the day of the event, Sunday, September 8.   If you don’t feel like riding but want to be outside doing something helpful and fun – then this is your opportunity to have it all. 

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What is it for?

This ride will help raise funds to further advance the results of the Closing the Gap feasibility study enabling the communities of Dartmouth, New Bedford, and Westport to move closer to completing their portions of a multi-use South Coast Bikeway spanning from Swansea to Wareham. Sections have already been completed in Fall River, Fairhaven, New Bedford and Mattapoisett. We need your help to bring the Path to completion!  

FAQ’s

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

  • There’s plenty of free parking at Running Brook Vineyard, 335 Old Fall River Rd, Dartmouth, MA 02747 from 8 am to 4 pm. Look for the event sign.

When can I check in for the ride?

  • Registration check-in starts at 8:00 am. All riders must check-in. The ride starts at 9 am. Riders must return by 3:00 pm; ride support will be provided up to 3:00 pm.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

  • Email us: thesouthcoastbikeway@gmail.com

 What’s the refund policy?

  • This is a free event. And the ride will be RAIN or SHINE.

 Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

  • Registration is required but tickets are not.
  • You will be required to sign a waiver when you arrive.

 What is the terrain?      

  • The route traverses country roads as well as city streets and a few suburban blocks. A drawbridge, that opens every half hour, may encourage you to pause and look at the boats! Water refills and bathrooms will be available at rest areas and ice cream stops.

How do I get my ice cream or other benefits?    

  • Present yourself at the counter or kiosk with your rider bib on. 

What kind of cycling support will be available?

  • Yesteryear Cyclery will offer pre-ride safety checks and on-road assistance.
  • On the Spot Mobile Bike Repair will provide assistance at the start, on the road as needed, and will sweep the course.
  • Artemis Cyclery will provide assistance at the start, on the road as needed, and will sweep the course.

What if I can’t complete the entire route?

  • You will be provided a phone number for assistance. 
  • In an emergency, call 911.

What about maps/cue sheets?​

  • 35 mile route: GPS route to be provided
  • Printed maps and cue sheets will be available for viewing at check-in on the day of the ride.

What do I need to bring on the day of the ride?

  • Remember to register online. We will have a list of registered riders.
  • Helmets must be worn.
  • Water bottles are a must for this long ride. Water stations will provide refills.
  • Bike gloves help prevent injury to hands from long hours on the handlebars.
  • If you desire food along the way, be prepared to purchase items at stores along the route.
Register Today!

Thank you to our 2024 Sponsors!

Rider support generously provided by:

Team South Coast Bikeway’s 22 members raise $18,195 and more!

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Team South Coast Bikeway Alliance (SCBA) is riding in the October 1 Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride. We are recruiting team members and currently have 22 cyclists with a goal of 30 riders. If you are registered to ride, please join the South Coast Bikeway team. The funds you raise for the Coalition will be matched by SCBA sponsors, benefiting two causes.

The SCBA has been given permission to “piggyback” on the Watershed Ride fundraising. Whatever you raise for Buzzards Bay will be matched by (still-to-be determined) donors to the SCBA. Servedwell Hospitality was our first donor! You may know them as Cisco Brewers, Joes Original, The Whale’s Tail, The Black Whale, Sail Loft and more! Support has grown with the addition of Aspire Dental, Westport Dental, Seaspray Container Company, the Law Offices of Lang, Xifaras & Bullard, and a few anonymous donors. Their generosity has brought our matching donations to $6000 to date. SCBA is actively seeking other donors as well. Donate or join our team here. 

If you don’t ride, please consider a donation to the SCBA team or to the South Coast Bikeway.  Matching funds raised will be used for design, engineering and build grants to complete the South Coast Bikeway, a planned cycling route from Rhode Island to Cape Cod Canal. The goal for team SCBA is $30,000. This is sufficient to meet the required match for a MassTrails grant of $120,000. We have projects in Westport, Dartmouth and Wareham in mind, but more coordination with those communities is needed to determine the exact needs.

SCBA is an 501c3 organization whose mission is to assist our member communities in completing their portion of the South Coast Bikeway. Our team has raised over $25,000 for the Buzzards Bay Coalition over the last 7 years. Let’s make this our best year yet by supporting our two causes.

Join the businesses below and become a matching sponsor, today!

Support for Team South Coast Bikeway is growing!

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Team South Coast Bikeway Alliance (SCBA) is riding in the October 1 Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride. We are recruiting team members and currently have 21 bicyclists with a goal of 30 riders. If you have ridden as an individual in the past or are taking on the challenge for the first time, please join the South Coast Bikeway team. The funds you raise for the Coalition will be matched by SCBA sponsors, benefiting two causes.

The SCBA has been given permission to “piggyback” on the Watershed Ride fundraising. Whatever you raise for Buzzards Bay will be matched by (still-to-be determined) donors to the SCBA. Servedwell Hospitality was our first donor! You may know them as Cisco Brewers, Joes Original, The Whale’s Tail, The Black Whale, Sail Loft and more! Support has grown with the addition of Aspire Dental, Westport Dental, Seaspray Container Company and a few anonymous donors. Their generosity has brought our matching donations to $6000 to date. SCBA is actively seeking other donors as well. Donate or join our team here. 

If you don’t ride, please consider a donation to the SCBA team or to the South Coast Bikeway.  Funds raised will be used as matching funds for design, engineering and build grants to complete the South Coast Bikeway, a planned cycling route from Rhode Island to Cape Cod Canal. The goal for team SCBA is $30,000. This is sufficient to meet the required match for a MassTrails grant of $120,000. We have projects in Westport, Dartmouth and Wareham in mind, but more coordination with those communities is needed to determine the exact needs.

SCBA is an 501c3 organization whose mission is to assist our member communities in completing their portion of the South Coast Bikeway. Our team has raised over $25,000 for the Buzzards Bay Coalition over the last 7 years. Let’s make this our best year yet by supporting our two causes.

Local businesses sponsor team South Coast Bikeway!

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Team South Coast Bikeway Alliance (SCBA) is riding in the October 1 Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride. We are recruiting team members and have a goal of 30 riders. If you have ridden as an individual in the past or are taking on the challenge for the first time, please join the South Coast Bikeway team. The funds you raise for the Coalition will be matched by SCBA sponsors, benefiting two causes.

The SCBA has been given permission to “piggyback” on the Watershed Ride fundraising. Whatever you raise for Buzzards Bay will be matched by (still-to-be determined) donors to the SCBA. Servedwell Hospitality was our first donor! You may know them as Cisco Brewers, Joes Original, The Whale’s Tail, The Black Whale, Sail Loft and more! Aspire Dental and Westport Dental and a few anonymous donors have brought our donations to $5500 to date. SCBA is actively seeking other donors as well. Donate or join our team here. 

If you don’t ride, please consider a donation to the SCBA team or to the South Coast Bikeway.  Funds raised will be used as matching funds for design, engineering and build grants to complete the South Coast Bikeway, a planned cycling route from Rhode Island to Cape Cod Canal. The Goal for team SCBA is $30,000. This is sufficient to meet the required match for a MassTrails grant of $120,000. We have projects in Westport, Dartmouth and Wareham in mind, but more coordination with those communities is needed to determine the exact needs.

SCBA is an 501c3 organization whose mission is to assist our member communities in completing their portion of the South Coast Bikeway. Our team has raised over $25,000 for the Buzzards Bay Coalition over the last 7 years. Let’s make this our best year yet by supporting our two causes.

TEAM SCBA NOW FORMING for the WATERSHED RIDE

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Team South Coast Bikeway Alliance (SCBA) is riding in the October 1 Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride. We are looking for more team members. If you have ridden as an individual in the past or are taking on the challenge for the first time, please join the South Coast Bikeway team. The funds you raise for the Coalition will be matched by SCBA sponsors, benefiting two causes.

The SCBA has been given permission to “piggyback” on the Watershed Ride fundraising. Whatever you raise for Buzzards Bay will be matched by (still-to-be determined) donors to the SCBA. Our first donor is Servedwell Hospitality! You may know them as Cisco Brewers, Joes Original, The Whale’s Tail, The Black Whale, The Sail Loft and more! SCBA is actively seeking other donors as well. Thank you for your support! Donate or join our team here.  Use code EARLYBIRD for 50% off registration by September 2.

If you don’t ride, please consider a donation to the SCBA team or to the South Coast Bikeway.  Funds raised will be used as matching funds for design, engineering and build grants to complete the South Coast Bikeway, a planned cycling route from Rhode Island to Cape Cod Canal. The Goal for team SCBA is $30,000. This is sufficient to meet the required match for a MassTrails grant of $120,000. We have projects in Westport and Dartmouth in mind but more coordination with those communities is needed to determine the exact needs.

SCBA is an 501c3 organization whose mission is to assist our member communities in completing their portion of the South Coast Bikeway. Our team has raised over $25,000 for the Buzzards Bay Coalition over the last 7 years. Let’s make this our best year yet by supporting our two causes.

One Ride Two Great Causes!

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Dear cyclist – JOIN “TEAM SOUTH COAST BIKEWAY” to support both CLEAN WATER 💧in Buzzards Bay, and also, SAFE CYCLING🚲 in the South Coast!

Thank you so much for participating in the Pedal for the Path in prior years, and for supporting the South Coast Bikeway Alliance’s (SCBA) ongoing efforts to build a multi-use path connecting Providence to the Cape. Your funding is appreciated and we are having an impact! 

We write for two reasons: to let you know that we are not organizing a ride this year though we have information about how you can ride locally and financially support us, and to offer an update on recent bikeway progress.

  1. While there will be no Pedal for the Path this September, you can support the SCBA by riding in the October 1 Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride. While the main purpose of this ride is to support the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s efforts for clean water in Buzzards Bay, the SCBA has been given permission to “piggyback” on their fundraising. Whatever you raise for Buzzards Bay will be matched by (still-to-be determined) donors to the SCBA. Over the past several years, our SCBA Team has raised $25,000 for the Buzzards Bay Coalition. Help us raise $30,000 this year! This is sufficient to meet the required match for a MassTrails grant of $120,000 to fund further design and engineering of the remaining South Coast Bikeway.

To encourage you to ride, the Buzzards Bay Coalition will offer a 50% registration discount if you sign up for the SCBA Team, by September 1. Use code EARLYBIRD. You can choose from 35-, 75-,  or 100-mile routes, and will enjoy food trucks, beer, and live music at the finish. (See link for details.) Ride with us! Wear your Pedal for the Path T-shirt! 

  1. As for the updates, progress is considerable. We have completed two ”Closing the Gap” feasibility studies that identified routing options for the remainder of the South Coast Bikeway, analyzed the costs and benefits of each, and are ready for the design/build phase. Thanks to those of you who offered suggestions in the various open meetings, and thanks to Westport, Dartmouth, and New Bedford for Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds, BayCoast Bank funds and to the Commonwealth for a Mass Trails grant. 

More trail news…We especially call your attention to this from Mattapoisett: Ribbon cutting! New Trail Segment Opens! – South Coast Bikeway. This segment is just gorgeous – if you have not ridden it yet, put it at the top of your list. 

If you are not able to support the SCBA by riding in the Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride, you can still donate.  Details here: https://southcoastbikeway.com/support/. Or simply mail a check to the SCBA c/o SRPEDD 88 Broadway, Taunton, MA 02870. Thank you!

Want to learn more about our past Pedal for the Path events?