The back country roads south of Route 23 are not only hilly and steep, but are just wonderful for cycling.
Along with these features, there are many historic areas and homes.
On my June 12, 2013 bike ride, I stopped for a Cliff bar break and to enjoy the absolute quite of one of my favorite spots near the Reading Furnace Historic District.
A woman was out walking down the road and we struck up a conversation.
She and her husband (both soon to retire) were caretakers of the Pew Family Estate in East Nantmeal and Warwick Townships.
What a fascinating talk we had.
The generation who now owns the Pew Family Estate does not live in the homes full time but live in various locations in the Eastern USA and Canada.
She was walking down to the “big house” to prepare it for the weekend visits from the family, who was coming in to attend the U.S. Open at Merion.
In fact, the woman told me that the Pew Family had some influence in the building of Merion Golf Club.
The Pew Family was the founders of Sun Oil and their fortune funds the Pew Charitable Trusts.