About 2,000 Bicyclists to Descend on Atlantic City Next Weekend

A record number of bicyclists will participate in the 27th Annual Irish Pub Tour de Shore next weekend.

About 2,000 bicyclists will participate in the 65-mile bike ride from Philadelphia to Atlantic City on July 27.

The ride benefits the Irish Pub Children’s Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to raising funds for Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey-based children-oriented charitable endeavors.

In recent years, the IPCF hosts the Irish Pub Tour de Shore to support the families of fallen police officers and firefighters in the area.

This year marks the largest Irish Pub Tour de Shore to date, with registration closing in June due to the overwhelming number of riders hoping to take part in the popular fundraiser.

It begins at The Irish Pub on 20th and Walnut in Philadelphia at 7 a.m. and continue across the Ben Franklin Bridge, which will be closed to traffic between 7 a.m. and 7:45 a.m.

Admiral Wilson Boulevard will also be closed eastbound from the base of the Ben Franklin Bridge to Morgan Boulevard from approximately 7 a.m.-8 a.m.

The tented parking lot of the Irish Pub and Inn in Atlantic City, 164 St. James Place at the Boardwalk, will host a “Finish Line Block Party”, complete with a raucous cheer zone, food, a raffle, and ice cold beverages. It's free to all participating riders.

The after party is free to riders and volunteers. A donation fee of $20 is required for family and friends, and the fee for children is $10.

The ride raised $624,000 in 2013, and has a goal of $700,000 this year. The Irish Pub Children’s Foundation will again donate to local police, firefighters and children’s charities.

Last year, the Irish Pub Children’s Foundation donated to over 23 local police, fire and children’s charities.

Such charities included the FOP Survivors Fund, the Atlantic City Police Athletic League, the Atlantic City Law Enforcement Explorers, the Chelsea Little League, Preston’s March for Energy, which built a bicycle for a child with special needs in Vineland, the Daniel Faulkner Educational Grant Fund and additional children’s focused charities in the tri-state area.

The event was created in 1987 by Cathy Burke and Mark O'Connor, owners of the Irish Pub. They were looking for ways to give back to the community and bridge the gap between the Irish Pubs in Philadelphia and Atlantic City.

“Twenty-seven years ago, this ride started out with 20 riders and has now exceeded our wildest expectations,” Cathy Burke, co-owner of the Irish Pub and Chairman of the Irish Pub Children’s Foundation, said. “There is nothing like seeing our riders cross the finish line. The atmosphere in Atlantic City that day is electric.”

Notable participants in this year's ride include Phillies Broadcaster and South Jersey native Gregg Murphy; NBC 10’s Deanna Durante; Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman; Casey Boy of WMMR’s Preston & Steve Show; and Comcast SportsNet’s Dei Lynam.

For more information about the Irish Pub Tour de Shore, including a map of the route, visit the Irish Pub web site at www.irishpubphilly.com.