Black Girl Joy Bike Ride
Photograph by Linette Messina When West Philly’s Iresha Picot realized some of her friends didn’t know how to ride a bike, she took matters into her own hands, launching this free biweekly recreational cycling group in 2023. Her aim was simple: to get more Black women and girls on bicycles. And it’s worked. A year later, Picot’s “gentle” communal rides have fostered a strong sisterhood of riders of all ages and, yes, spread a lot of joy. You can BYO bike to the meetups or rent an Indego free of charge. Head to Picot’s Instagram for ride schedules. instagram.com/ireshadahoodtherapist.
40+ Double Dutch Club
40+ Double Dutch Club’s expert footwork / Photograph by Jeff Fusco This year’s Best Pastime winner started from a 2016 gathering of friends in Chicago and is now a nationwide women’s fitness movement. Sharon Hatcher and Iesha Jackson steer the Philly chapter. “It started off with two friends who wanted to do something that was just for them to have fun,” Hatcher says. “They were in their heads about different things — divorces, kids growing up, all that. They thought back to how they jumped rope when they were kids and how much fun they had.” From that original duo, the club has amassed more than 30,000 members across the country. 40plusdoubledutchclub.com.
Fresh Direct
The website and app are intuitive and keep track of your regular orders. The service is top-notch; groceries arrive at your door during the appointed time slot, with friendly, courteous drivers. The food quality is top-shelf fresh organics, flavorful prepared foods, and vacuum-packed meats that look like they were just shorn from the bone. And its all for about the same cost as a trip to Whole Foods. (Regulars can pay a onetime fee to reserve delivery slots and get free delivery all year.) 00000, freshdirect.com.
Curran's Irish Inn
A great sports bar needs four things: plenty of TVs, killer Buffalo wings, cheap ice-cold beers, and a fiercely sports-hungry clientele. This friendly haunt just off I-95 has all of that, but it also has shuffleboard. Trust us; it just works. 6900 State Road, Philadelphia, PA 19135, curransirishinnbensalem.com.