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Take advantage of 20 miles of city streets being car-free for a day. (Photo courtesy Bike Philly)

You can call this every cyclist’s dream — joyriding through the streets of Philadelphia with no signs of cars, trucks, or buses to get in your way. The only sounds made come from the cranking of the pedals and the crunching of the chain. It may just be bicycle utopia.

So pinch me when I say that this feeling of nirvana isn’t from something I drank but rather an invitation to Bike Philly — 20 miles of car-free and carefree cycling.

Beginning at the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (where else?), traverse the city — through the Ben Franklin Parkway, Chinatown, Old City and the shambles of Headhouse Square — without worrying about any gas guzzlers or the sounds of a roaring engine.

Follow the pack to the Schuylkill River through the rolling hills of Fairmount Park. And after hitting the 20-mile mark, you’ll have the option to call it a day or trek further out, but on (gasp) shared roads! Click here to check out the complete route.

If you’re coming in from out of town, The Embassy Suites is offering a special weekend rate of $159/night. And be sure not to miss the Finish Line Festival at Eakins Oval.

Registration for Bike Philly is open all week. To learn more about the event and all the day’s activities, log on to bikephilly.org.

Four thousand people have already registered. What about you? Grab your helmet; it’s time to ride!

Bike Philly 2010
Sunday, September 12
8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art