Fifteen Years of the Ramble
The Revolutionary Ramble was started by the Morris Area Freewheelers bike club back in 2009 after one rider sustained serious injuries on a club ride and received professional and compassionate care from a local EMS squad. The Ramble was conceived as a fundraiser for the dedicated volunteer EMS companies in the region as a way of saying “thanks!” for always responding when the call goes out. Since that time, the mission of the Freewheelers foundation has grown in scope to promote and support a variety of cycling related community organizations, in addition to our continued support for local volunteer EMS squads. Your participation in the Revolutionary Ramble helps to support that mission.
Historical Location
Located between Philadelphia and New York, Morris County played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War. Its county seat, Morristown, quickly emerged as a key strategic stronghold for the Continental Army, offering supplies and abundant natural resources. Becoming a hub of military strategy, the hamlet helped shape the course of the conflict.
One of Morristown’s most notable contributions to the Revolutionary cause was its role as a vital supply depot for General Washington’s Continental Army. During their winter encampments at Jockey Hollow in 1777 and again in 1779-80, Washington’s troops received much-needed sustenance from the region’s fertile farmland. Additionally, they were bolstered by residents, who demonstrated their unwavering support by providing clothing, food and lodging.
Along with provisions, Morristown and its surrounding areas also contributed many of their own townspeople to local militias. Given the town’s proximity to vital transportation routes, these forces often participated in skirmishes that erupted throughout the region. During the famous Battle of Springfield in 1780, numerous outfits from the Morristown area, including Captain Jacob Arnold’s Morris County Light Horse Militia, provided reinforcement and stopped British advancement into northern New Jersey.
From serving as a vital supply depot to providing military aid to Washington’s Continental Army, Morristown’s significance in the Revolutionary War cannot be overstated. Today, the area’s rich revolutionary history continues to be celebrated and shared with new generations.
