So much stuff to do in Brewerytown, and the bike race is always fun! a QUICK walk to lemon hill and you're at the heart of the bike race. This is where all the shops set up and the party is.
"I have a FEVER...and the only prescription is more cowbell"
Yes, this year I made it out to my very first Philadelphia International Cycling Championship. I've been a fan of cycling for a while, and while I knew of existence before, I never made it out before this year. Now that I live in Philadelphia, I have no excuse, so I went.
I lined up along the Ben Franklin Parkway at about 8:45 in the morning to watch the start. Before the race even began, my arms were loaded with free stuff from sponsors. I had TShirts, a backpack, water bottles, etc., and of course the all mighty cowbell. If I didn't ride my bike there I could have made away with some serious bounty.
Once the starting laps were done and the race really got underway, I made my way up to Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park to catch some hill climbing action. I ended up staying there the rest of the day, and had a blast. I got there at about nine thirty, and there was a decent crowd, but it grew and grew as the day went on. As the racers got more and more exhausted as the race went on, the crowd bigger and more into it. It makes for a great atmosphere.
Some sections are really popular, crowded, and loud, while there are plenty of portions which are more calm and quiet. No matter where you go, you shouldn't have any trouble finding a good spot up front. I understand that the most popular place to watch the race is in Manayunk along "The Wall", but I wasn't there, so I can't say much about it. I can say that in Fairmount Park there were plenty of awesome spots. I may have to check out Manayunk next year though!
A word to the wise: no matter where you go, bring lawnchairs, a radio(for race coverage), a cooler full of beer, and a grill. Stake out a good spot in the shade, and you've got an awesome day lined up. I'll be better prepared for next year, although venders were plentiful and they weren't gouging. In fact, freebies were pretty much the theme all day.
I met tons of great people all along the route, who came from all over the place to see the race. Many had great stories about prior years, other races, and just cycling in general. People really do embrace this race.
This is the supreme bicycling event in North America, and is guaranteed to entertain hardcore and casual fans alike... and it's free and easy to get to.
Also, if you have a bike, you may ride the course for free between 7:15 and 8:45 in the morning. I haven't tried it, but it could be a cool prelude to the race. Wouldn't it be fun to challenge Manayunk's infamous wall yourself?
The regions premier cycling event. Its awesome. Watching these guys go balls to the wall on the wall is as inspiring as it gets for an amateur cyclist like myself. Its a fun filled day and the beer flows like water. Last year had to be about 100 degrees. Watching them fly down Ridge made me think of being on a roller coaster.
Go. Bring a friend, heck, bring two. Bring a backpack full of beer and a few bucks to spend at a bar in between the laps. Its going to be a fun day and you are going to see some grade A athletes ripping it up. Watch the womens race too. They can be more intense on the wall when it comes to attacking.
This is a 10 Stars if we've ever had one. Why is this so important? Because it puts Philadelphia on a world stage. There is no other event that has the ability to put our city onto a world wide stage. It is unique to Philadelphia and a world class event in sporting.
A Super Bowl will NEVER be played in Philly. World Series' only come every 30 years in Philly. NBA Championships.... not since '81 and still counting. Stanley Cups...... not since the 70's and still counting. The Cycling Championship in Philadelphia happens EVERY YEAR. That is so important to the uniqueness and viability of our city.
My first Cycling Championship (at the Wall) was watching Lance Armstrong accelerate up "The Wall" at rocket speed. Hell, I even remember the first time I watched it on TV it was the 7/11 Championship Race (wow, that's wayyyyy back in '85) and Eric Heiden (Olympic Speed Skating Champion) won the race. Greg LeMond also raced in that race in 1985. It was amazing to watch a world class athlete and a legend perform only a few feet away and its free.
Trust me, make a day of it. Invite some close friends. Bring lots of food and beverage (any beverage) and picnic on Lemon Hill or Kelly Drive. Or you can stand on Main Street in Manayunk and take in the shops and restaurants/bars in between laps. Or you can stand on the infamous Wall and party your asses off, all while watching these amazing athletes push their pain-filled bodies up the steep incline. Trust me on this one, if you've never been to this bike race, it is really an amazing experience. One of the few times that Philadelphia has a European atmosphere.
This is the one time the series needs our help and we need to step up and KEEP THE CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIP IN PHILADELPHIA.
based on 6 reviews
6 Comments
Love this ride!
I'm pumped to do it again!
So much stuff to do in Brewerytown, and the bike race is always fun! a QUICK walk to lemon hill and you're at the heart of the bike race. This is where all the shops set up and the party is.
"I have a FEVER...and the only prescription is more cowbell"
Yes, this year I made it out to my very first Philadelphia International Cycling Championship. I've been a fan of cycling for a while, and while I knew of existence before, I never made it out before this year. Now that I live in Philadelphia, I have no excuse, so I went.
I lined up along the Ben Franklin Parkway at about 8:45 in the morning to watch the start. Before the race even began, my arms were loaded with free stuff from sponsors. I had TShirts, a backpack, water bottles, etc., and of course the all mighty cowbell. If I didn't ride my bike there I could have made away with some serious bounty.
Once the starting laps were done and the race really got underway, I made my way up to Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park to catch some hill climbing action. I ended up staying there the rest of the day, and had a blast. I got there at about nine thirty, and there was a decent crowd, but it grew and grew as the day went on. As the racers got more and more exhausted as the race went on, the crowd bigger and more into it. It makes for a great atmosphere.
Some sections are really popular, crowded, and loud, while there are plenty of portions which are more calm and quiet. No matter where you go, you shouldn't have any trouble finding a good spot up front. I understand that the most popular place to watch the race is in Manayunk along "The Wall", but I wasn't there, so I can't say much about it. I can say that in Fairmount Park there were plenty of awesome spots. I may have to check out Manayunk next year though!
A word to the wise: no matter where you go, bring lawnchairs, a radio(for race coverage), a cooler full of beer, and a grill. Stake out a good spot in the shade, and you've got an awesome day lined up. I'll be better prepared for next year, although venders were plentiful and they weren't gouging. In fact, freebies were pretty much the theme all day.
I met tons of great people all along the route, who came from all over the place to see the race. Many had great stories about prior years, other races, and just cycling in general. People really do embrace this race.
This is the supreme bicycling event in North America, and is guaranteed to entertain hardcore and casual fans alike... and it's free and easy to get to.
Also, if you have a bike, you may ride the course for free between 7:15 and 8:45 in the morning. I haven't tried it, but it could be a cool prelude to the race. Wouldn't it be fun to challenge Manayunk's infamous wall yourself?
Manayunk gets a little ridiculous but this race is amazing. Go see it. Support it. Love it!
The regions premier cycling event. Its awesome. Watching these guys go balls to the wall on the wall is as inspiring as it gets for an amateur cyclist like myself. Its a fun filled day and the beer flows like water. Last year had to be about 100 degrees. Watching them fly down Ridge made me think of being on a roller coaster.
Go. Bring a friend, heck, bring two. Bring a backpack full of beer and a few bucks to spend at a bar in between the laps. Its going to be a fun day and you are going to see some grade A athletes ripping it up. Watch the womens race too. They can be more intense on the wall when it comes to attacking.
This is a 10 Stars if we've ever had one. Why is this so important? Because it puts Philadelphia on a world stage. There is no other event that has the ability to put our city onto a world wide stage. It is unique to Philadelphia and a world class event in sporting.
A Super Bowl will NEVER be played in Philly. World Series' only come every 30 years in Philly. NBA Championships.... not since '81 and still counting. Stanley Cups...... not since the 70's and still counting. The Cycling Championship in Philadelphia happens EVERY YEAR. That is so important to the uniqueness and viability of our city.
My first Cycling Championship (at the Wall) was watching Lance Armstrong accelerate up "The Wall" at rocket speed. Hell, I even remember the first time I watched it on TV it was the 7/11 Championship Race (wow, that's wayyyyy back in '85) and Eric Heiden (Olympic Speed Skating Champion) won the race. Greg LeMond also raced in that race in 1985. It was amazing to watch a world class athlete and a legend perform only a few feet away and its free.
Trust me, make a day of it. Invite some close friends. Bring lots of food and beverage (any beverage) and picnic on Lemon Hill or Kelly Drive. Or you can stand on Main Street in Manayunk and take in the shops and restaurants/bars in between laps. Or you can stand on the infamous Wall and party your asses off, all while watching these amazing athletes push their pain-filled bodies up the steep incline. Trust me on this one, if you've never been to this bike race, it is really an amazing experience. One of the few times that Philadelphia has a European atmosphere.
This is the one time the series needs our help and we need to step up and KEEP THE CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIP IN PHILADELPHIA.