The Manayunk Wall, Philly Bike Race

Philadelphia International Cycling Classic

Cyclists Climb the Manayunk Wall – Photo by Jeff Belonger of MyPhillyAlive

‘Largest Bike Race In North America’

Get your cowbells ready! The Philadelphia International Cycling Classic, aka the Manayunk Bike Race, comes back to town Sunday, June 5, 2016!

The 31st running, which has had many different sponsors over the years, will allow visitors to witness over 180 of the top cyclists in the world take to the streets of Philadelphia neighborhoods such as Manayunk, Roxborough, and East Falls. Get your chance to witness the largest cycling event in North America that takes place annually every June.

Philadelphia Cycling Championship Experience & Atmosphere

Will you be cheering and yelling to encourage the cyclists on the ‘Manayunk Wall’, one of the best spots on the race course! Join 300,000 fans who will be watching hundreds of elite pro cyclists as they ride through our beautiful streets which are enriched with history.

The race route is 12.3 miles long. The men’s cycling race will begin at 8 am and will be composed of 9 laps totaling 110.7 miles.

The Women’s World Tour Race, beginning at 12:30 pm, will be racing 6 laps totaling 73.8 miles.

The Cycling Classic is more than just a bike race, it’s a time for both locals and visitors to celebrate while cheering on the cyclists with block parties, traditions, and just plain old fun along the sidelines as seen in some of our photos below from past Philadelphia International Cycling Classics.

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The Course

The scenic 12.3 mile course starts and finishes at the top of the iconic Manayunk Wall in Roxborough on Lyceum Ave above Manayunk Ave. The course winds its way through Manayunk, East Falls, Fairmount Park, looping around Lemon Hill, with a large portion of the race taking place along scenic Kelly Drive and the Schuylkill River, before returning to Manayunk along Main Street, while making the decent up the famous “Manayunk Wall”.

One of the biggest highlights of the race is at the Manayunk Wall, a 17% grade hill, where it can become a deafening noise of spectators and their cow bells.

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Best Places To Watch

The start/finish line at the Manayunk Wall.
Sprint Zone — located on Main Street in Manayunk at Cotton Street
East Falls Block Party — taking place on Midvale Avenue near Kelly Drive
Feed Zone — located on Kelly Drive in the River Parking Lot near permanent bleachers
Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park
Along Kelly Drive in Fairmount Park
Along the Manayunk Wall | Lyceum & Ridge Avenues
Along Main Street in Manayunk

For details, click here.

Philadelphia International Cycling Championship Extras

Tips : There will be road closures and packed streets, so we recommend public transportation. Using SEPTA Regional Rail can easily get you to the “Manayunk Wall”. There are even fare discounts for one day and for the family. Here are some links to help plan your trip, giving you easy access from and to the city. Manayunk Station & Suburban Station.

Bike the course before the pros! Riders will be able to complete as many laps as possible between 6:45 am to 8:00 am. For more info, click here.

Course Profile ~ Philadelphia Bike Race 2015

Story about our own Michael Chauner from 2012 – Philly Local Cyclist – Michael Chauner – Philadelphia Bike Race