Philadelphia International Cycling Championship, Sat. 6/7

[Kalidurga]

Philly's International Championship race was almost canceled this year due to lack of funds, but it's back on. Anyone else from TE planning to squeeze into the crowds in Manayunk to watch the guys suffer up The Wall?

[Possegal]

Me me me!! My sister and b-i-l live nearby so we will bike on over and try and find a place to watch. They do this every year so I'll just follow along and do what they tell me.

[Kalidurga]

Ah, I'm envious that they live nearby, it's such a cool area! I have a friend who lives in King of Prussia, so I'm going to stay with her and we're going to take the train to Manayunk. Could you ask your sister if there's a particular spot I should try to stake out?

[Possegal]

I will do so! She just told me last night that the race was definitely on.

We do a course from her house down to the Art Museum and we go through Manayunk. We always want to stop for brunch and sit outside and enjoy the sites, but there is no way I can then get back on my bike and head up a nice hill to her house, with a full tummy. One time we did it by bringing the bikes on my car to Manayunk and going from there. But the longer ride with the hill is preferable.

[Possegal]

Here was my brother in law's reply. I then told him that I didn't think biking was an option for you so what would he recommend for someone taking the train into Manayunk. I haven't heard back yet, but will ask him again.

It's good if you can bring your bike. The route is really beautiful. You also want to be on the Wall for a little. Nice to watch on Main Street in Manayunk, center city along Boathouse row and in front of the Art Museum. Bring her bike. We can give her specifics as the date gets nearer.

[Kalidurga]

Thanks for the info, Possegal. Since my friend isn't a cyclist, we're probably going to just hang out in Manayunk and enjoy whatever festivities the race inspires. And I definitely intend to be on The Wall. Just not sure whether it's better to stake out the bottom, middle, or top.

I have considered taking my bike to squeeze in a ride at some point during the weekend, but I'm sure everyone else will have the same idea and every place I want to ride would probably be packed.

[Possegal]

One more suggestion, this one courtesy of a co-worker who cycles and is originally from Philly. She said she likes to watch the race from Lemon Hill area. She said it is a very nice area and that there is a small hill that makes it easier to see the riders, but without the massive crowds at the Manayunk wall. I think I've biked there with my sister - but I really don't know the names of the areas well enough to be sure. But she said it was in the boat house area, and I've certainly biked around there with her.

[Kalidurga]

Well, I dragged my non-cycling friend Leo up the Manayunk Wall today to catch about four laps of the race. It was hot, it was crowded, but she really got into it, turning to me after the peloton went by on one lap to say, "Wow, it really is exciting when they go by!" I saw Floyd Landis pass at one point, near the front of the peloton at the top of the Wall. Then we got hungry and worked our way back down through the crowd to Main St and got some lunch at Manayunk's best pizza place, The Couch Tomato

Race results from cyclingnews.com, and a few of my own photos (more here):

[Possegal]

My sister, b-i-l and I rode our bikes down from their house into Manayunk. We watched at a number of locations there, walked our bikes up the wall (that alone exhausted me ) the rode down into the city, rode around and caught them at a few places, then back to Manayunk to eat before riding home. It was hot and crazy (the wall really is the crazy place, drunken party!). Were you on the wall when the women's peloton went by and ahead of them a guy on the back of the moto was holding up a dry erase board that said "We passed the men!". I heard on the radio driving back home that it was the first time that has ever happened. I didn't notice Floyd but my brother-in-law did. I needed to spend less time looking through my camera.

I'll upload my photos in a bit, I'm having to resize them and I can't get to them right now.

[Kalidurga]

I needed to spend less time looking through my camera.

I thought that a few times, myself. Watching this was so different than the CSC crit race in Clarendon, which is only a mile-long course. Hanging out for 40 minutes between laps and then having them go by in 30 seconds made for a tough choice-- watch or shoot?

We didn't get to Manayunk until 11:15 or so, I think the women's race had passed by then. Velonews mentions the men's peloton being held up for the women to pass, as does Philly.com. Some good photos here, too (including the Caped Lemonader in his cape, Zen).