World-class cyclists took on the famed Manayunk Wall Sunday as the Philadelphia International Cycling Classic returned to the streets of Philadelphia.
The annual bike race draws big crowds to Manayunk as elite male and female cyclists, as well as amateurs ride the 12.3-mile loop from Manayunk, up Kelly Drive in Fairmount Park and back again.
“Philadelphia is known as a sports city, and we’re increasingly gaining the reputation as a cycling city for professionals and amateurs alike,” said Mayor Michael Nutter.
The 110.7-mile men’s race begins at 8:30 a.m. while the 73.8-mile women's race starts at 12:30 p.m. The winner of each race will take home a $30,000 prize. Amateurs earlier took on two laps of the course.
Plenty of revelers are expected to be cheering on the riders. There are plenty of road closures as well.
Cars must be off:
Ridge Ave. - School House Lane to Hermit Street
Main St. - Ridge Ave. to Green Lane
Levering - Main to tower
Cresson – Levering to Levering
Lyceum – Tower to Mitchell
Pechin St. – Green Lane to Roxborough Ave.
Roxborough – Mitchell to Terrace
Manayunk – Roxborough Ave. to Ridge Ave.
The entire length of Kelly Drive and the inner drive of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 20th Street to Eakins Oval will also be closed until around 5 p.m. Also, expect closures around Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park.