Everything you need to know about Sunday’s Philadelphia International Cycling Classic

This year’s Philadelphia International Cycling Classic will feature a renewed focus on women cyclists. The Women’s World Cup Race is returning to Philadelphia for the first time after 2001. And for the first time ever, that race will the feature of the day. 

We’ll be live blogging the race all day, so check back for the latest info. 

 

The race will open the course early at 6 a.m. for a recreational ride on the 12.3 mile circuit. (Rumor has it Lisa Nutter will be among the participants.) The ride will start and finish at Sedgley Drive and Lemon Hill Drive and riders will be allowed to make as many laps as possible between 6:45 and 8 a.m. 

The Men’s Race will take begin at 8 a.m. and will include nine laps for a total 110.7 miles/173 km. It will end at noon.

The Women’s World Cup Race will begin at 12:30 p.m., and will include six laps for a total of 73.8 miles/115km. It will end at 3:45 p.m..

The winner of each of the men’s and women’s races will receive a prize of $30,000. Prizes will also be doled out for KOM, QOM, best sprinters, best young riders.

Sunday’s event will expect around 50 teams from all over the world, including 160 women and 230 men. Competing Teams such Velocio-SRAM, which ranked second in the world last season, and renown teams such as Alé-Cipollini will bring strong competitors to the race this year.

The 2013 and 2014 champions from America, Giorgia Bronzini of Wiggle Honda and Evelyn Stevens of Boels Dolmans respectively, will both be competing again in 2015.

Where to Watch

The cycling course offers an exciting set of locations to get close to the thrill of the race. As per tradition, the start and finish line for the race is the top of “The Wall” on Lyceum Avenue in Roxborough.

The Sprint Zone located on Kelly Drive and Midvale Avenue will offer a view of the racers at their highest pace.

Other prime places to enjoy the race are Main Street in Manayunk and the East Falls Block Party (which takes places as Midvale Ave. near Kelly Drive).

Lemon Hill offers a spot to picnic with a view of the cyclists racing away to win their title. A jumbotron showing the race will also be available here.

You can also head to the “Feed Zone” on Reservoir Drive at the Strawberry Mansion softball fields, where cyclists will drop by to fuel up.

Entertainment along the course will include music by Worldtown, magic by Peter Pitchford Magic by Manipulation, juggling and stilt walking by Dick Rainer Entertainment, and accordion by John Collins.

Road closures and travel info

No Parking signs will be posted starting Friday, June 5 at 7 a.m. through Sunday, June 7 at 8 p.m. 

Cresson St. to Pechin St. on Lyceum Ave., no parking from Friday at 7 a.m. until Sunday at 8 p.m. Street closure begins on Sunday at 5:30 a.m.
Lyceum Ave. from Manayunk Ave. to Pechin St. will be closed starting Saturday at 7 a.m. until Sunday at 8 p.m.
Lyceum Ave. from Pechin St. to Mitchell St. will be closed starting Saturday at 7 a.m. until Sunday 8 p.m.
Manayunk Ave. from Green Ln. to Lyceum Ave. will be closed to public traffic on Sunday from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p,m.
Pechin St. from Green Ln. to Lyceum Ave. will be closed to public traffic on Sunday from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Main Street will start to be cleared and closed at 3 a.m. on Sunday

The rest of the course closure will start at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Public transportation functioning on day of the race includes SEPTA Regional Rail’s Manayunk Norristown line. Simply get off at the Manayunk stop and walk to your destination (The Wall or Main Street). Otherwise, take Manayunk Morristown Line to the Wisshickon or East Falls stops to catch more viewpoints of the race.

SEPTA suggests purchase of the Independence Pass. At $12 (with a $29 family pass available) the Independence Pass offers one-day of unlimited travel. More information can be found on SEPTA’s website.

You may also take the 38 bus to the Art Museum stop and walk towards Fairmount Park and Kelly Drive section of the spectator’s area.

The special schedule includes:

Added inbound service towards Manayunk & Center City:

Service will operate every 30 minutes from Norristown Transportation Center to Manayunk and continue to Center City between 7:43 a.m. and 6:43 p.m. Service will also operate every hour at Elm Street and Main Street Stations between 8:10 a.m. and 6:40 p.m.

Added outbound service towards Norristown (Elm St.)

Service will operate every 30 minutes from 30th Street Station to Manayunk between 7:26 a.m. and 6:26 p.m.

The following SEPTA Bus Routes will operate on a temporary detour the day of the event:

Routes 9, 27, 32, 38, 38, 61, 65, 124/125, K, and R

Customers can check system status before and during the race for specific detour information.

Bike valets will be available throughout the course.