It’s bike race weekend in Philadelphia

Expect to see cyclists blazing by this weekend in Philadelphia.  The annual bike race brings in people from all over the world.

Mayor Jim Kenney says the Philadelphia International Cycling Championship has been a fixture in the city for more than 30 years.The race features 38 men’s and women’s teams from 16 countries.  Both men’s and women’s races complete a 12.3 mile circuit through some of Philadelphia most famous neighborhoods, finishing at the top of the famed Manayunk “wall” (a very steep hill).Councilman Curtis Jones says he has his own bike race tradition.”Every time they complete a cycle we ring the bell we yell and scream and they go by so quickly,” Jones said. “Each year we’ve managed with the cooperation of the administration to make it more family friendly.”The event also offers parity in prize money, for the men’s and women’s riders, something Mayor Kenney says doesn’t happen very often in cycling.  The major European races, such as the Tour de France are all focused on male riders.