Is the Manayunk Wall coming back?

[merckxman]

An effort to bring back the Philadelphia International Cycling Classic is underway, https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle...wned-bike-race
Maybe for 2025.

I saw the race 2x, spectating along the wall was a road racing classic experience.

[glepore]

Carlos owned a bike shop for a long time-Bicycle Therapy. Great place.
What drove the race out of Philly was a combination of the city wanting to be paid for police overtime and some mismanagement. But yes, it was a great event.
The Wall was cool-had a friend with a house a block away. But after he moved, we moved the party to Lemmon Hill-you could spread out a full on picnic with a popup tent etc and have something to do between laps.

[trener1]

I sure hope so, I went to the race about half a dozen times, I would bring my bike and split my time between the wall and lemon hill, had some great parties on Lemon hill.
I would love to be able to bring my kids now.

If they could time it to be a week before the Baltimore race that would be a great incentive for the euro teams to come over.

[C40_guy]

My uncle and cousin ran a bikeshop in Manayunk named after the race - The Wall. While I never saw the race, or even rode the hill, I did drive it a few times and could not believe that people could cycle up it!

[dmitrik4]

That would be great; I got into bikes after we first moved away from Philly so I’ve never seen it live but would love to see it return.

[trener1]

Originally Posted by C40_guy

I did drive it a few times and could not believe that people could cycle up it!

I rode it once (the wall not the race) and actually I had the opposite thought, with all of the hype I was expecting it to be super hard, but it wasn't really all that tough.
Now doing it after 150 miles at race pace is of course a different story, but really as far as climbs go it wasn't that tough, hence the race was mostly won by sprinters (and also the fact that it was pretty far from the finish).
It still made for great spectacle and parties though.

[dcama5]

My wife and I attended one year and rode the course with other cyclists before the race started. I cannot remember the year - quite a while ago. Funny thing about the wall is that you are on a street perpendicular to the wall and it turns 90 degrees to the left to go up the wall, but it doesn't gradually increase in steepness. It is pretty steep from one inch after the turn, like the corner of a box. The race was in a nice part of Philly overall and we enjoyed it. May go back if it comes back.

Dave

[robt57]

Lemon Hill baby!

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by dcama5

M The race was in a nice part of Philly overall and we enjoyed it. May go back if it comes back.

Lots of good mountain biking nearby too...

[vespasianus]

Originally Posted by C40_guy

Lots of good mountain biking nearby too...

The PA MTB scene is way under-rated.

Saw the first core-states race and many after. Except for a stretch in the middle 90's I think I went every year. Was a great time and a Philly tradition.

[AngryScientist]

Oh man, I would love if this came back.

I used to go every year with a pal of mine. We really had a blast partying with the locals, drinking all day and watching some good racing.

[EliteVelo]

Originally Posted by C40_guy

My uncle and cousin ran a bikeshop in Manayunk named after the race - The Wall. While I never saw the race, or even rode the hill, I did drive it a few times and could not believe that people could cycle up it!

Mr. LeVitt?

Met him many times. Great guy.

It's not as bad as it looks. I lived in the outskirts while at Temple U. Raced it in '85. It's just steep over 250ft in about a half mile. I've seen guys riding it in their 54. That said, after all the laps, it gets evil.

Ironically enough Steve Bilenky made me my first custom road bike, called his "Sterling", with Reynold's 753 which he built at his first shop under the RR tracks in Manyunk.

Good memories, Good times. Hope the race comes back.

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by EliteVelo

Mr. Levitt?

Met him many times. Great guy.

Yep. Bought me my first road bike when I was 13, an Atala Competition.

Sold me my first mountain bike many years later, at the store, a Wicked Fat.

He was a character.

His advertising agency in Philly was the model for the firm in the series thirtysomething. And there was some of him showing in Eliot.

[samwell187]

the wall itself never went away but having the race again will be a welcome return

[nickl]

Originally Posted by merckxman

An effort to bring back the Philadelphia International Cycling Classic is underway, https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle...wned-bike-race
Maybe for 2025.

I saw the race 2x, spectating along the wall was a road racing classic experience.

Great race. Attended as a spectator on several occasions. What’s interesting is the news source for this story. ‘The Star’ based in Penang Malaysia?