Bike Race Returns This Sunday

It appeared for 10 days in January that the Manayunk Bike Race was dead.  The sponsors and organizers had backed out.

The end.

Starting Fresh

Then, like the proverbial Phoenix, it was back—back with new sponsors, new organizers.

And maybe, most importantly, a new philosophy.

“We’re trying to change the whole dynamic of the race,” organizer Alan Morrison said in April.  “We want to give the race a European feel.”

Act Local

Morrison envisioned a race that was more locally fueled. 

He moved the start and finish line to the Manayunk Wall.  He recruited local vendors and restaurants to sell concessions.

He started a family-friendly block party.

“We want the bike race to be the asset to this community that we think it is,” Morrison said.  “In my dream scenario all of the restaurants on Main Street are open with customers, and the Girl Scouts are out selling lemon squares.”

Race Details

Now, finally, the bike race is here.  The starting gun fires on Sunday, June 2, at 8 a.m.

As always, the bike race is fraught with health and safety issues.  The police have already posted notices and signs across town asking residents to behave themselves.

“We’re going to use all of the enforcement that has been in place in the past with the police and the liquor control board,” Morrison said.  “I really should tip my hat to the residents who have worked together to make changes.”

Of course, roads will also be closed throughout both Manayunk and Roxborough.

According to the event organizers, parts of Ridge Avenue, Manayunk Avenue, Green Lane and Roxbrough Avenue will be closed.

The women’s race starts at 8:30 a.m., and it will consist of five laps for a total of 60 miles.  The men’s race is slated to start at noon, and will be 10 laps for a total of 120 miles.

“The course is shorter,” Morrison said.  “So, instead of the riders coming around every 45 minutes, they will come around every 30 minutes.  Hopefully less down time will help some alleviate some of the issues.”

Also, a first this year, the men and women will split the $60,000 prize evenly with the men’s winner and women’s winner each getting $30,000.

“We’re not going to get everything right the first time,” Morrison said.  “But I think we’re going to do better than last year, and next year, we’ll do better than we did this year,”

To read more about the bike race please see the following links:

• Police Ready for Bike Race Ramp Up
• New Bike Race Organizers Try to Shift Philosophy
• New Manayunk Bike Race Course Announced
• Organizers Cancel Manayunk Bike Race
• Manayunk Bike Race Back on for 2013