Philadelphia, PA - There are other "walls" on the cycling circuit, but no other wall seems to be as synonymous with a neighborhood or a race as "The Wall" in Manayunk that serves as the northwestern end of the Commerce Bank Philadelphia International Championship and Liberty Classic loop.
Staying just a few miles south, in the neighborhood of East Falls, I had the opportunity to take in "The Wall" prior to race day. "The Wall" comprises all of Levering Street and a few blocks of Lyceum Avenue. It is at its tortuous best right before the intersection of Tower Street when it takes a left turn and begins to kick up at a 17% gradient.
Locals and those smart [or crazy, depending on your perspective] enough to bring their bicycles can challenge themselves in a timed effort up "The Wall" on the Friday before Sunday's professional race.
The town of Manayunk itself is a bustling environment that provides unique shopping and dining experiences. Main Street possesses both upscale chain stores like Restoration Hardware and Banana Republic, and 50 or so chic boutiques that offer up the distinctive. The 30 restaurants and eateries either lining Main St. or found just off of it, provide enough choices to keep the most discerning palette content. For the cyclist, two shops, Cadence and Human Zoom rule the roost.
Though many have equated Manayunk to being swept away to a small European destination, it wasn't always so. Locals will tell you that the neighborhood was a veritable ghost town before it was revitalized by its inclusion in the professional bicycle race.
Historically, the Philadelphia neighborhood along the Schuylkill River was originally called Flat Rock. But during an 1824 community meeting the decision was made to change the name to Manayunk, which was derived from the Lenape Indian word "manaiung" meaning "where we go to drink."
The meaning could not be any more appropriate as on race day "The Wall" was lined by cycling fans and party goers alike.
At the staging area on the morning of race day, I headed up to Manayunk to take in the atmosphere of “The Wall” and to meet up with one-third of the Triple Crankset, 53rd Tooth, who drove in from Harrisburg.
Although the temperatures were in the mid 90s, those who lined the street were highly enthusiastic both about the race in front and their drink in hand. The highlight had to be a female bagpiper and a group of male neighbors, who accompanied with cow bell, cheered loudly and in unison, "Clang, Cla-Clang, Clang...NICE LUNGS!" during her breaks.
Aye, nothing says professional bicycle race better than a lovely lass playing the pipes.
As far as the racers were concerned, the look on Laura Van Gilder's (Cheerwine) face says it all.
Photos: Leonard Basobas
1 comment:
Great seeing you there Granny.
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