An Insider's Guide to the Best Day at the Philadelphia Cycling Classic
- John D. Eustice
- Aug 18
- 4 min read
In a sporting and entertainment era defined by astronomical ticket prices, cycling stands out by providing a world-class sport that is free to the public.
There are no overpriced nosebleed seats in cycling; it is perhaps the only sport in the world where the athletes pass by the public only feet, mere inches from spectators. Looking directly into the face of a racer desperately fighting to hold on is truly a remarkable experience, much like being ringside at a boxing match right before the final KO blow…without the exorbitant cost of that ringside seat.
A bicycle race is a slow burn. The beautifully colored peloton flashes by, the “whoosh” of the riders slicing through the wind combined with the clicking and clacking of their carbon fiber racing machines creates a sound and feel not found in any other sport.
Breakaways form, teams work together to reel them back, the peloton reforms, and new attacks launch as everyone wonders, "Is this the one that sticks?"
And so it continues for the entire event, building up to the inevitable crescendo finish.
Whether a solo victory, or a mass sprint, cycling guarantees a great finish. There are no tie scores, no boring blowouts. Because, even if one racer, such as the marvelously dominant Tadej Pogačar, is heads and shoulders above the others, there is always the fight for the remaining places, each one a little race of its own.
The Philadelphia Cycling Classic presented by AmeriGas has the advantage of boasting a beautifully designed racecourse, one, with its many laps, that offers a myriad of spectating and cultural experiences.
The Best Places to Watch the Race
The Start and Finish Lines – The Ben Franklin Parkway
The grandeur of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is a fine place to begin our day at the races.
Site of the start and finish of the race (between 22nd and 23rd Streets), the Parkway, presided over by the famed Philadelphia Museum of Art, is the center of race-day activity. Television and radio production, team feed and staging zones, a massive jumbotron to follow the live TV coverage from 6abc, awards stage, follow-car and escort motorcycle staging plus spectator bleachers, it’s all there.
Arrive early to see the women’s staging, getting up close to their brightly colored, bicycle festooned team cars, even talking to the racers, then watch the 8:30 a.m. start, which is always a dramatic production.
A walk down the vibrant Fan Fest with vendors, food, and a beer garden – just adjacent to the Art Museum near the Iroquois statue – is great fun followed by shifting back to the course as it transitions to Kelly Drive to take in the organized chaos of the Feed Zone, another must-see.
In between laps, check out some of the Parkway’s cultural treasures. Don’t miss a run up the Rocky steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Check out “The Thinker” sculpture outside of the Rodin Museum or the gardens of the new Calder Museum.
Then around 10:50 a.m., make your way back to the start/finish to catch the finish of the Women’s race, and stay on for the awards, then the staging and start of the Men’s peloton around noon.
Lemon Hill
The next stop on our journey will be Lemon Hill, about a 10-minute walk from the Start/Finish line. Lemon Hill defines bike culture. The clubs, the shops, the OG fans, in short, the fun and knowledgeable crowd stake out their spots here early in the day.
Both races finish with two laps of an abbreviated course consisting of the Parkway and Lemon Hill, which is where the true victors are decided. Those in the know want to be in on the kill.
There’s a Lemon Hill competition where the racers sprint for points at the top to go toward their chance at earning the coveted King and Queen of the Mountain titles, a jumbotron to follow the live action, food trucks, a Parks on Tap beer garden – the spot is a giant party.
Manayunk and the Wall
Manayunk and its infamous 17% Wall are five miles up Kelly Drive (named after famed Olympic triple rowing champion and father of Grace Kelly, John B. Kelly), which flanks the Schuylkill River. One can walk or ride bikes up and down the adjacent Schuylkill River Trail to follow the action, including a stop in East Falls, home to another party and sprint zone combo.
From there it is on to the certifiable craziness of Manayunk and its Wall.
The approach to the Wall, chock full of local restaurants and shops, boasts a full-on party atmosphere, Philly-style. Fight one’s way through the thick crowds on the Wall for a spot to see the action.
Then catch the 55-mph "Fall from the Wall" descent back down to the river before returning to the Parkway for the dramatic finish.
An intrepid spectator can figure out how to have 28 views of the races throughout the day’s duration. Or follow on a device – you can stream live from 6abc.com, the 6abc app or Hulu – or on the jumbotrons all while enjoying the many attractions the festivities have to offer.
One thing is certain: a mobile approach makes for the best race day. There is no one prescribed way or spot to experience the Philadelphia Cycling Classic, except to make sure you are there on August 30.
About the Author
John Eustice is a pioneering figure in American professional cycling whose influence spans racing, promotion, and media. One of the first Americans to break through in the European peloton, he won back-to-back U.S. Professional National Championships in 1982 and 1983 and later captained the first U.S.-registered team to compete in a Grand Tour at the Giro d’Italia. After racing, he became a leading U.S. promoter, founding major events including the Bucks County Classic, Tour of Connecticut, and Reading 120. Known for his belief in bold “showmanship,” Eustice remains a respected analyst and writer, offering candid, historically grounded insight into the sport.
