Wachovia Cycling Series

As I was biking from Center City to Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park last Sunday to go play soccer, I noticed an unusually high number of cyclists wearing team colors. Usually there are a few here and there, but there were tons, riding in packs, very quickly all up and down the river. After reading this Daily News article on a reporter's outing with some pro cyclists, I see that they were probably training and getting used to the course for the 2005 Wachovia USPRO Championship this Sunday.

Now in its 21st year, the Wachovia USPRO Championship is the longest-running and richest single-day cycling race in the U.S. On Sunday, June 5, at 9 a.m., the best professional cyclists will take to the streets of Philadelphia, in front of more than 500,000 spectators. Riders will race down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, on to Kelly Drive and through Manayunk, a total of ten times and 156 miles, to determine who will be the 2005 US Professional Road Champion.

The twenty-one year old annual championship brings out about half a million people, early in the day for a Sunday, to watch them zip by. It's sorta like the US version of the Tour de France, but much smaller, methinks. I remember hearing about it last year, but I didn't go out to watch it. I think that I'll head over to the Art Museum area to watch them zip on the same roads I trek on my hardtail. And heeding writer Don Russell's warning, I'll have to watch out for the flying snot too.

Nine am, Sunday. They'll be going 156 total miles so there should be time for the not-so-early-risers to get out there as well.

I'll now get a chance to take my D70's continuous focus algorithms out for a nice spin. Let's see if it can keep up the cyclists going upwards of 50 mph. I think I'll be using my quicker 50mm f/1.8D for the job.

Comments

[double d]

Isn't it great that a world class event (just like your blog) is in Philly this weekend?

[albert]

world class indeed. the race should be good too. take THAT Philly's most influential blogger! i'm world class, with a double d stamp of approval.

[sixer1]

I'll be there at Levering Street to watch them climb up the wall. In between the 10 trips, I'll be partying.
Hope the pics come out all right.

I search for blog like this long time.You website is very good!I will come next time!