The Manayunk Wall is the most dramatic stretch of the TD Bank Philadelphia International
Championship, but for the spectators, it's also an all-day party. You can join in on the fun and
leave your car at home by taking SEPTA's R6 Norristown Regional Rail line, visible in the distance
in this photo. Photo: C. Worthington, Pro Cycling Tour
The 25th running of the biggest and most prestigious one-day bicycle race in the United States takes place this Sunday, and as with the other 24 editions, the place to be for the most dramatic action is Manayunk.
The centerpiece of the 156-mile TD Bank Philadelphia International Championship bike race is the 10 assaults the racers make on the "Manayunk Wall" -- a steep 17% hill in the middle of the race's circuit. In between laps, a party atmosphere rules as neighbors and fans share in the excitement of the event.
The best way to put yourself in the middle of it all is to leave your car at home and take SEPTA's R6 Norristown Regional Rail line. The Manayunk station is located right where the cyclists turn off Cresson Street to begin their climb up Levering Street to the top of the Wall.
To handle the race crowds, SEPTA will run double the usual number of trains on the R6 Norristown on Sunday, June 7. Beginning with the 7:20 a.m. outbound departure from 30th Street Station and the 7:48 a.m. inbound departure from Elm Street, R6 Norristown trains will run at half-hour intervals until the 8:18 p.m. departure from Elm Street and the 8:20 p.m. departure from 30th Street. In addition, the ticket offices at Norristown Transportation Center, Conshohocken, Manayunk and East Falls stations will be open Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the convenience of race fans.
Regular Regional Rail fares apply. Center City residents can save by taking advantage of SEPTA's Weekend Round Trip Ticket promotion; those living elsewhere might consider the One Day Independence Pass, which allows unlimited travel on the SEPTA system for the day.
SEPTA also recommends riders purchase their tickets online in advance at shop.septa.org.
- SEPTA has a special R6 Norristown timetable for bike race day (PDF - requires Adobe Reader)
- Race info from Pro Cycling Tour
Rapid Transit 2009
Leave the car at home and let someone else do the driving this summer. Examiner.com's national network of Transportation Examiners have local and regional transportation covered. Stop sitting in traffic, already.
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