After a 10-year hiatus, the 14.4-mile Philadelphia Cycling Classic zooms back into the city this August.
The main event — set for Sunday, August 30, 2026 — features elite athletes in both women’s and men’s races throughout Northwest Philly. In years past, the event has drawn thousands of spectators who create a day-long and route-long street party to cheer on the cyclists.
This year, the weekend-long event also features several opportunities for amateur cyclists to participate, plus a free Fan Fest where the first 2,000 fans get a free crossbody bag.
Philadelphians do not shy away from a street party, especially one that’s been missing for the past 10 years. Conclusion: You do not want to miss this.
The Route
Modeled after the Tour de France, the race starts and ends on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, traveling northwest on Kelly Drive to Main Street in Manayunk, where riders must then climb the infamous Manayunk Wall (aka Levering Street), a hill with a 17% grade. Ouch.
Then, the cyclists circle back around through Roxborough for the return trip down Kelly Drive, with two extra side jaunts — up and around Reservoir Drive, back down to Kelly Drive and then up to Lemon Hill before returning to the Parkway.
And then they do it all over again and again and again — making numerous laps before crossing the finish line.
The women’s race — 62 miles and four laps — kicks off at 8:30 a.m. The men’s race starts at noon, with an expected finish time around 5 p.m. after the gents have pedaled 120 miles, approximately eight laps.