The Schuylkill Challenge and Phat Philly Phlyer
Cycling groups from the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University co-host collegiate bicycle racing in Fairmount Park this weekend: Schuylkill Challenge on 11 March from 8 am to 4 pm; and Phat Philly Phlyer on 12 March from 8 am to 4:30 pm. Participants can register online.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Adrian Gerrits or Joe Kopena
University of Pennsylvania Cycling Club and Drexel Cycling Club
Phone: Adrian: 917-817-7992, Joe: 267-738-2278
Email: Adrian: superman_xc@hotmail.com, Joe: tjkopena@cs.drexel.edu
Website: http://dolphin.upenn.edu/~cycling/index.htm
The University of Pennsylvania and Drexel to host The Arkema Group Schuylkill Challenge Bicycle Race
Philadelphia, PA: Saturday March 11 & Sunday March 12, 2006
The University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University are co-hosting the Arkema Group Schuylkill Challenge Bicycle race at two locations of Fairmount Park on March 11 and 12. Saturday’s races will take place along Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd (ex-West River Drive) and up to the Memorial Hall area via Black Road and Lansdowne Drive from 8:00am until 4:00pm, with a Team Time Trial sponsored by Trophy Bikes and a circuit race. Sunday’s races will take place at the Lemon Hill – Sedgley Drive loop across from Boathouse Row from 8:00am until 4:30pm. Hundreds of collegiate racers are expected to attend the event from many schools including Penn State, Princeton, Harvard, University of Vermont, and University of New Hampshire. Local racers will also have USCF events on Sunday afternoon. Spectators can expect a format similar to the Wachovia U.S. Pro Championship Race held here in Philadelphia every June. This is a family-friendly event intended to promote the cycling culture of Philadelphia, the health benefits of exercise, and some white-knuckle competition between rival schools. The University of Pennsylvania and Drexel have some fast male and female racers that are easily in contention for wins. Come out and support your local collegiate teams!
The hosts, the Fairmount Park Commission, and Philadelphia Police have all agreed that for safety reasons, these roads will be closed off on their respective days only, and will re-open following the race. All necessary permits have been issued.
Saturday Road Closings:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd between Falls Bridge & Spring Garden St. Bridge
- Chamounix Dr. between Greenland Dr. and Ford Rd.
- Black Rd
- Lansdowne Dr. between Black Rd. and Sweetbriar Ln.
Sunday Road Closings:
- Sedgley Dr. between Poplar St. and Girard Ave.
- Lemon Hill Dr.
UPenn Cycling and Drexel Cycling are student-run clubs under the auspices of USA Cycling Federation. They offer cycling instruction, recreational riding, interscholastic competition, and networking to the students who are involved.
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