2009 Manayunk Street Party

Actually, it's the "TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Race" -- the name doesn't exactly roll off the tongue -- which brings cyclists from all over the world to race through Philadelphia, including the Manayunk neighborhood. The estimate for this year was that 300,000 spectators lined the streets. The cyclists complete ten passes of the course for a total of 156 miles.

Here in Manayunk, everyone cheers the cyclists while drinking beer and ringing noisemakers ( cowbells were a popular free handout this year, from both Saturn and TD Bank). The most popular spot is along the half-mile long "the wall," where the course climbs steeply. Here is a picture of the pack of cyclists starting to climb the wall during one of their first passes:

It was a beautiful day, with sunshine and a high in the low eighties, perfect for a party!