Wednesday, January 30, 2013
The Phoenixville Criterium is a go for 2013.
While, to the chagrin of area cycling enthusiasts, the 2013 Manayunk Bike Race was cancelled due to a shortage of funds, borough councilwoman and event booster Jennifer Mayo said yesterday that Phoenixville’s own race will go forward as planned. “The organizers have assured us that our race is still happening,” said Mayo, who added that the Phoenixville leg of the Chesco Grand Prix may actually benefit from the hiatus of the Manayunk race. “As a matter of fact, it might even boost our crowd,” the councilwoman said, reasoning that race enthusiasts, looking for a place to turn to get their fix, might be willing to travel 20 miles west. Another thing that might bolster the race is this: while last year’s event wasn’t officially approved by …
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
On July 11, 2013, the Phoenixville Criterium will return for a second year.
Though critics complained that June’s inaugural Phoenixville Criterium suffered from too much heat and too little planning, the borough will reboot the race for a 2013 return, the council decided at last night’s meeting. Despite concerns raised by one member, the borough council ultimately unanimously approved a July 11, 2013 date for the race. West Ward member Dana Dugan expressed frustration with the execution of last year's event and wondered why the council had to vote to approve its sequel ten months before the starting gun. Borough manager Jean Krack said the date isn't set in stone, and reminded Dugan that the problems with last year's race were in part a function of short notice. After the vote, Middle Ward representative Jenn Mayo…
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Though attendance underwhelmed, organizers say they view the borough as a race site with great potential.
Despite the oppressive heat and logistical tangles that checkered this year’s inaugural Phoenixvile Criterium, organizers are expectant that the race will return to the borough next year. “We’re going to sit down and do a formal debriefing in a couple weeks, but right now everybody is on board to do it again,” said borough council middle ward representative Jenn Mayo, who spearheaded the effort to land the race. Mayo, who called the cycling event a huge success, did admit that there are some aspects that require improvement. The streets were nearly empty before a late influx of spectators coincided with the start of the professional portion of the race, and several businesses complained to Patch that the event not only failed to boost …
Friday, June 29, 2012
A rundown of how traffic and parking in the borough will be affected by the race.
On Saturday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Phoenixville Criterium–the third leg of the inaugural Chesco Grand Prix cycling series–is coming to the borough. The 1.3 mile course begins (and ends) at 220 W. Bridge Street, turns left on Main Street, makes a sharp left onto Vanderslice Street, hangs right onto Franklin Avenue, right onto High Street, turns right back onto Main Street, then goes right on Church, right on Gay, and right on Bridge. To accommodate the cyclists, and the influx of spectators that are expected, the borough has posted some changes to the typical parking and traffic schemes. On race day, all parking downtown is free, and the lots will be marked as such There will be no parking on the course from 11 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. Bridge …
Thursday, June 28, 2012
The race, which will come to Phoenixville on Saturday, started in Oxford on Thursday.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
The organizers of the race still need 15 course marshals to ensure spectator safety.
The organizers of Saturday’s eagerly anticipated Phoenixville Criterium are looking for 15 volunteer course marshals to help manage the race, borough councilwoman Jenn Mayo said. The marshals will be asked to report to the 220 W. Bridge Street starting line at 12:45 p.m. the day of the race and will, from there, be stationed at the course's intersections with whistles to stop spectators from crossing as the riders pass. “Also they will be responsible for letting cross traffic and pedestrians cross during times when racers are not going through.” Mayo told Patch in an email. Mayo, who added that Giant or Acme may donate refreshments for the volunteers, said that anyone interested in signing up to help can reach her at 484-753-2515.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
The borough council approved a course for the June 30 Phoenixville Criterium on Tuesday night.
It took six months, four separate versions of the course, and a few sleepless nights, but it’s finally settled: Phoenixville is getting a bike race. On June 30 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Phoenixville Criterium–the third leg of the inaugural Chesco Grand Prix cycling series–is coming to the borough, the council unanimously decided at its regular meeting on Tuesday night. The final sticking point the body resolved was the race's course. Middle ward representative Jennifer Mayo–who’s been a vocal advocate of bringing the criterium to Phoenixville, calling the race “her baby”–said the new course is a win for all parties. “We heard some concerns from local businesses about access from the northside and also some concerns from businesses on the …
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
The bike race is scheduled for June 30 at 2 p.m.
The Chesco Grandprix–the first annual bike racing series that’s tentatively scheduled for a June 30 date in Phoenixville–took another large step towards becoming reality on Tuesday night, as the borough council approved a revised application from the race organizers, pending the approval of police chief William Mossman. The 0.6 mile course the cyclists will circle will begin and end at 220 W. Bridge Street, hang right on S. Main Street, run right onto Walnut Street, then turn right onto Gay Street before making a final right back onto Bridge. The originally proposed course had to be changed because USA Cycling–the governing body that oversees all such street races–adjusted its mandatory minimum street width. The event is scheduled to …
A cyclist
9:04 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
There is no such thing as the Manayunk Race! It used to be the US Pro Tour and changed later. Manayunk is a small part of the course. All were organized by the Pro Cycling Tour out of Audubon. Check your facts next time. more ›