June 2- 8, 2005

fine print

Attention Wallflowers!

by Patrick Rapa

When Philadelphians drink at sporting events, the universe is at peace. It's yin and yang, xylum and phloem: The unbearable fitness of the athletes is balanced by our own reckless consumption and immobility. So when the big bike race comes to town this weekend (www.wachoviacycling.com), we should all perform our civic and cosmic duty by getting good and publicly drunk. But where should we set up camp with our canteens and our paper bags and our blankies? The Wachovia USPRO Championship and Liberty Classic leads its two-wheeled Atlases up the Parkway, onto Kelly Drive, into Manayunk, up The Wall and back. Ten times for the men. Four times for the women. I need a drink just thinking about it. We talked to Lauren Franges — a Bethlehem, Pa.-born member of the Victory Brewing Pro Cycling Team — about where to sit when the good stuff goes down.

Best place to see a cyclist struggle psychologically.
Lemon Hill. You're so close to the finish line, so everybody's getting ready for a sprint.

Place to see bikers going the fastest.
The finishing stretch. Either that or on the descent after The Wall.

Best part of course to see a breakaway.
Right at the top of The Wall.

Best place to see road rash/wipeout.
Right after the finish line. Right there.

Best place to see a bonk.
Just before the finish line. That finish line is tricky, it seems closer than it really is.

Best place to drink with bikers after the race.
We're having a party at Tír Na Nog. Philly is an important race. After the race everybody lets loose and has some fun.

Best place to see a biker vomit.
After the race, in the racer tent area.

Best place to pick up a biker after the race.
Same place.