Independence Youth Cycling is excited to support Guy’s Racing Club at the Philadelphia Cycling Classic Amateur Time Trial, taking place on Saturday, August 29, 2026, on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Philadelphia.
The event brings together the energy of the Philadelphia Cycling Classic, the racing experience of Guy’s Racing Club, and IYC’s growing youth cycling community for a fast, fun, and accessible day of racing along one of the city’s most iconic bike corridors.
A Fast Course on MLK Drive
The amateur time trial will use an 8-mile out-and-back course on MLK Jr. Drive, starting and finishing near the end of MLK before it merges with the Parkway. Riders will head out toward Falls Bridge, turn around, and race back toward the finish.
The course is described as predominantly flat and fast, making it a great opportunity for experienced racers to test themselves and for newer riders — especially juniors — to experience the focus, pacing, and excitement of time trial racing.
Event Details
Philadelphia Cycling Classic Amateur Time Trial
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Registration Opens: 7:30 AM
Location: MLK Jr. Drive / Schuylkill Banks Pergola, Philadelphia, PA
Course: 8-mile out-and-back to Falls Bridge
Format: Individual time trial, riders starting at 30-second intervals
Registration: Pre-registration only through BikeReg, opening in June
Registration Deadline: Thursday, August 27 at midnight
Start Times Announced: Friday, August 28
Field Limit: 200 riders
Fees: $45 adults, $20 juniors
Prizes: Medals
The event is also part of the New Jersey Time Trial Series as NJ TT Cup Race #10.
Junior Racing Front and Center
One of the most exciting parts of this event is the strong set of junior categories. The race includes junior fields for boys and girls in age groups from 9–10 through 17–18, giving young riders a clear and welcoming place to compete.
For IYC, that matters.
Our mission has always been about creating more opportunities for kids to ride, race, learn, and grow through cycling. Supporting an event like this helps connect our student-athletes to the broader regional cycling community while giving juniors a chance to experience a well-run USA Cycling event right here in Philadelphia.
Supporting Guy’s Racing Club
Guy’s Racing Club has long been part of the Philadelphia-area cycling scene, and IYC is proud to support their role in presenting this amateur time trial. Many of our riders, families, and coaches already know how important local clubs are to the health of the sport. These are the people and organizations that keep races alive, create pathways for new riders, and build community across generations.
By supporting Guy’s Racing Club at this event, IYC is helping strengthen the bridge between youth cycling and the broader racing community.
That bridge is important. Young riders need opportunities to see what comes next — not just team practices and youth events, but the larger world of cycling that includes road racing, time trials, cyclocross, mountain biking, gravel, stewardship, coaching, volunteering, and lifelong participation.
What Is a Time Trial?
A time trial is one of the simplest and purest forms of bike racing: one rider, one course, one clock.
Instead of a mass start, riders leave one at a time at set intervals. For this event, riders will start every 30 seconds. The goal is to ride the course as efficiently and consistently as possible.
For juniors, this format can be a great learning experience. It rewards pacing, focus, preparation, and self-confidence. It also gives riders a chance to compete without the complexity of a large pack or group tactics.
USA Cycling Event Notes
This is a USA Cycling permitted event. Riders will follow USA Cycling rules, including equipment rules for each category. Beginner one-day licenses will be available online.
The event includes a wide range of categories, including Eddy Merckx-style time trial categories, senior men and women, masters categories, junior categories, handcycle categories, open disabled categories, and a non-binary category.
Come Out and Support Youth Cycling
We encourage IYC families, coaches, student-athletes, alumni, and friends to keep this event on their radar.
Whether you are racing, volunteering, cheering, or just checking out the scene, the Philadelphia Cycling Classic Amateur Time Trial is a great opportunity to support local racing and celebrate the growth of youth cycling in our region.
More details and registration will be available through BikeReg starting in June. For event questions, the PDF lists Dave Berson as the event contact.
