Manayunk Wall


The Manayunk Wall is a steep road in Northwest Philadelphia used by the Philadelphia International Cycling Championship, in 1985, and every year subsequently. The road, a combination of Levering Street and Lyceum Avenue, was located by Jerry Casale and David Chauner and named by Chauner. It begins at Main Street and Levering Street in Manayunk, proceeds on worn stone-paved Cresson Street under the railway, then back on to Levering Street. While most of the Wall is part of Levering Street, it becomes Lyceum Avenue at Tower Street. The steepest section, 17 per cent, starts after a slight left turn at the intersection with Tower Street, and ends at Fleming Street. It becomes less steep as it crosses Manayunk Avenue and enters Roxborough. It nearly flattens and ends at Pechin Street in Roxborough, where news crews broadcast the race. The right turn off Lyceum Avenue onto Pechin Street begins The Fall from the Wall.
O'Brien's Water Hole, past Fleming Street, sprays cyclists with water. It was criticised as a distraction and reduced.
On June 5, 2002, Manayunk named the climb Manayunk Wall. Olympic gold medalist Marty Nothstein presented a plaque.