Written by Jaime Naragon

June 19th

The David Walker Memorial 36th Annual Skyscraper Harlem Cycling Classic, in keeping with tradition, will be held this Father’s Day, June 21st.  Walker, who passed away last July, created a bicycle safety program for children in 1973.  Since then, the race has evolved into New York’s premier cycling event. This year, Rockstar Games has come on board as the new presenting sponsor of the race.

Conducted in Marcus Garvey Park, the race is very spectator-friendly.  However, each .75 mile, 4-corner lap of the Criterium is technically challenging for the riders.  The day begins with a children’s race where, keeping with Walker’s tradition, bicycles will be given to the winner.  Community races then prelude the amateur and women’s race.  The day concludes with the Professional Men’s Mayor’s Brotherhood Cup, won in the past by riders such as George Hincapie, Danny Clark, and Mike McCarthy.  Last year, Eric Barlevav (TIME) took the victory, narrowly outsprinting Rashaan Bahati (Rock Racing), Jake Keough (CRCA/Sakonnet Technologies), and Freddy Rodriguez (Rock Racing).

Send your race information to andrew@missingsaddle.com