The Harlem Skyscraper Cycling Classic is an annual bike race in the historic Mount Morris district in Harlem.  The race occurs every Father’s day in June and has been going on for 46 years!

The race has 6 events from amateur up to professional level.  Competitors race around Marcus Garvey Park and distances include 15 laps, 20 laps, 45 laps and 50 laps.  There are also 2 times 50-minute races.  Recently the event has ended the day on a fun note with a Brompton Bike race.  All athletes must be outfitted in their ‘work’ clothes and set-up their bikes as if they were racing to work in the morning commute.  

Races begin at 9am and everything finishes at 3pm.  I would suggest staying to watch a few of the heats or go back and forth between any of the nearby restaurants for drinks and a snack and make a day of it.

A few places I would recommend are Barawine for wine and tapas, Sottocasa for delicious Neapolitan style wood fired pizza or Sugar Hill Creamery for dessert.

There are plenty of great vantage points along the course.  Visitors can sit on the sidewalk around the perimeter of the park or head inside and hang out in the grass under some shady trees.  If you know a few people in the neighborhood, definitely hit them up and hang out and drink wine on their classic brownstone apartments.