Local Lehigh Valley Bicycle Racing History

A Look Back at Bicycle Racing History

in the Lehigh Valley

Racing - Events - Organizations

Updating this piece regularly

Gotham Cup Race

The Gotham Cup Race was held every year from 1971. In 1976 the race date was moved to Saturday of the Memorial day weekend. Races were held in Allentown at the Lehigh Parkway on a 4.1 mile loop. A true road loop that fit in with other famous races held that weekend (Somerville & Nutley Classics.) Some of Americas finest road riders participated, here is a list of winners - a true who's who of great road riders of that time.

In 1989 the race was held on the road course around Rodale Organic farm in Maxatawny. This was the old PA State road race course for many years. It was a US team selection race in 1989 and I am sure you will recognize the winner!

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The Lehigh Valley Cycling Community has much to thank Bob Rodale and his wife Ardith. Without their generosity and desire to create community cycling facilities the Valley would not be known as a bicycling hub for the whole U.S. Racing and development were a bedrock of Bob's desire, a place where anyone could learn and appreciate the benefits of a healthy cycling lifestyle. There were a few others who worked with Bob to accomplish this dream, Gotham Cyclists and Lehigh Wheelman lead by Phil Patrick, Andy Taus, Curt Bond and Lenny Vreeland. The following articles come from that time when the Trexlertown Velodrome was a big time place to go on a Friday night. We had the best racers the country could provide and many other international riders called Trexlertown home in the summer months. As we approach close to 50 years of the velodrome being in operation show support and make a visit to a Friday night race or another night of racing!