It’s Wilmington Grand Prix weekend.
The bike races return to Wilmington for a 17th year.
It kicks off Friday night with the Monkey Hill Time Trial - a 3.2-mile race against the clock through Brandywine Park. The festivities are scheduled from 5-8pm.
The family-friendly event also includes live music, local food trucks and a beer garden.
Jerry duPhily - one of the founders of the Wilmington Grand Prix - says this first part of the weekend reminds some of another bike race.
"What people say it's very much like one of the rides through the villages in the Tour de France. So it's a big tradition where people just come out to a certain point where the riders will all come by and they've all got cowbells, and they create a big tailgate party and all that,” said duPhily. “Well, that's kind of what we do here, and the racers that come in love it because it's such a cool, unique environment."
Saturday events start at 11am with the Major Taylor Community Ride, which is free and open to bike riders of all ability levels. That’s followed by men’s and women’s professional and amateur racing downtown, mainly on King and Market Streets. The day includes rides, attractions and a course-side café.
Sunday will be the 12th Annual Governor’s Ride and 11th Annual Delaware Gran Fondo starting and finishing at Rockford Park. It takes the riders through a scenic trip through the Brandywine Valley to Winterthur, Hagley, the Delaware Museum of Science and Nature and other attractions.
duPhily says Gov. Matt Meyer will lead the Governor’s Ride.
"He's been involved. He's known about the event for years. And it was funny when he was running I ran into him at an event and said, 'Hey, you know, if you win this year, the Governor's Ride, you gotta lead it. You gotta do the whole thing and he goes. I'm in,' and sure enough, he is in. So that's exciting," said duPhily.
All of the Wilmington Grand Prix events are free to attend.
