The Daniel Harwi Memorial 28th Annual Lower Providence Spring Classic Criterium, or what I’m going to shorten it to, Lower Providence Crit, is another early season crit in southeastern PA. It’s surprisingly a hard crit to shoot. Not because of the course, or terrain, but because it’s corporate park setting. Don’t get me wrong, it is a great race and definitely well run, it’s just a boring location for a photographer that enjoys the background as much as the subjects I’m shooting. I guess I’m spoiled by the Philadelphia Naval Yard Crit.
Still, it was a beautiful day to shoot. Starting off with sun and blue skies, riders had the chance to race the square, four corner course. There aren’t any major hills, just false flats at various parts of the course. Turn three tended to be where the problems were, with only one other crash during the men’s pro race that was not located here. Ryan DeWald (Team Skyline) and Colleen Hayduk (Argon 18 Racing p/b November & Fast Freddie Apparel) took the wins in each of the pro events.
The Philadelphia Naval Yard Criterium is one of my absolute favorite races to shoot. It’s just something about the old naval base that intrigues me. The mix of old warehouses, machine shops, offices, barracks, and other buildings creates an incredible backdrop for great early season racing. I love the challenge of using the setting to give the event the character that it deserves.
For 2015, Tri-State Velo had to alter the course due to construction along the old route. I was disappointed, because there were some great old buildings on the other side of the warehouse where I was able to shoot some of my favorite shots in 2014. Even with the change, there were plenty of old and new buildings to use as a backdrop, along with the Philadelphia skyline and Lincoln Financial Stadium.
The Philadelphia Naval Yard Crit was one of my favorite events last year. The race is nestled into the former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, which at one time was one of the most important shipyards in the nation. With the evolution of naval warfare, the original shipyard was abandoned and a new facility was constructed on League Island in 1871. Over time, land was reclaimed around the island, connecting it to the shore and creating the Reserve Basin.
During World War II, the shipyard went on to become an important building and repair facility on the east coast, along with continuing aeronautical research at Mustin Field that had begun in the 1917. Research at the facility’s naval laboratory led to the development of the liquid thermal diffusion technique, which separated U-235 for the Manahattan Project.
After the war, many factors led to the base’s eventual decline. Mustin Field eventually closed due to air traffic at nearby Philadelphia International Airport, and ship building began to be consolidated and awarded to private firms. By the 1990’s, most naval activity had come to an end, with a large portion of the yard being leased out to a tanker and shipbuilding firm. By 1995, the once thriving facility of over 40,000 workers had been reduced to a repair and engineering center. In time, many of the buildings fell into disrepair, until the City of Philadelphia took ownership of much of the facility, and began to develop it into a business center. Some buildings were demolished while others are being transformed into modern facilities for a wide range of businesses.
All of that history is what I love about the race. Going into it’s 5th edition in 2015, the the course travels through a mix of urban decay and freshly renovated buildings. The riders pass by many of the historic buildings in the oldest part of the shipyard, including the Chapel, Firehouse, Receiving Station, Enlisted Men’s Quarters, and multiple warehouses, admin buildings, former production facilities. The back drop these buildings provide is incredible. The flat, “P” shaped course has five 90 degree corners, with the start/finish line located where Kitty Hawk Avenue crosses 11th street. Riders who can corner well and accelerate quickly will excel and those who are willing to put in an attack have been rewarded with success in the past. Even with a lack of climbing, it is still one of the hardest crits in the area.
Click here for the full gallery. Sorry for the watermarks. If you are interested in purchasing any pics without watermarks, please let me know and I’ll get the image posted.
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