Philly’s folding bike race has a dapper dress code

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — One look at the starting line of the second annual U.S. Brompton bicycle championship in Philadelphia will tell you this isn’t your typical bike race.

First hint: tweed, ties and formal wear are the dress code. Second hint: the curious-looking foldable bikes that have a growing ridership in the U.S.

Saturday’s six-mile race also features a Le Mans-style start, where competitors sprint to their bikes, unfold them, hop on and go.

Organizers are expecting as many as 100 riders on the single-lap course in Fairmount Park.

Brompton will award the race’s fastest man and woman with a free trip to the world championships in August at Blenheim Palace in England.