PHILADELPHIA -- Back when Carlos Rogers was a kid growing up in Philly, the world renowned bike race that came to be known as Philadelphia International Cycling Classic was the stuff of dreams. And the Manayunk Wall — a grueling uphill climb that was an iconic feature of the course — was right in his own neighborhood.

Flash forward to 1994 when Rogers was 25. He got the professional credentials to be in the race, and at one point, cycling into Manayunk, Lance Armstrong was pedaling right alongside him.

“I said, ‘Hey, man, I’m from Philly!’ He’s like, ‘Oh yeah, hometown favorite!’ It was pretty cool. And I remember climbing The Wall and seeing all my neighbors.’”

Since its start in 1985, the epic race in all its various incarnations bearing the names of its various corporate sponsors drew professional cyclists from all over the world. Olympic gold medal-winning speed skater Eric Heiden was its first winner. Each year, tens of thousands of spectators packed the sidelines of the 14-mile route, waving and cheering, cowbells in hand, bursting with Philly pride.

“It was a thrill,” said Rogers.

But 2016 was the final year. Between rising costs and lack of sponsorship, the 2017 race was canceled. There was never another.

But Rogers, 54, never forgot. Nor did a lot of people.

For the past year, Rogers, now a Center City businessman, has been on a mission — a passion project he believes would benefit cycling and his city:

Bringing back the Philadelphia International Cycling Classic.

“This is not like Field of Dreams — ‘If you build it they will come,’” said Rogers, who owns Hush Salon in Old City with his wife Adrienne. “It’s already been built, and we know they’re going to come. It’s proven to be successful.”

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