I just heard they are developIng a veladrome in Boulder CO. I am so excited to hear this! I rode on one on PA with my awesome cycling coach, CR, and after I got over the fear of slipping down the slope, I really had fun riding on it. It was so awesome! Has anyone any memories to share about riding on a veladrome?
July 20 - 27, 2024
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Veladrome riding
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Never got into track racing per se, although I have ridden my geared road bike on velodromes in Milwaukee (Brown Deer Park) and Kenosha WI (Washington Park) as well as Indianapolis IN (Major Taylor Velodrome), all of which are paved all-weather velodromes with moderate banking (in the 24-28º range), and the old Shakopee MN velodrome, which was about 200 meters around, built of wood, and featured 58º banking. Now *THOSE* were some serious banks on that bugger!! It might be noted that I was offered the loan of a genuine track bike after proving that I knew a little bit about how to do it, but declined due to self-preservation. Whether I was preserving my physical well-being or my pride, however, is still a subject for discussion.
The first three still survive, but the Shakopee track is long gone now; at the time it was stuck out on a back corner of a property adjoining Canterbury Downs (the horse-race park) and already showing signs of neglect — those Minnesota winters are a killer when it comes to plywood.
I also found a listing of past and current velodromes world-wide; can’t say how comprehensive it is, but it’s a good place to start if you ever want to give the ultimate form of fixie riding a try.
-“BB”-
Had to add — here’s a picture of the old Shakopee velodrome from this site:
Shakopee velodrome
-“BB”-
Unfortunately:
BOULDER INDOOR CYCLING CLOSED FOR BUSINESS:
After significant effort was expended to create a more positive outcome, it is with great regret that we announce the closing of Boulder Indoor Cycling, home to Boulder’s first velodrome, as well as CycleTykes, the area’s best kids’ cycling instructional program, effective at the end of April. We want to thank our customers, sponsors, employees, the citizens of Boulder and the local cycling community for the tremendous support we have received over the past 3½ years and we especially appreciate the opportunity we’ve had to increase awareness in so many different aspects of the cycling industry along the front range.
My best memory is seeing the team pursuit event at the ’76 Olympics in Montreal. Very cool.
I have ridden on the Northbrook, IL track. Raced on amateur night a couple of times as a teenager. They still run USAC races every Thursday night in the summer, but my favorite event is the WISIL Challenge for bent riders only. Coming up July 14!
I’ve ridden on Atlanta Motor Speedway. Does that count? Of course, I was chicken to go up too high on the banking.
KC
Good news! I was wrong. There is a velodrome being built in Boulder county after all.
http://www.bouldervalleyvelodrome.com/