Thursday, October 8, 2009

Top Ten Velodromes in the US


ADT Event Center Velodrome Los Angeles, CaliforniaThe 100,000 square foot, $15 million ADT Event Center is located on the 125-acre Home Depot Center campus in Carson, California. The ADT Event Center hosts training and competition under the guidance of USA Cycling, including the 2004 USA Junior Track National Championships, 2004 World Junior Track Cycling Championships, 2005 World Track Cycling Championships and the UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classics. USA Cycling world champion Sarah Hammer trains at the ADT Event Center throughout the year, as well as several other USA cyclists.The ADT Event Center also hosts other competitions, events and cycling clinics for people at all skill levels and ages. For more information on past and upcoming events and results, please visit www.lavelodrome.org.


Colorado Velodrome Association Colorado Springs, Colorado The 7-Eleven United States Olympic Training Center Velodrome was built in 1982 in preparation for the 1984 Olympics in LA. The track is a 333.3 meter track, with a 33 degree banking. Riders love this track for its speed. In 2006, we are happy to announce that we have new lights and are having a lot of fun with them!


National Sports Center Velodrome Blaine, Minnesota Minnesota is lucky enough to have one of the very best bicycle tracks (velodromes) in the world. This track routinely attracts the best track riders from the US and Canada, sometimes even Europe. It's 250 meters long, with corners banked at 43 degrees. The NSC track is a copy of the one used for the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.


Alpenrose Velodrome Portland, Oregon Alpenrose Velodrome is one most exciting tracks in the United States. At 268.43 meters around with a 16.6 meter radius and a 43 degree bank, Alpenrose is also one of the steepest velodromes in the country. The steep banks make races on the velodrome interesting to watch and just plain fun to ride. Alpenrose is still home for the only North American Six-day race.


Lehigh Valley Velodrome Trexlertown, Pennsylvania After careful consultation with nationwide cycling organizations, Bob Rodale began building the Velodrome in 1974 on a piece of land he and his wife Ardath owned in Trexlertown, Pennsylvania. As construction continued and the dream grew, Rodale sought community involvement to optimize local interest in bicycle racing. He achieved this by donating the land and the partially completed facility to Lehigh County in return for the pledge that the county would continue its development. For a 20 year period the facility would be known as the Lehigh County Velodrome.


Brian Piccolo Park Velodrome Fort Lauterdale, Florida The first race held at the Velodrome was on April 17, 1993. The Velodrome has a 333.3-meter concrete track with a maximum banking of 28 degrees. Being located in sunny South Florida where the weather averages 70 degrees from November to February and 80+ degrees the remainder of the year, this bicycle/skating facility attracts more than 3,500 athletes every year.


Marymoor Velodrome Redmond, Washington The Group Health Velodrome officially opened for racing as the Marymoor Velodrome in the spring of 1975. Built with funds generated from the Forward Thrust park bonds, the bill for the first stage of construction came in at a bargain-basement price of $176,000. The original track lacked a railing, lights, judges stand, or even a paved parking lot. The railing was installed in 1976, followed by the landscaped parking lot the next year. The Velodrome's lighting system came next, in 1979. Finally in 1990, the infield warm-up circle was added.


San Diego Velodrome San Diego, California The San Diego Velodrome is a 333.3 meter concrete track with a maximum banking of 27 degrees in the corners. It is owned by the San Diego Parks and Recreation Department.


Baton Rouge Velodrome Baton Rouge, Louisiana This 333-meter smooth concrete cycling track is one of only 15 in the United States. Top cyclists can reach speeds up to 35 mph during competition. However, you don't have to be a world-class cyclist to enjoy the fun and excitement of the Velodrome. The public is welcome to ride the track to get a good workout!


Northbrook Velodrome Northbrook, Illinois Built in1959. Distance is 382 Meters. Surface is asphalt coated with concrete slurry and paint with 18 degree banking.


Honorable Mention:
Velodrome at Bloomer Park Rochester Hills, Michigan
Superdrome Frisco, Texas
Major Taylor Velodrome Indianapolis, Indiana
Dick Lane Velodrome East Point Georgia
Kissena Velodrome Queens, New York
Alkek Velodrome Houston, Texas


1 comment:

Marizle Farizle said...

I was with you until I saw Alpenrose listed over T-Town. Its people and racing that make a track, not its size, construction materials or banking angle. T-town should be at the top!

And no mention of Hellyer in San Jose? The SF Bay is the nation's hotbed for professional cycling. Bike fever spills over to the track which hosts some of the best racing in the country three nights a week.