NW Cyclist: Velodromes

It’s not all about the racing

By Jennifer Donahue

Photo at right by Janice Tracy

My oldest son has been fearless on his bike ever since we took off the training wheels. He has been captivated by the Marymoor Velodrome every time we pass it on our visits to Marymoor Park in Redmond.

So when he (then 10) asked if he could give track cycling a spin, I shouldn’t have been surprised. However, I was a little nervous. Kids on bikes with no brakes? Sounds like a recipe for disaster to a protective mom. Still, I had to admit that it looked like fun, so I signed him up for a summer camp at the ’drome.

There was no need to worry. The Marymoor Velodrome Association (MVA) has been offering classes for kids and adults for years, in addition to hosting some of the finest track cyclists in the country during its summer race series. Instructors are experienced track cyclists and coaches who are enthusiastic about bringing new people into the sport.

From March through August the family-friendly venue promises something for everyone, whether you’re looking to test your mettle on the track or just want to kick back and enjoy a summer picnic at the races.

Little track stars

Kids as young as five years old can test out the track with the Pee Wee Pedalers program, as long as they no longer rely on training wheels. The class meets weekly and young cyclists learn bike safety and cycling skills through fun and games.

Older kids (age nine to 12) can sign up for VeloKids for a beginner class in track racing. Track bicycles are provided, so all you need is a helmet. Kids learn how to ride in a group, stop (the tricky part!) and introductory race techniques. Kids from nine to 16 years who have completed VeloKids can move on to Advanced VeloKids to improve their track technique and focus on racing. Kids classes are offered during the summer.

Beyond classes, there are other ways for kids to get track time, and even experience the thrill of racing. The Kiddie Kilo is entry-level racing for kids age two to 12 on the first and third Fridays of the month.

“We mix the kids races in with the adult races and break them up by age,” says MVA executive director Harley Sheffield. “We get a lot of families that come out on Friday nights, some just for the kid races.”

The only requirements are a parent’s permission, your own bike (any kind—it doesn’t have to be a track bike) and helmet. For kids ages nine to 16 who have completed VeloKids and are itching for more time on the track, MVA offers free training sessions to help them build on skills. Once they’re ready to race, they can sign up for the Monday Night Junior Race Series—for prizes—or join MVA TeamZoom, the Junior Racing Team.

Not just for kids

The MVA also offers adult classes, and they’re not just for serious cyclists.

“In the past few years we’ve been getting a lot of brand new people who don’t race but want to get better bike handling skills,” says Sheffield, who notes that the classes benefit people who have signed up for large organized rides (like the STP) because they learn how to ride in groups, pace lines and gain a level of comfort riding close to other cyclists.

And while some people are freaked out by the banking (angle of the track), Sheffield says that Marymoor’s banking is quite tame at 27 degrees (Olympic velodromes have 45-degree banks).

Adult track classes at Marymoor are co-ed or women-only. The classes are designed for all levels and no special skills required. Track bicycles are provided, but not helmets.

New convert

Cindy Choudhry lives in Redmond not far from Marymoor Park. One evening three years ago she and her family were watching the Friday night races at the Velodrome when the announcer mentioned that there was a track class for beginners being held the next day. On a whim, she decided to give it a try.

“I didn’t have any expectations for myself,” Choudhry says. “I just wanted to see if I liked it.” She got hooked, and it wasn’t long before she was racing on a team. Choudhry’s two oldest children have taken track cycling classes as well, and now her husband is racing, too.

Friday nights

Fridays are the big racing nights at the Marymoor Velodrome and the only night of the week admission is charged, but for just $5 (kids under 16 are free), it’s a great night of entertainment.

Besides the Kiddie Kilos, the ’drome attracts some of the best track cyclists in the country. “People come early and picnic all around the Velodrome,” says Sheffield. “On our largest nights, we have 1,500 to 2,000 people.” There is a beer garden, for those of legal drinking age, and an announcer to keep up with the action. If you want to see some truly impressive racing, mark your calendar for the Grand Prix July 20–21 that offers up $15,000 in prizes and attracts national and international superstars.

“Last year we had a number of Olympic hopefuls,” Sheffield said of the 2011 race.

To learn more about what’s happening at the Marymoor Velodrome, including race nights, class schedules, costs and hours of operation visit www.velodrome.org.

Other Northwest Velodromes

The Alpenrose Velodrome in Portland started in 1962 as a dirt track on a dairy farm, but it’s come a long way in the past 40 years. Steeper than Marymoor, at 43 degrees, Alpenrose is one of the steepest velodromes in the country, which makes it a fun place to ride and watch. They offer drop-in women’s clinics and track development classes for cyclists who want to give the velodrome a try. Classes are capped at 30 participants so arrive early! http://obra.org/track

For year-round track cycling, check out the Burnaby Velodrome near Vancouver, B.C. The wooden track is one of only three indoor velodromes in North America. They offer youth camps, junior racing program and women’s clinics throughout the year. www.burnabyvelodrome.ca

The city of Bend, Ore. is in the planning stages of building its first velodrome. The Bend Velodrome Project was kicked off in May 2010 and since then the nonprofit has grown to include five board members. The group will meet with community leaders this year to agree on a site before moving forward with engineers and architects.

~J.D.

 

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