WEB SITES OF INTEREST
American Track Racing Association
Cycling News: An Overview of Track Racing
Fix Gear
Velodrome.com

BOOKS & VIDEOS
NO BRAKES! Bicycle Track Racing in the United States by Sandra Wright Sutherland

VELODROMES
California
ADT Event Center
Encino Velodrome
San Diego Velodrome Association
The Hellyer Park Velodrome
Colorado
USOC 7-Eleven Velodrome
Florida
The Brian Piccolo Park Velodrome
Georgia
The Dick Lane Velodrome
Illinois
Edward Rudolph Meadowhill Velodrome
Indiana
The Major Taylor Velodrome
Louisana
Baton Rouge Velodrome
Michigan
Mike Walden Velodrome
Minnesota
The National Sports Center Velodrome
New York
Kissena Velodrome
North Carolina
Ashville Melodrome
Oregon
The Alpenrose Velodrome
Pennsylvania
The Lehigh Valley Velodrome
Texas
Alkek Velodrome
Superdrome Velodrome
Washington
The Marymoor Velodrome
Wisconsin
Washington park Velodrome

PORTABLE VELODROMES
Vandedrome

Bicycle track racing has been around since the turn of the century. During the 1920's, it was one of the nation's most popular spectator sports. There were hundreds of tracks accross the United States. However, as the popularity of the automobile grew, the sport fell out of favor, and most of the tracks were demolished. There are only 22 velodromes left in the United States.

Bicycles built for racing on tracks are different from all other bicycles beacuse they have a "fixed gear", and no brakes. Having a fixed gear means that every time the wheels go around, the pedals must also go around. Since the bike has no brakes, the cyclist controls the bike's speed directly through the pedals. When the cyclist presses down on a pedal, the bike moves forward. The harder the cyclist presses on the pedal, the faster the bike goes. To slow the bike, the cyclist relaxes the pressure on the pedals. To stop the bike, the cyclist "backpedals", and may even use a gloved hand to apply pressure to the front tire.

Track bikes are designed specifically for use on the steeply banked curves of the cycling track. The frame geometry of a track bike usually has much steeper angles and is more "upright" than the frame geometry of a traditional road bike. Track bikes also have a shorter wheelbase, and higher bottom bracket meaning, the pedals are fixed closer to the wheel, and have a shorter crankarm for greater pedal clearance on the steeply banked curves of the track.

A velodrome (VELL-o-drome) is the name of a sports venue containing an oval track with steeply banked curves that is used for bicycle racing. Velodromes can be indoor or outdoor sports venues. The large oval track has two long sections called the "straights", which are connected by two steeply banked turns. The area inside the track is called the "infield", and is used as a warm-up area for riders as well as a seating area for competitors and coaches. Around the infield is an area called the "apron." The apron is used as a warm-up area, a place for mounting your bike, or as an exit area in case of an accident.

A time trial is a test of speed and stamina. Individual cyclists race against the clock. The winner is the cyclist that completes the 1000 meters in the fastest time.

Match Sprint races are test of cunning and speed over a distance of 1000 meters. Two to four riders start at the same time. The winner of the race is the rider who crosses the finish line first. Through a process of elimination, riders race in continuous heats until two final riders remain. The remaining two riders compete in the finals. The finals consist of three races. The winner of the event is the rider who wins two of the three final races.

This type of race is not just about getting around the track as fast as possible, there are strategies put into play as racers try to manipulate their position on the track. Some cyclists come to a complete stand still- called a "trackstand", waiting for other cyclists to pass and take the lead. The reason for wanting other riders to take the lead is that this will allow the second cyclist to "draft". Drafting means that the second cyclist follows closely behind the wheel of the first cyclist, causing the first cyclist to do all of the work. The second cyclist benefits because decreased wind resistence allows the second cyclist to conserve energy. Drafting also allows the second cyclist to see their opponent, allowing them to control the timing of the final burst of speed to the finish line.

The Tandem Sprint Race is just like the Match Sprint Race, but it is ridden on tandem bikes, over a distance of 1500 meters instead of 1000 meters.

The Team Sprint race is all about speed. Two teams of three riders each, line up on opposite ends of the track. Each team rides as fast as they can for three laps of the track, with each racer leading their team for one of the three laps. The team that finishes the three laps first is the winner.

The Individual Pursuit is a speed race between two riders. Each racer starts on opposite sides of the track. The goal is to be the first rider to complete the specified distance of the race. The race ends if one rider catches the other rider before they've gone the full distance. If neither rider catches his opponent, the race goes the full distance, and is won by the rider who has the fastest time.

The Team Pursuit is like the Individual Pursuit, except that it involves two teams of four riders. Each of the four riders takes a turn at leading the team. The race centers on the third member of the team. The winner of the race is the team who's third member crosses the finishline first.

In a Mass Start Race, all the racers start at the same time. The first racer to cover the specified distance, and cross the finish line is the winner. Although this is a speed race, teamwork and tactics are equally important. Teammates work together to block, or slow down the field so that their team leader can take the lead and win.

The Points Race begins with a "mass start". The goal is to accumulate the most points over the course of the specified distance of the race. The first four riders who cross the finishing line every 10th lap score points. In the final sprint to the line, points count double. When the race is over, the winner is the one who has lapped the field. If more than one rider laps the field, then the winner is the one with the most points at the end of the race.

Miss-And-Out is a variation of the Mass Start Race. The winner is determined through a process of elimination. The last rider to cross the line after each lap is eliminated from the race. The winner of the race is the first rider to cross the finish line in the final race.

Motorpace is a race in which each rider drafts behind a small motorcycle or moped. Because the motorbikes decreases wind resistance for the cyclist, the times are much faster than in traditional track racing.

Keirin is the Japanese version of the Motorpace. In Keirin races, all the riders on the track try and draft behind a single motorbike. Just before the last lap, the motorbike pulls off the track, and the riders sprint to the line. The winner is the first cyclist to cross the finish line.

The Madison is regarded as the ultimate bicycle track racing event. It is a long event that demands speed, endurance, teamwork and tactics. The race can be anywhere from hours long, to days long. It is a mass start race with the winner being the team who covers the most laps in the alotted time. Only one rider per team rides at any given time. Each rider rides as fast as they can for one or two laps of the track, then another member of the team will ride while the first rider dropps off the track. During the changeovers, the rider coming off the track will throw the second rider into the race with a handsling, or by grabbing onto a special handle sewn into the rear pocket of their teammate's racing cycling shorts.

Racing track bikes is all about speed. Although any form fitting cycling apparel is fine, most racers prefer one-piece lycra suits called "skinsuits", or "bodysuits". The suits are more aerodynamic then a traditional cycling short and jersey because they fit like a second skin reducing wind resistence and drag that can be created by billowing clothes.

Special helmets referred to as "sperm hats" are specifically designed to improve airflow over the back of the head.