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Author Topic: velodromes  (Read 893 times)

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Offline Ian Schmidt

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velodromes
« on: January 28, 2011, 02:51:11 PM »
How many users here are within reasonable distance of a velodrome?

If you've been racing for a while, how long?

I'm within a 20' drive of Marymoor Velodrome, and I'll be racing track for the first time this year.
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Offline shovelhd

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Re: velodromes
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2011, 03:27:02 PM »
I have never raced track at a real velodrome, although there supposedly is one in NH. I did some races at the old Westboro Speedway, a 1/4 mile bullring car racing track. I broke my collarbone training for those races on the street.

Best of luck to you Hida.
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Offline pjk

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Re: velodromes
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2011, 06:42:44 PM »
I raced about 10 yrs ago and loved it.  Unfortunately I live too far away to do it anymore.  I found the close quarters and speed intoxicating.  It still puts a smile on my face just thinking about it.

Enjoy yourself. 
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Offline kuf

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Re: velodromes
« Reply #3 on: February 02, 2011, 02:20:47 AM »
I've ridden on the track, and even practiced the Madison, which was a bit insane. I never raced though, because you need your own bike for that, and I haven't been serious enough to buy one. Plus, the velodrome is like an hour away.
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Offline ericm979

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Re: velodromes
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2011, 03:30:36 PM »
Hellyer Park velodrome 30 minutes from my house (on the weekend... more like an hour in commute traffic).
Being a light weight low power rider, track racing is not that appealing to me.  But it's fun to watch.
Hellyer has beginners sessions and inexpensive rental bikes.

I was there last weekend.  It was cool to see the fixie hipster kids come by and watch.
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Offline <gmt>

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Re: velodromes
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2011, 08:11:54 AM »
here's one you can buy for your own back yard...


http://www.hipsternascar.com/2009/10/vandedrome-for-sale.html
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Offline urbanknight

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Re: velodromes
« Reply #6 on: February 15, 2011, 03:04:11 PM »
I live 5 miles away from the Encino Velodrome and about 30 minutes from the ADT Velodrome, but I don't ride them anymore because I'm just too darn slow.

I raced at Marymoor before. Although I find it to be an annoying and slow track, it's probably one of the best to learn on because the banking is not steep at all.
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Offline kuf

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Re: velodromes
« Reply #7 on: February 20, 2011, 03:57:52 AM »
Quote from: urbanknight on February 15, 2011, 03:04:11 PM
I live 5 miles away from the Encino Velodrome and about 30 minutes from the ADT Velodrome, but I don't ride them anymore because I'm just too darn slow.

I raced at Marymoor before. Although I find it to be an annoying and slow track, it's probably one of the best to learn on because the banking is not steep at all.

Now that you've moved, maybe that'll be inspiration for getting faster?

Trial by fire is my MO. My first track was ADT. It felt like one of those carnival rides that I think may be called tilt o whirl. Looking left was looking down because the banking is so steep- very trippy at first.
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Offline urbanknight

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Re: velodromes
« Reply #8 on: February 21, 2011, 12:38:52 AM »
After 2 attempts, I've determined that it's not a motivational thing. It's a genetic thing.

I remember my first time on the banking (Encino, so not even as steep as ADT). It was indeed like a carnival ride, just as you say. If you ever get to ride a velodrome backward, that will be a trip as well.
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Offline wens

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Re: velodromes
« Reply #9 on: April 17, 2013, 05:58:52 PM »
Oooh, I'll zombie this. There's one in cleveland now, so i'm less than 20 mins away. And riding on the track is a friggin blast, everyone should try it!
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Offline Krampus

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Re: velodromes
« Reply #10 on: June 04, 2013, 11:42:13 PM »
I'm about 10 miles away from the Dick Lane Velodrome in Atlanta. It's awesome when they don't forget to hose the pine pollen off in the spring. On those days, it's not uncommon to wonder if that first turn is going to shoot racers out like a really gruesome paintball gun.
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