View Full Version : Fun at the ‘ol Velodrome
Louis
06-08-2006, 11:07 PM
Every other Thursday our most active LBS (Big Shark, they are also the Serotta dealer in St Louis) sponsors some races at our “used to be run down, recently cleaned up, but still kind of rough” velodrome. (It’s in Penrose Park in St Louis. The only real problem is that the track surface is pretty rough, especially at the joints in the various sections, and when you ride the bumps are a real pain.) It’s a five minute drive from work so a buddy of mine and I drove by after work today to take a look. It was fun.
There were about 15-20 racers of varying levels so they had A and B races. They started with some mile races (5 laps around) then “unknown distance” (A turned out to be 11 laps, B was 9). My favorites were the “miss and out” where the last guy (there were two gals there also) on each lap has to drop out until there are only two left, then two more laps after that. After that they really started to fool around, with a pursuit race (they just formed the teams on the spot) and finished with A and B all out one lap sprints.
My favorite part was after the first few mile races, when folks started to calm down. You got the feeling (at least I did as a spectator) that yes, there were some competitive people there, but more than that, it was just a bunch of folks who enjoyed cycling. When they were doing all of the different types of track racing it was more like people just thinking about various ways they could play around and have fun.
Louis
That is just so wonderful to see the Penrose Velodrome being used again!!
Joel
Too Tall
06-09-2006, 06:27 AM
It's alive :) GREAT report. Thanks.
WOW.
dirtdigger88
06-09-2006, 07:22 AM
Penrose rocks- I love that place
I pass it on some of my rides- I always have to stop in for a couple of laps around the old track-
Louis- did you know the track was originally in forest park? near Barnes Hosipital and Hwy 40- when they expanded 40 then moved the track to its current location- That would have been what - in the early to mid 70s
Jason
I don't seem to be able to find a whole lot about this velodrome. Kinda sounds like a decent place for local riders; any 'official' events going on at Penrose? Any plans for upgrades?
Tell me more!
--klb
Dayton, OH
Louis
09-04-2006, 07:55 PM
Hi KLB,
Other than the info on the Big Shark web site here (http://bigshark.com/page.cfm?pageid=390) I don't have a lot more to tell you. AFAIK there aren't any other events on the schedule, other than what's listed there. Unless they make a big deal of it, like the four Labor Day races we just had this weekend, it certainly isn't anything worth coming all the way from Dayton for. And to be honest, the facilities really aren't good enough to support more than just a handfull of people. There's no water, no real parking, etc. There would have to be some serious money put in above the $30k (I think that's what I heard) that was used to to get it to where it is now.
Shortly after I started this thread a buddy of mine and I took our geared bikes down there for a spin. It was cool, but the bumps at the joints were a real drag. If I had to guess, I would say that it will likely remain a pretty low-key deal.
Take care.
Louis
Thanks Louis - I do get out to St. Louis occasionally, so maybe for grins I'll throw the track bike in the car (I'll leave the tubies at home and bring the clinkers).
Old velodromes like this are fascinating. Glad to see this one serving a purpose once again. It's fascinating that track racing was so huge at the early part of the twentieth century and every town of any size had at least one track!
I'd kill if they would unearth one somewhere around Dayton or Cincinnati to save a 2-hr drive to Indianapolis!
--klb
It's fascinating that track racing was so huge at the early part of the twentieth century and every town of any size had at least one track!
--klb
it's cuzza track racing pre-dates motorsports and tv atmo.
ask stevep. he was there.
Dekonick
09-08-2006, 08:47 PM
I wonder how much a track like this would cost to build - if land costs were not part of the deal. It doesn't look like it would be too expensive...
Louis
09-08-2006, 09:13 PM
I wonder how much a track like this would cost to build - if land costs were not part of the deal. It doesn't look like it would be too expensive...
Agreed. I think it's the support facilities that really blow the budget.
If we all chipped in maybe Dr Brooks could add one at his place. That way there would be something for everyone at the next gathering!
Ken Robb
09-08-2006, 11:24 PM
some of my San Diego classic biking buddies are having a breakfast-go to the velodrome in Balboa Park-ride some laps and go back to Sterling's for a BBQ and too many margaritas tomorrow. Among othersw JB and Brian Bayliss are signed up. Sniff, I have no 1 speed so I'm left out. Maybe I'll go watch anyway?
Dekonick
09-09-2006, 10:57 AM
Agreed. I think it's the support facilities that really blow the budget.
If we all chipped in maybe Dr Brooks could add one at his place. That way there would be something for everyone at the next gathering!
Seems to me that perhaps (not now) in a few years this might be an issue to push with my county. They have roller rinks for roller hockey, BB courts, football fields, whole soccer field parks, etc... This looks like it would only take the same space as a soccer field. For that matter, they could put a soccer field in the middle and dual use from the project! I think this might be worth pushing.
What surfaces are needed for a track? Asphault ok?
we need something like this in the Balt / DC area - trex is too far...
wasfast
09-09-2006, 02:08 PM
I don't know what the preferred track surface is these days. I've ridden on Marymoor (concrete), Alpenrose (concrete), and San Jose (concrete as I remember). Obviously these are west coast and don't have the freezing issues in the winter which could really damage the track in the Midwest and East.
The problem with asphalt is that it's constantly shedding little rocks which turn into ball bearings for corner traction. It could be sealed but would still have to be swept often I think.
There have been some wood tracks (Vancouver BC was one) but most have deteriorated due to rot and been replaced.
Whatever the choice, it has to be smooth. Proper drainage also helps. Alpenrose is built into the side of a hill, with a goose pond above it. The pond overflows every winter, flooding the track. The earth has moved around considerably with seasons, requiring yearly maintainence before the rebuild about 10 years ago.
I took my kids to a new park in our suburb of Dayton today -- plenty of land to put something in like @ St. Louis. I got to wondering exactly what y'all are speculating - how much?
Agreed - the amenities and subsequent administration would be the burden. If it was just a concrete oval sunk into the ground - there'd be virtually no administration required.
Another thought too... Where is the Vandedrome right now? Haven't seen anything recent. It'd be a nice way for certain locales to 'test the waters' for interest - put it in for a year, see what develops. If an interest in velodrome culture takes root, explore a permanent one.
Speaking of wood tracks - there is one outside of Detroit. Haven't made it up there yet, but hope to soon: http://www.velodromeatbloomerpark.com/
1/8th mile, 44 deg. sounds like fun!
--klb
Louis
09-10-2006, 09:40 PM
Speaking of wood tracks - there is one outside of Detroit. Haven't made it up there yet, but hope to soon: http://www.velodromeatbloomerpark.com/
1/8th mile, 44 deg. sounds like fun!
Those corners are scary steep !!!
I don't know what Penrose is, but I'd guess not more than 30 deg. I know how freaked I was the first time I went around the corners on the high side. I wonder what it feels like at Bloomer...
Louis
Miranda
09-10-2006, 09:56 PM
The National Sports Center Velodrome in Blaine, Mn is super smooth and is made from Afzalia an African Hardwood. The track is also 43/45 degree bank and 250 meter long very similar to the ADT Event Center in LA except theirs is made from Siberian Pine.
Anyway! The track is a blast to ride on and when you full speed into a corner you can feel the g-force pushing you right into the track. It's addictive and a fun atmosphere!
This Thursday evening will be the last race of the season. Races on Thursday nights there has an atmosphere of going to a minor leage baseball game and NASCAR. There are normally a couple hundred spectators in the stands and if they guess who the winner is during the announced races they can win a gift certificate to Chipotle, Applebees or numerous local businesses. Last Thursday they has an exhibition Kiddie Kilo which the kids and crowd loved!
The German firm that built the track back in 1990 expected the track to last 20 years and so far unfortunately it will probably last that long. We figure it has another 5 years left with increasing maintenance but we are trying to raise funds to build a new indoor multi-use facility/velodrome more centrally located in either Minneapolis or St. Paul.
vBulletin® v3.8.7, Copyright ©2000-2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.