Track

Many of our riders start their cycling experiences on the track and we are fortunate to have the Ed Rudolph Velodrome in Northbrook. The programs at the velodrome are insured and sponsored by the Northbrook Park District, and most of our coaches and riders can be found there Wednesday and Friday nights in the summer.

What is track racing?

Track is the oldest type of bike racing, and dates to at least the 1870s! Racers ride bikes built specifically for track racing around fixed courses called velodromes. There are many different types of track races, including team and individual events, and races of different lengths. Although track racing is less popular than it once was (track races in the early 20th century attracted thousands of spectators!), the track racing scene in the Chicago area is active and vibrant, with races happening regularly at the Ed Rudolph Velodrome in Northbrook and the Washington Park Velodrome in nearby Kenosha, Wisconsin.

For current information on track racing at the Ed Rudolph Velodrome, check out the Facebook groups for Track Racing at the Ed Rudolph Velodrome and Beginning Cycling Training at the Northbrook Velodrome.

Wednesday nights at the Ed Rudolph Velodrome are focused on skills and some fun games, while older kids can stay later for more specific coaching and training. On Friday nights riders get lap times, then typically have a combination of both team races and individual races. There is a wide range of abilities and everyone gets to race. A track bike is not a requirement.

For riders looking for higher levels of training and competition, we usually have some specific training on Saturdays over the summer on an ad-hoc basis, and older riders wishing to do USA Cycling track events can compete on Thursday nights (organized by the Northbrook Cycling Committee), or at the Kenosha Velodrome on Tuesday nights.