Go Fast, Turn Left

It works for NASCAR.  But — this’ll be a corny statement — what happens when the better parts of NASCAR mix with hipster fixed-gear bicycles and loads of spandex? Track cycling.

This past Saturday, I took advantage of the beautiful weather for a drive up to the velodrome (trans: bicycle/motorcycle track) in Rochester Hills to give track cycling a try.

A bit of history: the Mike Walden Velodrome at Bloomer Park (its full mouthful of a name) in Rochester Hills is one of only 24 active velodromes in the United States. Designed by Dale Hughes and completed in May 2002, the velodrome sees riders from all ages and backgrounds, with a number of national champion racers hailing from the track. Hipsters need not apply.

On Thursday nights and Saturday mornings, the track offers free (That’s right! Free!) ‘Track Cycling 101’ classes for newcomers to the track. The bike, shoes and even helmet are provided if visitors need them. 

Bicycles are bicycles, except on a velodrome. Even though modern road race bikes you see on the Tour de France are made from carbon fiber, with fancy gear shifters and brakes, track bikes take a step back to the early 1900’s. They do away with the frivolities and connect the pedals directly to the rear wheel — no freewheeling on the track!

I’ll admit — I was nervous. I hadn’t seriously ridden a bicycle since high school, and the thought of having my precious brakes taken away was intimidating. But the volunteers at the track put us newcomers at ease.

First, I was instructed to ride around the inner paddock area to get used to the bike.  Because there aren’t any brakes, the rider has to use leg power to slow down and stop, which wasn’t as difficult as I made it out to be. After a couple of easy laps, the coach (who turned out to be Dale Hughes himself) barked at me to get up onto the light blue plywood skirt bordering the track. A few more laps of accelerating and decelerating on the blue strip, and I moved onto the track itself.

The straights of the Bloomer Park velodrome are angled at a piddly 13 degrees. The turns, however, were built at a daunting 44 degree banking. For comparison, a set of typical house stairs is between 33 and 37 degrees. Hurtling towards a wall of plywood on a bicycle is unsettling the first time, but when faced with such an obstacle, the best thing is to put full faith in physics and let the track and bike do the work. The first turn at the track was a real rush, partially because of the illusion of danger — keep pedaling and you’ll make it through.

I went out on the track a total of 5 times, for about 10 minutes each round. When the serious riders with giant legs and super-aerodynamic bikes started showing up, I decided that it was time to leave, but not before thanking the volunteers who were helping out; they made the whole experience easy and fun.

Problem is … now I’m looking for super-aerodynamic bikes. My wallet is going to hate my newfound hobby.

Want to learn more about the Velodrome at Bloomer Park? Just visit www.velodromeatbloomerpark.com.  Fees are listed on the site, but for newcomers, all you need is $5 for admission to the park itself, the track provides the rest.

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