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Summer Track Events in the Northwest

By Clarissa Ersoz

Although it has been a soggy spring and rain continued through June, forcing the cancellation of multiple events, the summer racing calendar is still packed — with even more to come. Track events provide a spectator-friendly environment with an enclosed venue, so the action is always in plain view no matter where you sit.

Portland, Ore., is home to the Alpenrose Velodrome while Redmond, Wash., is where the Marymoor Velodrome can be found. Both outdoor tracks operate summer programs and present a variety of weekly and weekend events, including clinics for riders of all ages and caliber.

Photo courtesy of Amara Boursaw / Wheels in Focus

Chase me, chase me not.

Portland, Oregon

The Alpenrose Six Day ran from June 28 to July 3, 2010. The men’s category saw Zachary Kovalcik (BRIHOP) take top honors, while Hulk team riders Camille Hook and Heather VanValkenburg tied for first in the women’s race. Winners were awarded the FIAC Six Day National Championships title.

Oregon Bicycle Racing Association (OBRA) Track Championships took place from July 9-11 and crowned new sprints, point races, pursuits and Keirin champions.

With $13,000 in prizes, the Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge attracted riders from across the country and Canada. [Ed. Note: Refer to front page article for more details].

Still to come is the Team Beer Track Race taking place on August 8, the National Track Qualifier on the 14th, the Alpenrose Heartbreaker on the 15th, the OBRA Junior and Team Track Championships on the 21st, and the OBRA Masters Track Championships at the end of the month.

Weekly events take place every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday until the end of the summer. Tuesday night races, starting at 6:30 p.m., welcomes riders of all levels and presents a Kiddie Kilo for young cyclists. Alpenrose Thursdays, which began on May 6, will last until September 30, and focuses on timed races followed by mass starts — except during the last half of September, which will only feature exciting Madison races. Finally, Fast Twitch Fridays welcomes racers of all levels to focus on sprints and Keirin events. There’s also a separate omnium for beginner men and women. For more information visit the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association website at www.obra.org.

Redmond, Washington

On July 11, the Marymoor Velodrome hosted Stewart Bowmer’s attempt to set a new Masters (40-44) Hour Record. The standing record of 45.5871 kilometers couldn’t be beat by Bowmer, but he did manage to establish a new Marymoor Velodrome record, posting 43.490 kilometers to break the previous mark of 41.7 kilometers, held by Dan Woods for the past 13 years.

Riders from across the nation gathered in Redmond from July 23 to 25 to attend the Full Speed Ahead (FSA) Grand Prix, which featured $15,500 in cash prizes.

Many more action packed viewing opportunities remain at Marymoor as the track will also host a series of state championship events including a Scratch Race on August 20, a Points Race on August 27, a Madison on September 3, and a Keirin on September 10, along with the International Omnium State Championships on August 22. The Elite Nationals Qualifier will also be presented from August 6-7.

Since the beginning of June, the Velodrome has hosted racing nights throughout each week. Mondays are reserved for Juniors and category 4 men. The schedule, which varies each week, includes open time trials, sprint mania and Madison racing starting at 7 p.m. The season ends on August 30. Until September 8, Wednesday evenings are reserved for cat 4 men and women, and the Masters 35+ categories will battle it out in various mass start events. Thursday nights offer a time for new racers coming out of the Adult Track Class Program to practice their skills. Participants race a different program weekly as the schedule is established on a night-by-night basis to best suit the need and mix of riders attending. Thursday night racing continues through August 26.

Photo courtesy of Amara Boursaw / Wheels in Focus

The Kiddie Kilo at Alpenrose.

Finally, the weeks culminate on Friday evenings where the best and most experienced athletes compete for top honors while spectators can enjoy the racing along with a beer garden. Every first and third Friday of each month, the free Kiddie Kilo encourages children between ages two and twelve to ride a lap on the velodrome. Admission is $5 and you can catch the action, which starts at 7 p.m., until September 10. For a complete schedule, visit the Marymoor Velodrome Association’s website atvelodrome.org.

Competitions aren’t the only action happening at the Velodrome. Introduction clinics are scheduled throughout the summer for those interested in track racing. Presented within the confines of the venue, safe from vehicular traffic, it’s a great opportunity for developing handling skills, getting in shape and having some fun.

Jennifer Triplett, from the Marymoor Velodrome Association, helps coordinate women-only racing clinics every Sunday from 2-4 p.m. until September 5. The first session welcomed 25 females and hopes to entice even more to come and ride. Experienced track racers such as two-time Olympian Jennie Reed and silver medalist Julie Gregg help lead the clinics that are designed for all skill levels. The Wednesday night ride on June 30th also boasted two cat 4 women’s fields, backing Triplett’s claim that this is the “year of the women” for the track series.

Take advantage of these events while they last, and if you’re craving more action even after the summer months, head to British Columbia, as they start hosting indoor track events in October at the Burnaby Velodrome. Take the entire family and enjoy the fun and excitement of participating in, or just watching, these action-packed events.