What is Track Cycling?
At it's core, track cycling is a competitive sport, built upon the basic principles of power, endurance, speed, skill, and tactics. Racers maneuver single-speed fixed-gear bicycles around an oval track (called a velodrome), with banked corners and only left turns. In one evening of track cycling, racers will compete in a lot of different racing formats! These range from individual time-trial events to "mass start" group events, races for the finish line or even races for points. Even on a local level, riders organize to create sponsored teams, which provide a whole lot of benefits and community for our athletes. Riders wear "kits" while competing to show their team membership. Track Cycling is an international athletic event, with races National and International class races held annually (including events in the Summer Olympics). More information can be found on USA Cycling's website.
Track Cycling at Marymoor
Since 1975, Marymoor Park has provided one of a few venues for track cycling in the Pacific Northwest. The Jerry Baker Memorial Velodrome (JBMV) is a concrete, outdoor velodrome, operated by the Marymoor Velodrome Association. At the steepest, the corners have a 23 degree slope, which among competitive velodromes worldwide is considered a rather gentle slope. At 400 meters in length per lap, the "gentle giant" is also one of the longest/largest tracks in the country. Track cycling can be seen at the track on a weekly basis throughout the spring/summer months, starting in May and lasting well into September, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The track annually hosts weekend events that range from USA Cycling Nationals to locally competitive races. Learn more about the history of the JBM Velodrome.