Submitted by: Durer Shomer

Durer was the former webmaster of the Fixed Gear Fever website dedicated to track racing. When that site was closed down he generously permitted us to put this info on this site. In November of 2000, Scott Patton resurrected FixedGearFever in his own vision.

Is Bicycle Track Racing A New Sport?
People are often surprised to learn that bicycle track racing in the USA has a long history. As far back as the turn of the century, track cycling was just as popular in America as it is now in Europe, the undisputed track racing capita of the world. By the time the "Roaring '20's" rolled around, indoor track racing had become one of the nation's most popular spectator sports, drawing enormous, celebrity-filled, capacity crowds in such huge stadiums and auditoriums as Madison Square Garden in New York City, and the Chicago Stadium, and the like.

Just as sports can grow in popularity, unfortunately, they can also fall out of favor, and that's what happened to American track racing during the late 1930's and early 40's. The decline was principally brought about by; the rapid development of the internal combustion engine, and the wide scale access to automobiles on an enormous scale, W.W.II, and Television. As the American public discovered the thrills of the automobile, the bicycle was soon all but forgotten, and bicycle track racing lost its former position as the nation's number one spectator sport. Incredibly, virtually all of the hundreds of indoor bicycle tracks in the country were torn down during this dark period, and most of the outdoor tracks were demolished as well. America had turned its back on track cycling.  

In the late 1950's and early '60's, the public's interest in track cycling was slowly revived. A half-dozen bicycle tracks were constructed in America during the 1960's alone, and yet, even so, when the cycling boom of the 1970's got underway, the US could claim only nine world-class tracks in the entire country! Today, as all forms of bicycle racing are growing in popularity. Velodromes are being built again in a few states, and, perhaps, one day, everyone in the USA will again be able to observe and participate in the exciting sport of bicycle track racing just as their grandparents once did.
What's Different About A Track (Or "Fixed-gear") Bike?  
The bicycle ridden on the track is different from the one ridden on the road. A track bike is one of the simplest and most elegantly designed machines in the world. Stripped to its basic components, a track bike has none of the complicated, and sometimes delicate, gear shifting and braking systems found on road or mountain bikes.
 
A track bike is a direct-drive mechanism with a single, small gear (cog) on the rear wheel, firmly attached to the hub without the usual "freewheel" mechanism found on most bikes that allows the rear gears to spin independently of the wheel, thus "coasting" is not an option. It is therefore referred to as being "fixed" in place, hence the fact that track bikes are sometimes also called "fixed-gear" or "fixed-wheel" bikes. A track bike also has only a single larger gear, or "chainring" attached to the pedal cranks. Simply put, this direct-drive arrangement... every time the wheels go around, the pedals also must go around. Because the bike has no freewheel for coasting, your feet never stop until the bike stops.
 
Additionally, a track bike has no brakes nor derailleur for shifting gears. On a track bike, the rider controls the bike's speed directly through the pedals, and through the pedals alone. When the rider presses down on a pedal, the bike moves forward, and, as the rider pedals harder, the bike moves faster. To slow a track bike, the rider simply relaxes his or her feet on the pedals, making them "heavy," to slow the pedaling motion. To bring a track bike to a complete stop, the rider firmly resists the pedaling motion (or "backpedals"), and may sometimes also rub a gloved hand on the front tire as well.
 
Designed especially for use on steeply banked tracks, and usually for shorter events than a road racing bike, the frame of the track bike has much steeper angles and is more "upright" than the frame of a road racing bike. A track bike has; a shorter wheelbase with less clearance between the tires and the frame tubes, and a higher bottom bracket coupled with shorter crankarms for greater pedal clearance on the steeply banked velodrome surface.
 
With minor modification, a track bike can also be ridden on the road for training, and pleasure. It's not recommended to ever ride any bicycle on the public roads without brakes! and depending on your locale, may be illegal as well as unsafe!
What's A Velodrome?
The facilities used bicycle track racing are called velodromes (VELL-o-dromes). They can be indoors or outdoors, the riding surface can be made of wood, concrete, asphalt, or cement, and, occasionally, grass or dirt. Velodrome tracks are usually 333.3 meters around, although they can vary from under 200m to over 500m long at the inside edge.
 
All velodromes have two long sections called "straights," which are linked by two curved end sections, giving the track a total of four turns. Bicycle track races are always run in a counterclockwise direction, so all four of the turns are to the left. The surface on a velodrome track is usually "banked," or constructed at an angle, and the banking on some of the shorter tracks can reach such incredible angles that it would seem impossible for anyone to ride a bike on them. The centrifugal force generated by the riders' speed, however, usually keeps them firmly glued to the track's surface no matter how steep the banking may be.
 
The area inside the track is called the "infield," and is used as a warm-up area for riders and as a seating area for competitors and coaches. Encircling the infield, just at the edge of the track itself, is an unbanked, paved surface called the "apron." This can be used as a warm-up area, as a place for mounting your bike, or as a run-off area for coming off the track in case of an accident.
 
Several lines are painted on the track and run around the full oval. The line (usually black) at the bottom of the track, nearest to the infield, is called the "pole line," and is the line along which the length of the track is measured. Some seventy centimeters up the track from the pole line is another painted line (usually red), called the "sprinter's line." The area between these two lines is called "the pole lane," and has significance for a very popular event called the "Match Sprint." About halfway up the track is another line, called the "stayer's line," which is usually blue, and is referenced in team racing and in motorpaced events as well.
What Kind Of Races Are Ridden On A Velodrome?
There are many different events, each with its own set of very detailed rules. Some of the more popular races you'll see at the velodrome are listed below, and there are two points to keep in mind as you read them: in some events, most notably the
Olympics, the distinction between the amateur and 'pro' riders is now gone. Also, the way that every track cycling event is conducted is dictated by the fact that it is very much easier to "draft" closely behind another cyclist (or behind a motorcycle) than it is to ride completely on your own or at the head of a group. For example, in the Kilometer, where you ride totally on your own, you'll be riding full speed against the clock, while in the Match Sprint, you may try to make the other rider ride at the front to tire him out. So, depending on whether an event is a solo or group effort, pure aerodynamics vs. cunning and strategy may have more or less of an effect on the outcome.
Kilometer, or 1000 Meter Time Trial:
A timed race that pits a solo rider against the clock, the "Kilo" is a test of speed and stamina in which each rider tries to cover a distance of 1000 meters (usually three laps) in as little time as humanly possible. Ridden from a standing start, the Kilo is won by a rider pushing himself to the utmost limits of his endurance.
Match Sprint:
Like the Kilometer, the Match Sprint is run over a distance of 1000 meters, but in a Match Sprint, two to four riders start at the same time, and they race against each other rather than against the clock. Although they are timed over the last 200 meters of the race, the winner of the race is the rider who crosses the finish line first, regardless of how long it takes. Match sprints work by a process of elimination, so that the riders must work their way up through several rounds of sprints, called "heats." Only two riders compete in the finals, which consist of three races. By scoring two wins in the finals, a rider becomes the winner of the event. It's in the Match Sprint that you may witness a "trackstand," wherein a rider will bring his/her bike to a complete stop and remain upright, balancing precariously. The reason for this peculiar behavior is that the rider in front is trying to control the race and wants to force the rider in the rear to come around, so that they can "draft" off of the front rider, following their rear wheel very closely, to decrease wind resistance and therefore conserve energy. By following in the slipstream of the other rider, a rider can not only keep a watchful eye on their opponent, but can also save enough energy to put on an extra burst of speed at the finish.
Tandem Sprint:
Like the Match Sprint, but ridden on two-man tandem bikes over a distance of 1500 meters instead of 1000. The Tandem Sprint is one of the fastest events on the track.
 
Olympic Sprint:
"Take three of the fastest riders on the track (sprinters). Line them up, Team Pursuit style, with three more fast riders on the other side of the track. When the gun goes off, each team moves into Team Pursuit position, one in back of the other "single file", accelerating to top speed as quickly as possible. The first man rides one lap on the front and pulls out of the pace line. The second continues, pulling off after the second lap. The last man of each team continues solo for the third and final lap, driving through to the finish. This race is an all-out drag race, dependent for success on speed, teamwork, and consistency. There is no use of the banking as in the Team Pursuit, and no possibility of half-lap pulls." This event, although not yet an Olympic medal event, was run at the U.S. Track Nationals in Indianapolis, in 1995. It was won by Bill Clay, Jeff Solt, and Sky Christopherson, and this was after they had been able to practice together for only 15 minutes!" (This "Olympic Sprint" description is from the excellent book "NO BRAKES!" by Sandra Sutherland, and was submitted to us by Dave Christopherson, Sky's dad!) (Editor's Note: Reader Paul Webb reminds us that the Olympic Sprint, while ironically still not an Olympic event, is however, now a 'medal event' at the World Championships.)
Individual Pursuit:
A race in which two riders start on opposite sides of the track and chase each other for a given distance. If one rider "catches" the other before they've gone the full distance, the race ends immediately (although the winning rider may have to continue on to 'go the distance' so that he may record his overall time). If neither rider catches his opponent, the race goes the full distance, and is won by the rider who covers the distance in the least amount of time. Women and juniors go a distance of 3000 meters, amateur men go 4000 meters, and professionals go 5000 meters.
Team Pursuit:
A 4000 meter race, the Team Pursuit is like the Individual Pursuit, except that it involves two teams of riders instead of two individuals. There are four men on each team, and they ride in a single file "pace line." Each of the four riders takes a turn at the front, changing the lead every lap or every half lap. The front rider swings up the track's banking, letting his teammates pass, and then drops back down to catch on to the back of the line. Only three of the four riders need to go the full distance, because the team's total time is taken as the third rider in the group crosses the line.
Mass Start or "Scratch" Race:
Not surprisingly, all the riders in a Mass Start race start at the same time. The riders all cover the same distance, with the winner being the first rider to cross the finish line at the end of that distance. Although speed is important, tactics and teamwork are equally vital. Groups of riders often take an early lead, and then work together to increase it while their teammates try to block and slow down the "field." On a small track, the leaders may gain an entire lap on the other riders and then join in with the main group again.
Points Race:
A variation of the Mass Start race, points are awarded to the top placing riders in a series of sprints contested at various intervals during the race. The winner of a Points Race is not necessarily the first to cross the finish line, but rather the rider who has accumulated the most points during the race.
Miss-And-Out:
Another variation of the Mass Start race that's sometimes called "Devil Take The Hindmost," because the last rider to cross the line after each (or every other) lap is taken out of the race. The field diminishes rapidly, until there are only a few riders left to contest the final sprint.
Motorpace:
Very popular in Europe, but rarely seen in the USA, the Motorpace is a race in which each rider stays glued behind a small motorcycle or moped, with only inches between them. Because the motorbikes break the wind and provide the riders with a slipstream to ride in, Motorpace riders can go much faster than the riders in most other events.
Keirin:
This Japanese version of the Motorpace, which is subject to pari-mutuel betting over there, has become very popular in the US, although, so far, without the betting. Keirin races, in which all the riders on the track jockey for position behind a single motorbike, sometimes most closely resemble the "Roller Derby" of old, with riders jostling and jabbing each other with elbows to get into the "sweet spot" behind the motorcycle. Then, just before the last lap, the motorbike pulls off the track, and the riders sprint madly to the line.
 
Madison:
Named for the famed Madison Square Garden in New York City, and known as the 'American' race in Europe, this most prestigious of track events is a race for teams of two or three riders, and can last anywhere from six hours to six days!! All riders start at the same time, and the winner is the team covering the most laps in the time allotted. Each team has only one rider in the race at any given time. After covering one or two laps at top speed, that rider drops out of the race so that another member of the team can come in and ride for a while. During the changeovers, the rider coming off the track literally throws the second rider into the race- either with a handsling, or by grabbing onto a special handle sewn into the rear pocket of their teammate's racing shorts. The Madison is considered to be the ultimate event in bicycle track racing, not only because of the length of the race, but also because of its incredible combined demands of speed, endurance, teamwork and tactics.
Handicap:
Although not very popular in Europe and the USA, the major race of just about every track meet in Australia is the Handicap, or 'Wheelrace.' The Handicap race is generally run over 1, 2, or 3000m, although the major events are generally 2000m or 3000m. The race consists of a number of riders starting at the same time, but at various different points on the track! The 'Scratchmen,' starting at the 0 meter line, are the only riders who actually ride the entire distance. The 'Out-markers' are the riders who start at various distances away from the 0 meter line, and they can start at up to 250m out for a 2000m event! All riders are held up at the start, and they're pushed (the bigger the better) until they get going. The race generally consists of a number of heats, where the first few riders in each heat make the final. The beauty of the race is that it gives every rider an equal chance of winning the event, and thus attracts a large field. Also, it tends towards close race finishes, where the Out-markers are hanging on for dear life, and the Back-markers are storming home. The times for the last few Austral Wheelrace finals have all been around 2:02:00 to 2:04:00 which is extremely fast!
OK, This Sounds Great - So Where Do I Find A Velodrome?
Unfortunately, compared to the earlier part of this century, when there were literally hundreds of velodromes in the USA, there aren't a whole lot of them out there these days, although new ones are currently planned for several cities around the country.
 
In addition to their well-publicized "feature" events, many folks don't realize that most velodromes have racing and training programs for 'regular' citizens, too! So, if you're one of those lucky souls who happen to live near a velodrome, contact your local track to find out what programs they may have available for "just plain folks."

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