I have ridden on two velodromes in my life: Kissena and "T-town". The first time I rode Kissena, which is just a few kilometers from where I live, it more closely resembled some trails I rode in Vermont than any other track. Another rider, who was a bit of a tinkerer, quipped that it was inspiring him to design the world's first dual-suspension track bike. The Lehigh Valley Velodrome--commonly called "Trexlertown" or "T-town", today known as the Valley Preferred Cycling Center--was like a mirror by comparison.
Riding on both tracks gave me butterflies in my stomach, along with an adrenaline rush. I don't know how fast I rode (Somehow, I don't think Chris Boardman or Francois Pervis had anything to fear!) but I know I was riding faster than I ever did on a road or trail--without even trying! and at angles I couldn't even imagine myself reclining or sitting! It was probably as close as I ever came to defying gravity.
One thing you have to remember when you're on a velodrome--or any time you ride a fixed-gear bike: Keep pedaling! If you stop, you'll fall off--and, if others are riding on the 'drome, into their path.
I have never ridden a high-wheeler ("penny farthing"). But I imagine that the same principle holds true: After all, if the wheel is moving, so are the pedals. I also imagine that if you suddenly stop pedaling, the resulting fall could be even nastier than the tumble from a modern track bike.
Perhaps one day I will ride a high-wheeler. But I simply cannot imagine riding it on the track. I wonder how these guys did it:
Riding on both tracks gave me butterflies in my stomach, along with an adrenaline rush. I don't know how fast I rode (Somehow, I don't think Chris Boardman or Francois Pervis had anything to fear!) but I know I was riding faster than I ever did on a road or trail--without even trying! and at angles I couldn't even imagine myself reclining or sitting! It was probably as close as I ever came to defying gravity.
One thing you have to remember when you're on a velodrome--or any time you ride a fixed-gear bike: Keep pedaling! If you stop, you'll fall off--and, if others are riding on the 'drome, into their path.
I have never ridden a high-wheeler ("penny farthing"). But I imagine that the same principle holds true: After all, if the wheel is moving, so are the pedals. I also imagine that if you suddenly stop pedaling, the resulting fall could be even nastier than the tumble from a modern track bike.
Perhaps one day I will ride a high-wheeler. But I simply cannot imagine riding it on the track. I wonder how these guys did it:
