Track Cycling: Velodrome Racing and Training Area - Velodrome D.I.Y.

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overground
02-21-12, 02:12 PM
Plain and simple: Is it possible to build your own backyard velodrome? improvised style obviously but i still could imagine it being useful or at least fun...

any body got plans?
what you think the minimum size should be?

obviously this thread is part humorous part serious

greetings andy

melville
02-21-12, 05:06 PM
How big is your backyard? I found this by googling "backyard halfpipe":

http://monsterguide.net/images/how-to-build-a-halfpipe.jpg

The skaters may be a resource for construction ideas.

I'm thinking anything much shorter than 150m would require "wall of death" banking. Perhaps two turns of 16m inside radius and two 25m straights to connect to get a 150m track.

For the space it might require, figure 5m wide track surface, so we get width of 5+16+16+5=42m and for length add 25m to that figure to get 67m, so 67mX42m or so.

How much land is that? I'm thinking it's about 3/4 of an american acre. I'm guessing the pictured halfpipe is taking up less than 1/4 of that space.

Doe this sound about right?
Dalai
02-21-12, 06:29 PM
Perhaps this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kghtRevkUJA Fun yes, useful - doubt it...

bitingduck
02-21-12, 10:20 PM
A kid at a local college did this for a project:
http://www.bikecommuters.com/2011/07/25/circulus-ridin-in-circles/

I saw another one on either Midnight Ridazz or LAFixed that was even smaller-- basically a carnival stunt that would barely let a bike turn around. If I can find it, I'll post it.

There are at least a few real velodromes shorter than 150 m-- Forest City is 138 m with 50 degree banking, and Boulder is 142 m with 45 degree banking (should probably be steeper). Vandedrome was designed to be assembleable at anywhere from 110 to 170 m, and had 53 degree banking.
chas58
02-22-12, 10:50 AM
Well, there is a bit more to the design and engineering than just throwing up some 45degree banking – especially if you want to be able to ride 60km/h safely. If you really want a velodrome, gather 100 of your best friends and pony up $1000 each. That should get you started. I think 166 is the shortest you can go with an international recognized velodrome, but I don’t think that is what is limiting you…

For reference, the above mentioned 138m Forrest City Velodrome is in an old Ice Hockey rink - hence its size.