jmgorman

Does anyone know if there is still ongoing, publicly accessable racing at Mexico City's 68 Olympic 'drome?

I'm going to be in town the last week of September and would love to watch some races, or better yet, get a chance to roll around a bit. I cannot find any info online - my spanish google-fu is weak.

LóFarkas

I'm so bored I actually googled around for you (yay for Spanish major). The 'drome called "Velódromo Olímpico Agustín Melgar" seems to have no website of its own. The info I found is sporadic... There were plans to convert it to a shelter for women victims of family violence or some correctional insititute... But it seems to be still functioning. One university supposedly has "training sessions" for its students every tuesday and thursday. Apparently, it was resurfaced a couple of years back and they built a field hockey pitch in the centre???

This is the track section of the Mexican Cycling F's site: https://www.fmc.org.mx/pista.asp
No info on the Agustín Melgar that I could find here.

Edit: I found this in english: https://www.downtheroad.org/Journals/...Fvelodrome.htm

IonChannel

I lived in Mexico City for 25 years and actually know some people who raced in the Olympics and stuff. I can tell you that as far as I know the velodrome is open but only for authorized people (competitive athletes) and usually they don't even let you go in and see the practice. In addition there's no racing that I know of. It is a shame because it's a great velodrome which is kept in great condition. It's even really hard to get into the sports complex it's in. I got in a few times because of my friends and because I used to be a competitive swimmer and there's a pool in that same complex I used to go to. Sorry, unless things have changed drastically in the last four years I don't think you'll have luck.

popluhv

I used to work in a shop with a dude who raced there in the olympics for Mexico. He says the word "pinche" with every sentence he speaks.

IonChannel

Ha, ha... that's how you recognize a Mexican from any other latin american...

popluhv

Some of us thought it meant "bicycle", before we were told otherwise.

LóFarkas

That's funny... my second link says "In 1998 the track was rebuilt with a new concrete floor. The track is currently open for practice rides Tuesday through Friday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The cost is a $20 initiation fee and $7 per month there after."

I guess the OP will only know when he gets there.

IonChannel

oops... great! I just hope that the bureaucracy has changed also and that it's easy to just get in there and ride.

jmgorman

OMG-Awesome, thanks everyone for the help. I will definately tell you how it goes. LoFarkas, I owe you a beer next time, well, when I finally get to Budapest.