Alkek Velodrome (Houston, Texas)

 velodrome  Add category

 Upload a photo

Built for the 1986 U.S. Olympic Festival, Alkek Velodrome continues to be a focal point for track cycling and has hosted multiple national championships. The Texas Cyclocross Championships have also been hosted on the grounds.

The track is 333 meters in length, and the banking varies from 9 to 33 degrees. Racers enter the track via the tunnel at the northeast corner. The circular feature at the south end is a warm-up (and cool-down) track.

If you're not familiar with track cycling, note that bicycles used at this facility have a single fixed gear (i.e., pedaling backwards makes the rear wheel turn backwards) and NO BRAKES! It's actually safer than it sounds, and it makes for some of the most intense racing around.