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Chicago's velodrome dreams become reality

Yesterday marked the 65th anniversary of the demise of the last velodrome in the City of Chicago.

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The temporary Chicago Velodrome. Photo courtesy of Sean Hopkins.

If you think track bikes are popular in Chicago now, you should have seen the following in the early part of this century when they actually were meant for racing.

Back in 1928, a velodrome was built in Humboldt Park, and then it was revamped in 1932 as a one-eighth-mile-long wooden track.

The Humboldt Park Velodrome hosted the 1940 US Olympic tryouts and many other races. The stands could accommodate 1500 spectators and a walkway offered standing room for many hundreds more.

Sadly, a fire destroyed the Humboldt Park Velodrome in 1946.

Now, for the first time in 65 years, Chicago again has a velodrome. Starting now you can put that track bike where it belongs!

Thanks to the hard work of many Chicagoland bike enthusiasts, the temporary velodrome campus at 8615 S. Burley Ave. is officially open and leading workshops.

Local bike team the Chicago Cuttin' Crew visited Monday evening, giving us all a taste of what the Chicago Velo Campus can do.

If you want to take your fixed gear to its natural habitat, you'll have to get certified. Check out the latest news and updates on those classes via the campus' Facebook page.