some pork-barrel deal where a politician was able to feather his own nest with city tax dollars. "As a unique athletic facility, the velodrome is truly an important city asset," said Ogilvie, noting that it was just one item on a master list of key park properties identified for improvement across St. Louis. "The track had degraded to the point that it was dangerous and so this renovation made sense for user safely alone. But the velodrome is such a visible and historic aspect of the park system that investing in its preservation and enhancement was almost an obligation." The $800,000 velodrome renovation project involved a complete resurfacing of the track, including removing old layers to make different sections of the track connect smoothly and eliminate those dreadful cracks. The track still has the same footprint, just a smooth new racing surface. It's 1/5 of a mile, 321.8 meters of pure cycling joy. "On a grading scale, the track was a D- in terms of surface quality before the renovation," said Carter. "It's a B+ or A- now. We did the very best we could, knowing we didn't have an unlimited budget." With the project all but finished as this issue of Terrain was going to press, Ogilvie is excited for what the track improvement means for St. Louis. "This is a regional facility. It brings people to St. Louis, as it draws from a much broader area than just the city," he said. "It's free and open to the public. It lowers the barrier to entry in the sport, offering opportunity to riders who might not otherwise participate if there were fees involved to access the track. It's just a great thing all around." Plus, says Carter, racing at the velodrome can help riders in every category of competitive cycling, whether that's racing mountain bikes, cyclocross, or out on the road. "Track racing makes riders better in all other disciplines," she said. "It makes for stronger riders and improves bike-handling skills and a person's ability to maneuver in a pack."
terrain July/August 2019
15
biking
ABOVE
: The 1/5-mile track is a special part of the local racing scene.
OPPOSITE
: Penrose Park Velodrome in North St. Louis has drawn nationally prominent racers. When you're ready to progress to the next level, our friendly bike technicians stand ready to elevate your riding experience with advanced components, expert workmanship, and personal know-how. From hardtail to full suspension, cross-country to enduro, we offer premium brands like Giant, Santa Cruz, Niner, and Orbea - plus budget friendly bikes for everyone in your family. Welcome to Ballwin Cycles. 15340 Manchester Rd 636-391-2666
Elevate. Ride. Repeat.
R E G I S T E R N O W !
Roots Mountain Biking's First Women's MTB Retreat in St. Louis
August 2-4 BICP Certified Instructors
www.roOtsmountainbiking.com Strong RoOts, Strong Riders
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