There's been some banter about the hallowed halls of government regarding the abandoned velodrome in west Jacksonville. Hmmm...
Concrete bowl, with about 20 degrees of slope.
I'm sure it would need some good old fashioned hard work to get it going again, and unfortunately hard work is not something that the cycling community is known for here in Northeast Florida.
It is a ways off from the main drag, but very close to the Baldwin Rail Trail and to the preservation lands purchased by the city years ago and now targeted for trail construction by the local SORBA chapter. The 'drome is also on city owned land.
Lets get to work!
6 comments:
Would be cool project to get that rolling once again...
Jacksonville had a velodrome?! Who knew!
It's more suited for a warm up track,or for young juniors. Anything over about 25 mph would be tough.
It's out there with the Yeti's and Chupacabra's aha. Needs some major work!
Hello,
I work at a bicycle shop in Jacksonville. We are currently working on the velodrome. Getting volunteers and getting with the city to fix it up. I just wanted to comment on what you said (and I do realize this was posted 2012) you stated: "I'm sure it would need some good old fashioned hard work to get it going again, and unfortunately hard work is not something that the cycling community is known for here in Northeast Florida." Well, I have been riding my bike on the mean streets of Jacksonville for 7 years with no car (by choice). Myself a group of dedicated people run a AAA service for cyclists. We come to them to help them with whatever they need. Also, there is the Jacksonville Bicycle Coalition that is fight for bicyclists rights every day. We go to every town hall and city council meeting. Also, we maintain trails all over the city and outlying areas. At my college I run a bicycle safety work shop. There are several organized group and community rides EVERYDAY OF THE WEEK! This year in Nov. we are doing the 3rd Annual Duval Dirty Bike Olympics, with over 20 individual events spanning over a week. And there are many other things I could list but I digress... So we are out there everyday trying to raise awareness and try to get more people on their bikes. I just wanted to comment and let you know that there are people who work VERY hard for the cause. Just a heads up...
This brings back memories. I rode this place back in the late 80s or maybe even '90 when it had just been built. It was narrow and a little sketchy. There were dogs and geese walking around and you had to ride around the dog that would wander out on the track, luckily he was docile and predictable so we just zoomed around him with no problems. I remember meeting the wife of the old man who had built it ( for what reason I'm not sure) but I think the man had been sick at the time of our visit. They wouldn't take any money for letting us ride there though. I would think about it occasionally and wonder whatever happened to it.
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