My childhood home was 3 miles from The Lehigh County Velodrome (as it was so titled then) and I have fond memories of Friday night visits as a teenager.
When I discovered some of our friends had taken an opportunity to work for the non-profit Valley Preferred Cycling Center (as it is now titled), I contacted them to see what they were up to and what is happening this summer at the track.
So courtesy of Alicia Marinelli and Matt Hagen I had the recent pleasure to visit The Velodrome, located at 1151 Mosser Road,
Breinigsville, PA 18031 on a beautiful spring day.
In Part I of this series we’ll take a look at some hot off the presses marketing material including the 2013 Racing Schedule, Cycling Development Programs, and end with some views of a sunny spring day in T-Town.
(Don’t forget this Saturday’s (May 4th) upcoming VeloFest detailed in this post.)
The Velodrome has some exciting races and events coming this season – with Alicia and Matt on board along with Executive Director Marty Nothstein, it’s going to be a HOT Summer in T-Town!
Speaking of two time Olympic medalist Marty Nothstein, be sure to stay tuned for Part II where we sit down for a candid conversation covering his career, what’s coming up at The Velodrome and even a few other surprises.
World Series of Bicycling – 2013 Schedule
The World Series of Bicycling will bring Olympic action to the Valley Preferred Cycling Center every Friday night this summer. The Friday night lineup, starting June 7th, is a mix of sprint and endurance events that will bring the world’s best track cycling talent to T-Town this summer. Last season, VPCC brought in racers from 13 countries, including 12 Olympians.
Click image to enlarge
Air Products Developmental Cycling Program
For 35 years the Air Products Developmental Cycling Program at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center has been the starting point for many of America’s best track cyclists. From Olympic Gold Medalist and multiple World Champion Marty Nothstein and former Junior World Champion Sarah Uhl, to current champions Bobby Lea and Kim Geist; the Air Products program is recognized around the globe for its legendary graduates.
Click image for viewable/printable PDF
Red Robin Marty Nothstein Bicycle Racing League
The Red Robin Marty Nothstein Bicycle Racing League (BRL) introduces new riders ages 9-16 with no previous experience to the thrill and excitement of bicycle racing. The 2013 BRL program format consists of five teams that will practice and race for eight to ten weeks before the season culminates with the Team Championships at the nation’s premier outdoor track cycling facility, the Valley Preferred Cycling Center.
Click image for viewable/printable PDF
Spring Photgraphs at The Velodrome – click on any picture to start the show!
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
Back in the 90s(?) somebody gave my older brother, same one that takes me to some Pigs games, tickets to the Velodrome, and I went with him. The tix were in the backstretch seats, but the sun in our eyes was so bad that we ended up down along the track wall. By the time the sun went down, it got cold enough that a woman standing next to us* in a sleeveless dress pestered me into (temporarily) lending her my windbreaker. I had seen enough cycling on telly to be interested in these races, and while I’d be lucky to remember any of the people racing, I can tell you they’re far from lacking in excitement!
*She looked a whale-of-a-lot like then-Sports Illustrated favorite, now designer, Kathy Ireland…