Alpenrose Velodrome and event site is permanently closed

A cyclocross race at Alpenrose in 2019 and the cover of the Dairyville Gazette from August 1962.

The beloved racing event site at Alpenrose Dairy is now permanently closed.

That’s the terrible news just released by the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association (OBRA) in a statement released this morning from Alpenrose Velodrome Director Jen Featheringill and OBRA Executive Director Chuck Kenlan:

Dear OBRA and Alpenrose Velodrome Friends,

Although we expected this someday, we are sad to inform you that the Alpenrose Dairy property has been permanently closed to events and all other uses. For us, this includes the velodrome and the surrounding property that is used for cyclocross races. Although we knew that this day would probably come, it is disappointing to not get one final year of racing at this historic property.

We are incredibly grateful to the entire Cadonau Family for the decades of generosity to the Oregon community by allowing all of the groups the use of the land and facilities free of charge. It is truly the end of an era.

Many of us have fond memories of the AVC, the Six-Day, and all the weekly track racing series that introduced so many people in our community to riding one of the most challenging velodromes in the country. There are memories of the first Cross Crusade race in 1994 which was also a Super Cup race and the epic Crusade season openers in the following years. In 2009, Tony and Joe started the Blind Date Series which brought new racers to the sport of cyclocross every Wednesday night in September for 11 years.

We invite you to share your memories of racing at Alpenrose on the OBRA Facebook page here: facebook.com/ORBicycleRacing and the Alpenrose Velodrome Facebook page here: facebook.com/groups/AlpenroseVelodrome.

Alpenrose opened to bicycle racing in 1962 and has become a premier destination for track and cyclocross races ever since.

Alpenrose hosted the U.S. National Road Racing Championships in 1967. In a cover story for the October 1967 issue of American Cycling magazine journalist and photographer Peter Hoffman described it as “Portland’s finest hour.”

In March 2019, the sale of Alpenrose Dairy, the corporation headquartered on the southwest Portland property, sent a scare into the community that its new owners might decide against hosting large public events at the site. Those fears were put on hold when it appeared the new owners would allow racing to continue.

In the end, the potential of a multi-million payout to develop the very valuable real estate we used to ride bikes on proved to be harder to pass up than that person in front of you on the wonderfully dreadful, off-camber muddy section on that hill in the back corner of the property.

While today’s news isn’t a huge surprise for those close to the recent sale and ownership battle, it doesn’t make it any easier to accept.

— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org
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Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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draw2build architecture
draw2build architecture
3 years ago

This is the saddest cycling-related email I’ve received in a long time. I really hoped this would not happen.

Fred
Fred
3 years ago

I hope you’ll update this story with the “why” – as in “Why has the site closed?” What has happened? Did they lose their insurance? Has the legal battle between family members created this situation? Will Alpenrose Dairy be sold off so hundreds of houses can be built on the site? (everyone’s greatest fear in this part of town).

HJ
HJ
3 years ago
Reply to  Fred

The new owners (Alpenrose was sold in 2019) didn’t want us from day 1. It was a constant battle even for the little bit of access we got after they bought it. New owners couldn’t care less about the value of the area to the community. They just want to make money. Sadly we knew it was coming from the day the sale went through.

SE
SE
3 years ago
Reply to  HJ

The land that the velodrome sits on is still owned by the Cadanou family. The new owners have no control over any of the baseball fields or the rest of the land. This is a decision by the Cadanou family to cash out by redeveloping the land. Point your fingers where they belong please.

Maddy
Maddy
3 years ago
Reply to  HJ

It is pretty amazing that the family donated their private resources for 60 years. It’s disappointing the land is being developed, but hats off to the family for the incredible resources they provided for so long.

Steve Hash
Steve Hash
3 years ago

Time to re-purpose the Memorial Coliseum, Velodrome and Indoor Track and Field facility.

rick
rick
3 years ago
Reply to  Steve Hash

What of the Winterhawks?

SERider
SERider
3 years ago
Reply to  rick

Don’t they already play a decent amount of games at the Moda? It’s silly to have two arenas sitting next to each other.

Eric Leifsdad
Eric Leifsdad
3 years ago

Sad news but I hope if they redevelop it that they’re required to provide a public path through the north edge. Maybe they’ll sell the velodrome and ballfield to parks dept? This property seems to be a gap in the red electric trail right-of-way between Shattuck and Oleson. I never understood why the property seemed to be so car-oriented / bike hostile aside from that being the default attitude in these hills.

GlowBoy
GlowBoy
3 years ago
Reply to  Eric Leifsdad

That has been my hope all along. This property IS a gap in the Red Electric route. It is physically (but not legally) possible to cruise a couple hundred yards across the grass just south of the woods, and then hop over a low wooden fence onto Dover Street. This would be an easy solution to the Shattuck-Oleson gap, otherwise one of the worst obstacles in riding between Portland and Beaverton (well, except the Oleson-Scholls Ferry gap).

I may have done this a few times when they were in the business of hosting bike events, hoping that they would be open-minded towards cyclists’ needs than other property owners, if I ever happened to get caught. I sure wouldn’t try it now.

My first thought upon hearing this news was that it would set back efforts to get a path established. But maybe not: as you suggest, if the owners are interested in making money, maybe a narrow right of way (or even easement) could be sold to the Tualatin Hills Parks & Rec District.

And directly across Oleson from Dover Street is Bauman Park, which abuts Fanno Creek. If THPRD were to also construct a bridge across the creek at the back of the park, it would connect with a little-known path that drops down to the creek behind Willowmere Drive. Combined with a path across the north side of Alpenrose, that would close a HUGE part of the Red Electric route that’s missing, and allow cyclists to avoid the Five Corners area completely.

Ten
Ten
3 years ago
Reply to  GlowBoy

Is this the path? I’ve always wondered what was back there: https://goo.gl/maps/HERNbauxJxu6H5q77

GlowBoy
GlowBoy
3 years ago
Reply to  Ten

Yes. It drops down behind the houses and dead-ends at the creek, just across from an apartment building’s parking lot. You could probably hop the creek in late summer and get through, though I haven’t tried it.

rick
rick
3 years ago
Reply to  GlowBoy

THPRD owns that former BES property but, in order to build a bridge over Fanno, easements or the purchase of property would be needed.

Burk Webb
Burk Webb
3 years ago

Awwww crap.

Mike Owens
Mike Owens
3 years ago

Little league ballpark gone too I expect? So sad.

PDX is losing.

bob
bob
3 years ago

That’s too bad

Champs
Champs
3 years ago

I’m deeply ambivalent about the slow demise of track around the country. It’s great that the disciplines rising in its stead are more physically accessible, but unfortunately their competitive sides are significantly more expensive.

Recreation is good for the masses but without the athletes for inspiration…

StephenH
StephenH
3 years ago
Reply to  Champs

Track racing is far more friendly to new riders, and those in urban areas (versus road and mountain biking).

Champs
Champs
3 years ago
Reply to  StephenH

Major US markets struggling to support even one velodrome gets me thinking about my old boss from Canada. He played football in college, not hockey, and when I asked why he said it was easier than getting up at 5am for ice time as a junior in Victoria.

If there’s a moral to that story, I guess it’s wondering if every kid would respond to barriers by finding a new sport. Just a few might find entirely different outlets.

Beth H
Beth H
8 months ago
Reply to  Champs

“Recreation is good for the masses but without the athletes for inspiration…”

An awful lot of us who ride for “recreation” and transportation were never inspired by bicycle racers. We just want to ride our bikes because it’s the nicest way to get around, that’s all.
In fact, I’d go as far as to say that in some respects, racing has been bad for cycling as a whole, especially in the R & D area. Commuter bikes don’t need the same bells and whistles as racing bikes, and I wish the industry would stop shoving every new, expensive “development” down my throat.
But I digress.
Riding a bike is just a great way to get from place to place.
And that is all the inspiration many of us have ever needed.
Happy riding.

AndyK
3 years ago

This sucks. Thanks for all the memories!

axoplasm
3 years ago

This feels like the heart of Oregon bike racing has been cut away. It was so accessible, so fun, and so great for families. Most important it was a PLACE, kind of like the Oregon racing HQ. I’m remembering going to the first race of the Crusade in 2019 with my kiddos, two of whom raced Juniors. I was looking forward to seeing my youngest race there eventually (she was only seven at that time). I never once had the thought: “this is my last time here.” I didn’t even race! Just supported my little crew. I regret every race I declined there.

I’m not a pollyanna so this is a weird feeling, but we need to build something to replace it. I worry we missed an opportunity (if there ever was one) to broker some deal with Parks to acquire the recreational parts of property in 2019. Where else can we park a world-class velodrome and CCX venue within the city limits? Could we repurpose one of the money-losing golf courses?

SERider
SERider
3 years ago
Reply to  axoplasm

Yes, it seems like such a waste to demolish functional recreational facilities like that. Would be ideal if the city had enough money to buy that part of the property, but that seems unlikely.

Matt
Matt
3 years ago
Reply to  axoplasm

With five city-owned golf courses, surely at least one of them can be converted to a velodrome/CX course/MTB trails/dirt jumps/pump track/skate park. Thinking about how much land a single golf hole requires (let alone 18 holes), with only one person able to use it (actually hitting the ball) at a time, it’s an obscene waste of space. Many orders of magnitude more people are able to use the land simultaneously for cycling activities. Don’t the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few?

rick
rick
3 years ago
Reply to  Matt

Parks owns the Red Tail Golf Course which makes money in an area about one mile from Portland city limits. No trails are on that property.

SilkySlim
3 years ago
Reply to  Matt

Even as a golfer I have to agree with this.

If we took away just 10% of our golf facilities (nine holes from one course is around ~75 acres), we’d instantly add into the fold a park two to three times larger than Laurelhurst (~27 acres).

I’d be down to convert the first nine at Eastmoreland (my local course, which for 18 holes is 160 acres) into a “super park” of sorts. Don’t touch the back nine though! Since we are fantasizing, I’d have both cyclocross course and a cross country running course (because another icon, Portland Meadows, is on the way out). And to cover my other recreational racing hobbies, something for RC cars as well. Food carts?

Austin
Austin
3 years ago

while I wish I would have checked out more velodrome races while I had the chance, I’m going to miss the Christmas village for sure!

SE
SE
3 years ago

Nope. His family are the ones selling the land that the velodrome is on. They’re cashing out while trying to blame someone else.

D2
D2
3 years ago
Reply to  SE

Whoa, there was a split decision in the family on the issue, I believe Cary is on the side of keeping the site open instead of selling.

SE
SE
3 years ago
Reply to  D2

Their may be a split in who wants to keep it open in the Cadanou family, but they 100% own all of the land including the velodrome. My understanding is that there was a split in who wanted to sell the dairy but now that the sale is final it would be the Cadanou family only making the decision. So you would need to ask Cary if he is wants to redevelop the land. I would assume they would pay out of pocket for any costs to keep it open. They wanted to keep the land so they could make any decisions on when to redevelop it and they alone would make the profits.

Bikeninja
Bikeninja
3 years ago

This bums me out. I grew up in that part of town and started going to Dairyland when I was a toddler ( many, many years ago.) I hate to exhibit ill will, but I hope the housing market crashes and burns for a decade or more and the entire site sits vacant until it can be revived some time in the future for its historical use. And if it does get turned in to housing, I hope that those who build on it, or live there are plagued with bad luck, bad karma, and misery. Sorry for the angry comment but trashing 60 or more years of Portland History, and community involvement on the alter of capitalism is a bitter pill to take.

Fred
Fred
3 years ago
Reply to  Bikeninja

No chance of the real-estate market crashing in this part of town – not with multiple above-asking-price offers on a $850,000 unit in a duplex.

Bikeninja
Bikeninja
3 years ago
Reply to  Fred

That is what they were all saying in January of 2008 also. With WFH rapidly on the rise, what makes you think that close in real estate will continue to be attractive. As soon as the FHA forbearance period comes off all heck will break loose in the RE market.

GlennF
GlennF
3 years ago

Maybe re-purpose an open reservoir on Mt. Tabor…
And close the dog park areas to cycle cross ones in a while.

D2
D2
3 years ago
Reply to  GlennF

Or the capped reservoir at Washington Park.

vespajg
vespajg
3 years ago

Similar to indoor soccer and futsal arenas, a year round indoor velodrome with infield restaurant/snack bar/bar and other amenities seems like it could be a successful enterprise in the PDX Metro area. Teams, track racing leagues, youth programs, etc. Alpenrose was a great, unique, and irreplaceable cyclocross venue, but we have many of those – both current (the inaugural Oaks Park race for example) and to be discovered. While I will miss the cross races, the real loss is the velodrome IMO.

SERider
SERider
3 years ago
Reply to  vespajg

It’s going to be harder and harder to find CX venues IN Portland though. I don’t think Oaks Bottom Park can replace Alpenrose (and hand those kind of crowds). This pretty much just leaves PIR.

Alain L.
Alain L.
3 years ago

“Cash out” is the general practice of private property ownership. Difficult to fault the family, or new owners for this. Such a ‘community oriented’ site would be better placed in the hands of a Trust, as in a CLT. Seems like a good time to revisit an indoor option, which would be better in our PacNW climate. BC has a nice indoor track in Burnaby, east of Vancouver, near the SFU main campus. An indoor track located in the CEID would be nice, central to both west side and east side, which Aplpenrose was not. Or further east (of 82nd) given the lower cost of commercial real estate. Always seemed like an indoor track with weekly racing and 6-Day events should be in the center of the ‘bicycle capital of the US’. All of that said, it’s sad news, and sorry to hear of it. Thanks BP for the news.

Bikeninja
Bikeninja
3 years ago

What is ironic about all this is that the modus operandi of the real estate industry is to capitalize on the public infrastructure and cultural attractions of a city to sell and rent real estate. Just look at any website for a new apartment and half the photos are of “cool” music venues, or parks nearby. “Come buy an overpriced box mansion and experience the cycling mecca of Portland.” But like any parasite this industry is now chewing away the last of these “attractions” and leaving the host a hollowed out shell of its former self. Soon the ads will have to read. ” Buy our exciting new townhouses and be near all the other exciting townhouses,” since there is nothing else left. A sad progression.

SD
SD
3 years ago

Now there is no excuse to not have a centrally located velodrome.

Thomas Vandenberg
Thomas Vandenberg
3 years ago
Reply to  SD

They couldn’t even get 4 grand saved up or raised to put evening arena lights on the velodrome so you could train and race past sundown. Good luck trying to get 2 million for an outdoor velodrome or 5 million for an indoor velodrome. It isn’t happening.

Emily
Emily
3 years ago

End of an era, but lets remember, the Velodrome represented an elitist white male sport of cycling that is not representative of who rides bicycles anymore. So I’m personally not sad to see it go.

Lets instead look forward to cycling infrastructure projects like Gateway Greene bike park that encourages all riders to use it: White and non-white, skilled and un-skilled riders, men and women, adults and children.

Projects like GG represents the future of cycling that is more inclusive.

W. Cortez
W. Cortez
3 years ago
Reply to  Emily

Cycling (overall) is clearly not diverse…it benefits from the structures of white supremacist culture. Why can’t you leave it there? Admit that, then make motions to make changes. Instead, some of you are on here to take exception with the statements Emily made. So easily rattled…

I’m speechless at the man-splaining, the negation/cancelling out of live experiences, and the obvious white, male insecurity on display.

I’m speechless because I’m not surprised at some of the responses here. I’m also speechless because myself and many BIPOC folks are really tired of doing your work for you.

Emily
Emily
3 years ago
Reply to  W. Cortez

Thank you Cortez for having the courage speak out against obvious racism in this thread.

If track cycling is truly inclusive, then we would be welcoming of POC opinions and feedback.

There is a universal saying in most minority communities: “we are inclusive…if you are white”.

Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  W. Cortez

I 100% agree with both of your sentiments. I would love a little clarification and maybe further thoughts on this broad subject – would you argue that the most effective changes would be to get rid of the velodrome or would it be to actively increase usage to it? (I know it’s going away and this is obviously cutting everyone out).

I ask this because mountain biking has historically been a very white, elitist and male dominated sport (just like pretty much all cycling as you noted), but gateway green seems to be acting as a good entryway for mountain biking and cycling in general. It’s slowly changing in regards to gender, but still _very_ white dominated.

I also ask this because during the off-road cycling master plan meetings, some of the people involved were actively arguing against including Forest Park because of how white and exclusive its community is. This was mentioned by both a black woman who was sitting on the board who was a mountain biker previously (she wasn’t anymore since she moved to Portland because she knows PDX sucks for mountain biking) and also played out by a well-to-do, older white woman who has actively been lobbying against mtbs in FP for quite some time (and very vocally). I also am of the opinion that the way FP is currently being run is pretty elitist and implicitly discourages BIPOC and more working class families to not use it. And to be completely honest, everyone at the meeting obviously had the privilege of having free time in the afternoon during the middle of the week to participate in this meeting, so it cuts sooo many needed voices out.

What do you think about increasing mountain bike and cycling access in Forest Park? How do you feel about the park now? The fact that it sit so close to North Portland seems like it could really help break down some barriers.

Cheers and thank you for coming here and sharing.

tee
tee
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Sad to see the Alpenrose Velodrome go. I grew up going to watch races there and loved the experience. I also would love to see mountain bike/cycling access to Forest Park, and we can accommodate both more opportunities for bicycling in places like Forest Park and track racing. This does not have to be a zero sum game.

Emily
Emily
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

From my perspective as a minority rider, track racing hasn’t increased diversity since Major Taylor, almost 100 years ago. Velodrome is of the few remaining symbols of white privilege in our sport, in the eyes of minorities.

If we are talking about potentially allocating future tax dollars to build and attract the most diverse users, then building a velodrome with public funding should be a the absolute bottom of the list.

Then there is the issue that Aplenrose is private property. Minorities know not to trespass on private property regardless if the public is welcome.

Mtn biking has few barriers for participation. You can show up in jeans, maybe a helmet, with a $200 walmart bike and simply ride.

Yes, mtn biking is primarily white, but its the most diverse and fastest growing of all cycling categories.
There are lots of mintories people who ride mtn bikes, but they tend to gravitate towards each other due to toxic male culture. If you don’t have a lot of minority friends, I can see how our sport can appear very white.

More mtn biking in Forest park is needed. Minorities are well aware we are not encouraged to participate with FP policy planning as you highlighted. I hope someday that will change and am encouraged that you have identified this challenge.

FP is vitally important for more BIPOC participation due to its proximity, and relatively “easy” trails, Leif Ericsson.

Lastly, thank you for asking my opinion and experience.

Steve C
Steve C
3 years ago
Reply to  Emily

I’m sorry you had these experiences with track racing Emily. Cycling has been and continues to be racist. This is something that can be hard for white cyclists like myself to confront while still loving and advocating for the sport.

I believe bike racing can be really fun and rewarding for everyone. And I hope for the sake of our multicultural society that there is an anti-racist way forward for a beautiful sport like bike racing. But I think it’s important to accept that getting into bike racing in general can be extremely intimidating for anyone. And I can imagine the experience of being a minority in that environment would only add to the difficulty in feeling comfortable and accepted.

And your point about public facilities and funding being focused on fostering inclusion is well put. Any spending we do on bicycle infrastructure should center racial equity. I disagree that a new Portland velodrome would be a misallocation of funds better put towards Gateway Green type projects. I think we can do both. But I do think the only way to do it right would be for white cyclists to put more energy and time into confronting and actively combating racism and misogyny within the community.

Emily
Emily
3 years ago
Reply to  Steve C

H Steve, your response is refreshing dialogue about equity. You and Alex’s responses is a golden example how discussion of race and equity should be written.

“disagree that a new Portland velodrome would be a misallocation of funds better put towards Gateway Green type projects. I think we can do both.”

Any politician or park engineer would be encouraged to review data sources like OBRAs track race roster to review minority participation over the years. If minority participation cannot be tracked in an upward trajectory over time, then no public funding should be allocated for a new Velodrome. Does that seem fair? If OBRA haven’t improved inclusion in the past 30 years of racing, what is the proof that we will change that in the future?

On the other hand, minority participation in mtn biking has consistently increased, IMHO. If you are going to own one bicycle, it will most likely be a mtn bike (not a track bike). Thus, minorities have the tools to participate, right away. I’m sure with more formal data analysis, inclusion trajectory can be tacked within mtn biking category over the years.

I get where you are coming from: if you are a white male, you have faith things will improve for minorities. And I hope you are right.

Minorities do not have faith inclusion will improve over time. And looking at the racist comments here on BP, doesn’t give me faith that change will happen anytime soon.

Thank you for your thoughts! lets continue this dialogue?

Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  Emily

@Emily Thanks for following up, really great to hear you talk about it and that you see the need for more FP access. I urge you to write to the Parks and Rec board with your opinions and also give feedback on GG. Here is an email for ORCMP – offroadcycling@portlandoregon.gov. Here is an email for the assistant to the director of the parks board – brooke.gardner@portlandoregon.gov.

I do think the City does see the need, but there are some NIMBY’s blocking it. From the last PPR board meeting on it: “Although the ORCMP proposes a good locational mix of bicycle parks,” she wrote, “it proposes no new urban off-road cycling trails on the west side. Further, the ORCMP does not adequately identify opportunities to connect parks to parks, parks to schools and parks to trails.” The reason there was no new proposals was because one of the NIMBY’s has basically successfully stifled any movement on this issue in FP.

Hope to run into on the trails some day!

rick
rick
3 years ago
Reply to  Emily

TriMet bus 1 stops directly by the Alpenrose property. No bus has likely ever operated on the outer areas of NW Skyline Blvd. Track bikes can be made from single speed used bikes. Mtb bikes quickly go through brake pads.

Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  rick

Most velodromes cost money to ride at. Probably about the cost of a set of brake pads each time.

You can easily get dropped off very close to the Thurman entrance. Just because you can’t get dropped off at every entrance doesn’t make it inaccessible.

Mountain bikes can be made from single speed used bikes.

rick
rick
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Mtb racing is not cheap. Including others in light of the time schedule of many people, what mtb races could be held at Forest Park or other suitable sites at night? I’ve seen a cyclocross racer nearly get dirt tossed into the compound fractured leg at PIR. Mtb race facilities in the USA aren’t generally centrally located, by housing, located near jobs, schools, or public transit or potential transit, like most velodromes.

rick
rick
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Mountain bike racing costs more than track racing.

Eric H
Eric H
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Wait, there were off-road cycling master plan meetings?! Gee, I wonder whatever happened to the ORCMP? If only someone could dig into it and do some follow up reporting.

Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  Eric H

It basically got shelved because of lack of funding. The parks/rec board thought the plan was ok, but it should have included even more access.

https://bikeportland.org/2018/04/13/in-off-road-plan-letter-parks-board-supports-trails-in-forest-park-and-river-view-natural-area-275373

https://bikeportland.org/tag/off-road-cycling-master-plan

Eric H
Eric H
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Thanks Alex. Trust me when I say I’ve followed the issue quite closely and know what happened. I occasionally like to try to prod JM to dig into the matter further and report on it to bring the light of day back on it and how horrible Portland has been to mountain bikers. But hey, we got a mile or two of singletrack, jump lines, and a concrete pump track that’s sandwiched between 2 major highways and nearly inaccessible to safely get to, so we should be happy, right?

Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  Eric H

Fair! Mountain biking in Portland is pretty infuriating. I am only about 25% joking when I say we should just be cutting rogue trails in FP. It’s really the only way we are going to get trails in FP at this point. If we can’t get funding during the best of times, what’s it going to take to ever get it done?

rick
rick
3 years ago
Reply to  Eric H

Portland spends money on artwork instead using the general fund. Mtb racing costs lots of more money when starting it compared to starting in track racing. Plus, the Velodrome was far more accessible to people with disabilities than Forest Park.

W. Cortez
W. Cortez
3 years ago
Reply to  Emily

So you posted this without comment. What’s your point?

Want me to set up a conference call with Mateen, you, and me? Would love to hear how you are attempting to tokenize him.

Emily
Emily
3 years ago

Thanks for your support Johnathan, and your willingness to identify racism at BP. Our cycling community has a racism problem.

Your own silence with past racist comments in comments section have been famously noted with our minority community for years. However, I am grateful that you have at least taken the first step to identify personal change. Thank you.

Please consider requiring real names to be used in for comments sections. Real names hold everyone accountable for choosing to use racists comments or not (yes, racism is a choice). It also identifies who chooses to remain silent in the face of racism.

Ben G
Ben G
3 years ago

Thanks for the great times Alpenrose. You were my first official bike race venue at the velodrome and first cyclocross venue too. I learned a lot, suffered even more and met a lot of great people on those grounds. Wish it could have gone differently, like wish it had been offered to the community, but I can’t be mad. It’s business. And we got so much out of it without paying more than a race entry fee. Guess the good times gotta end some time.

Geoff Grummon-Beale
Geoff Grummon-Beale
3 years ago

I’m really glad to have many opportunities to have raced cyclocross at Alpenrose. It was a truly unique venue located within the city limits.

BradWagon
3 years ago

This is so disheartening I have had to try and ignore/digest it’s reality for a few days now before even saying anything publicly. Alpenrose, like many, is the reason I got into bike racing with the Blind Date CX series a few years ago. Fast forward to 2019 when I managed to take the overall win for that years weeknight series. To be honest it is not likely I race cyclocross as competitively ever again given that this venue accounted for about half of the races I did in an entire season and was within short riding distance from my house.

For as much as I look back and hate to not have those experiences for myself again I am mostly sad for all of the memories I was looking forward to having there watching my kids race that now will not happen. This is so representative of how our society holds private gain over public good that I am genuinely angry thinking of the future in store for my kids where “public spaces” are built entirely around driving cars or a having a manicured outdoor experience.

Alpenrose was so different in that it existed in an undefined grey area of public space. It just was without the restrictions of private gain dictating it’s use nor the bureaucracy of a publicly ownership overthinking it’s existence. It was a place that from the users perspective was void of the pretense, people could just be there, welcomed into the “secret spot”. With a society that so rigidly controls what can and cannot be done when and where and a public body that unfortunately needs to increasingly be controlled in this way these types of places where people, and specifically kids, can just exist will be missed.

bArbaroo
bArbaroo
3 years ago

There were a lot of people who put a lot of time into making the velodrome and track racing scene happen (Thank you Mike and Candy to start but there were countless others). They created an amazing community of people and it gave aspiring racers an opportunity to try a sport that is not available in many communities. It was always free to go there and train and that’s not the case at many velodromes in the USA. I spent many hours there training alone and many hours hanging out and racing with friends. Bikes and clinics were accessible for those who needed the financial or skill assistance. It was a remarkable community of people. AND it was FUN! For me, racing on that track was some of the most fun I’ve had cycling. Waiting at the rail to start, accelerating onto the bank, sticking to the blue line focused on smoothness and speed, and taking the awkward curves(especially corner #4 back in the day 😉 and dropping onto the apron all out of breath, are memories I’ll never forget. There’s nothing quite like feeling your own power propel you around a 45 degree bank. It’s sad knowing that other young riders won’t have the opportunity to experience track racing at Alpenrose. Thanks to everyone who had a part in making that place special.