Checking in on the Alpenrose Velodrome renovation project

Castelli will donate $60 dollars to OBRA for every
one of these jerseys they sell (price is $100).

The Oregon Bicycle Racing Association (OBRA) is just about $5,000 short of meeting their goal for the first phase of a fundraising effort to replace the pock-marked and cracking concrete surfaces on the venerable Alpenrose Velodrome in Portland’s southwest hills.

The renovation of the straightaways began back in March and has now been completed. “The new portions are amazingly smooth,” says Velodrome manager Mike Murray. The total cost was just over $51,000.

Phase two of the project — the paved infield portion of the track (a.k.a. the apron) — will be equally as expensive. Once all the work is done, Murray says the project will, “Make almost a new velodrome and will keep Alpenrose running for the next 20-30 plus years.”

After several fundraising parties (including one in May hosted by Upper Echelon Fitness that raised nearly $5,000) and an outpouring of online donations, the community has raised $35,925 so far. In addition, OBRA has kicked in $10,000. That leaves just about $5,000 left to fully fund the first phase of the project. Murray says the generous folks at Alpenrose Dairy are paying for the project so the racing season isn’t interrupted; but he expects the community to step up and pay them back:

“We owe them for their generosity in not only having the velodrome and supporting its continued operation but also for allowing OBRA to operate from the site. We have several containers of equipment for road, cross and mountain bike races as well as several trucks and trailers that are all stored there.”

To keep the fundraising going, local bike shop Bike ‘N Hike will throw a special benefit party in early June (stay tuned for details) and local apparel brand Castelli is selling a custom run of Alpenrose Velodrome jerseys. Castelli will donate $60 out of the $100 price directly to the velodrome renovations. (Here’s the link to order the jersey online.) You can also donate online via OBRA’s website.

Alpenrose is a centerpiece of Portland’s vibrant racing scene. Let’s make sure we all do our part to keep it that way.