For those of you who’ve followed cycling within Boulder County, you’ll recall a number of fits and starts regarding a homegrown velodrome. Over the years we’ve heard everything from wild rumor to near-misses…but to date just the dedicated gang at Boulder Indoor Cycling has managed to establish a dedicated cycling venue in or around Boulder.
Owner of University Bikes, Doug Emerson, has been working to change that record by helping to establish a full-length outdoor velodrome somewhere in Boulder County. With his partner, Frank Banta, Emerson has quietly put in several years of work toward that end–if all goes as planned, construction will begin on the Boulder Valley Velodrome this May, in Erie, just east of Boulder.
Banta and Emerson launched Boneshaker, LLC, a company devoted to the project and they’re now accepting “founding members.” For an initial donation of $5000, you’ll be one of the visionary few to help create a national-caliber velodrome within pedaling distance of the Pearl Street Mall. Your 5-large gets you bike rentals, preferential seating and track time, and full access through 2016.
Yeah, it’s a chunk of coin…but truth is, Boulder is full of bike-mad folks who can afford it. This is a great project and one that will give kids a great place to hang and develop their cycling. Consider it.
For images of the proposed design and all the details, go to BoulderVelodrome.com. Big thanks to Doug Emo and Frank Banta for getting so far in the process…having a local vel has been a long-time dream for many in Boulder County. Right on!
