July 1, 1893 – It was a beautiful day for a bike ride! At least in San Francisco where on this day they opened the first American wooden bicycle race track. Velodrome is the proper name of the venues that started popping up all over the world in the late 19th and early twentieth century as people racing bikes around a wooden oval track was all the rage.
According to Wikipedia, the first such cycling stadium was built in 1877, the Preston Park Velodrome in Brighton, United Kingdom, constructed by the British Army. Some of these sites after that were purpose-built just for cycling, and others were built as part of facilities for other sports; many were built around athletics tracks or other grounds and any banking was shallow.
We have talked about football fields being placed in the infield of these velodromes on many of football history podcasts on SHN.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
Why 1973 Minnesota Vikings Were Best Team of Decade
The common opinions that I have read regarding the best Minnesota Vikings team of
Mike Ditka: Ukrainian American Football Legend
Last year, Mike Ditka, a former American football player, coach, and television commentator, celebrated
Testosterone and Fitness: What Every Man Should Know
For any man serious about achieving results in the gym, testosterone plays a more
From Heartbreak to Triumph: The Red Sox Story
Founded in 1901 as a charter member of the American League, the Boston Red
From Heartbreak to History: The Philadelphia Phillies’ Journey To Glory
Believe it or not, the Philadelphia Phillies franchise dates back to 1883, when Chester
Discussing Dallas Cowboys’ Best Team of the 1970s
Were it not for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Dallas Cowboys would undoubtedly be called
A Lamb to the Slaughter (WWE Superstar – Sergeant Slaughter)
There’s a reason there’s never been a mainstream movie about Drill Instructor training school. A
The Frustrating History of the New York Jets
Although I was a Dallas Cowboys fan as a young boy, I couldn’t help