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
No Potatoes For Fat Men! George Halas and the 1946 Chicago Bears
There are comebacks…and then there are comebacks! In 1946, the Chicago Bears won still
Sports History On This Day: June 5
June 5, 1952 – It is sports television history that occurred on this date! The
Sports History On This Day: June 4
June 4, 1927 – The very first Ryder Cup Golf tournament was held. Matches were
Sports History On This Day: June 3
June 3, 1937 – One of the most prolific power hitters of all time, Josh
Sports History On This Day: June 2
June 2, 1935 – All good things must come to an end, in fact even
Aaron Tallent: A Seasoned Communications Professional Shares Some Football Stories
Aaron Tallent rides shotgun in the DeLorean to take us back to the days
Sports History On This Day: June 1
June 1, 1923 – The New York Giants did something no one had done before
Sports History On This Day: May 31
May 31, 1930 – At the famous St. Andrews Links in Scotland during the British