Alpenrose Velodrome is one most exciting tracks in the United States. At 268.43 meters around with a 16.6 meter radius and a 43 degree bank, Alpenrose is also one of the steepest velodromes in the country. The steep banks make races on the velodrome interesting to watch and just plain fun to ride. Alpenrose is home to the longest running North American Six-day race.
Because Alpenrose track is not your typical round flat banked track (it is between 42 and 43 at the steepest part), so at least one or two training sessions are recommended before venturing out for a mass start race. You especially want to get used to riding the short radius corners.
Availability
The Alpenrose Velodrome is one of the few tracks without a lock and key. Riders are allowed to come ride the track any day of the week as long it is not during an organized scheduled track session. Scheduled sessions are not closed to specific groups and are open to all. The group organizing scheduled sessions will determine the program and they may charge a fee. The schedule for racing and training sessions is here. Please visit our Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/AlpenroseVelodrome/ for the most up to date information about cancelations due to rain or rain delays for scheduled events.
Bike Lockers
A limited number of individual bike lockers are available on a first come first serve basis. There is a $150 fee for the season. Renter is responsible for providing their own lock. Contact Jen Featheringill, jfeatheringill@obra.org, for availability and more information.
Bikes
Make sure that your bike is in good condition and remember during race sessions only track bikes are allowed as per OBRA rules. Track bikes have no brakes, a fixed gear, plugs in the bars that do not face forward, etc. Tires should be firmly affixed to the rims and tires should be ridden and/or cleaned before riding on the bank to remove any coating which might make the tire slippery. Slippery tires or slow speeds can cause bikes to slide down off the banks causing injuries. The minimum speed to safely make it around the corners is 12 mph or 19 kph. This varies with poor, brand new, or over inflated tires, so be careful.
Cost
OBRA membership is required for races. A membership may be purchased at the race or on-line or by printing out the membership form and mailing it in. OBRA membership is not required for training sessions. There are fees for all racing sessions and for some training sessions. The Wednesday evening Track Development Classes is $20 for adult riders and $10 for junior riders, including use of a loaner bike. For racing sessions and some other training sessions loaner bikes are available for $5/session.
Facilities
Alpenrose seats about 500 spectators, but has ample room in the grass along the velodrome for easily over 500 more. Riders take over the grass infield during races. There are bathrooms in the parking area. Showers are available for race participants by contacting the race organizer. Racers can use also use the portable toilets on the infield (May through the end of August). Water is no available in the infield, so you may want to bring your own water. Concessions are available at the velodrome, quarter midget race track and baseball diamonds during some sessions
Host Housing
For those of you who will be coming from out of town and need a place to stay, please contact Jen Featheringill, jfeatheringill@obra.org and she will try to help out with host housing.
Location
Alpenrose Velodrome’s address is 6149 SW Shattuck, Portland, Oregon. One way to get to the track is to take the Terwilliger exit (297) off of I-5, then go straight for half a mile (north) on Bertha Street or Terwilliger to Highway 10 and take a left (west). Follow Highway 10 for 2 miles, also called the Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway, until you get to the Muchas Gracias (on the left) and take a left (south) on Shattuck Street. Follow Shattuck for about half a mile, until you get to the Alpenrose Dairy, on the right (6149 SW Shattuck).
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Parking
Alpenrose has ample parking. During off hours, just come into the dairy and park next to the track. During weekday races you will likely need park slightly to the north of the track and doubled up. During larger events riders will park behind the track or in the rodeo area and enter the velodrome from the rear while spectators will park either in the front parking lot area just before the velodrome (room for about a 1,000 cars) or if they are lucky they make it to just in front of the velodrome. Officials will be parking in the area that the riders use during the weekday and local weekend races. Remember that we share the dairy grounds with other events and be on the lookout for little softball, baseball and quarter midget racing kids running around.
Weather
While July and August are the driest months, Alpenrose has very few rain outs during the season. Detailed temperature records are available for Beaverton. During events, follow the Twitter account for the velodrome @AlpenroseVelo for weather related delays.