Custom Bike Raffle

Don't forget about this cool raffle......

a $20.00 ticket gives you the chance at a chi-chi 

Track Bike Frame and Fork Raffle
Cicli Polito is building a limited edition 
track bike (one).  It will be a work of art 
custom built for the winner.

Drawing will be the first quarter of 2009.

See; three things you can buy for that cyclist fan that will make them feel good and go towards our non-profit.

Racing Jerseys Available

There are only 6 of these still available.

A prime for a $99.00 donation. ($99.00 is tax deductible)

Racing Kit Jersey- 
The first dozen or so have been 
generously donated by Pyro apparel.
Patterned after geonetric styles of retro 
racing track jerseys in CBC colors

Please note that there is no white area on the front.

Please contact us at velodrome4c@gmail.com if interested in these.

Wool Jerseys Still Available

There are a very limited amount of the wool jerseys still available.

Old School Jersey :  A prime for a $199 donation. ($124 is tax deductible) - this is a unique design, a collectable limited run of only 50 (Only 27 left!).   ordering info with sizing These washable 100% Merino Wool jerseys are very classically designed with Cleveland's century of track cycling history in mind. Our project is legally connected to the Cleveland Bicycle Club which began in 1879. (read our history section on the website!) The CBC logo is displayed prominently on the front. The font for Cleveland Velodrome is based on a Cleveland area Cycling Route Book from the 1890's. Orange and Blue are officially CBC colors- this jersey is styled after a race kit from the 70's

You can order them at the website.

Chagrin Falls Cyclocross Race

Well, 84 racers showed up and enjoyed the music, costumes, racing and beer.....and cowbell.

Fast Track Cycling will receive $500.00 from the proceeds of the race.

Results can be found here.

Photos can be found here.

Thanks for all of the volunteers, the racers, the sponsors and the people that came out to cheer on the racers and enjoy the race.

Cyclocross & Track Racing?

What does Cyclocross & Track Racing have in common?

Well, this Cyclocross race Saturday will donate all of the proceeds to Fast Track Cycling.

It's a great venue and there will be a beer garden, great music and racers wearing costumes.

Hope to see you there!

A Letter of Support

Fast Track Cycling just received a Letter of Support from Phyllis Cleveland, Councilwoman, Ward 5.

We should be hearing if this is a "go" on this site in the very near future.

Congrats to Local Jr. Track Cyclists at Nationals

I dont know results for the entire team yet, but I picked this up from USA Cycling's website:
Congrats to local Jr. Track Cyclist Eric Madis on third place in Jr Mens 10-12 500 Meter TT.
Keep at it Eric!

hope this helps...

The Fast Track Board made the decision on the site to pursue. We are putting together paperwork etc to finalize things, so should be able to have an official press release soon.

I am very pleased with this site to focus on- so encouraged by the surrounding community and their progressive outlook for cycling. The dynamics of this location reduces the price down considerably for a complete civic oriented center with fitness gym, pro shop, cafe and concessions, - very doable!

We have begun organizing the official Capital Campaign- Ideally the timeline: 6-9 months for fundraising then groundbreaking, 9 months for construction. So its doable to be open in a year and a half- ("but not without you" is my new saying)

Thanks so much for your interest!

NPR coverage

Photo by Rick

Civic Innovation Lab generously provided booth space at the past weekend's Burning River Festival. It was a great way to talk with many people about the progress we've made. Also a pleasure to meet Program Director Mark Urycki of WKSU Kent- he seemed very interested in the project and asked many questions. Then he brought out his tape recorder- my first interview for NPR....

Plain Dealer

The Velodrome project got a pretty good write up in the Plain Dealer today:
in the Whatever Happened To.... column

Northcoast Flatland BMX- Saturday May 24th

more info and registration HERE

Proposed location

Many people ask where the track will be. That is of course a crucial question. With details of negotiations still to work out, all I can say is that we believe the Berea region, for Greater Cleveland centrality, to be the best option. We have made considerable progress with defining the requirements by the County and our project numbers. It would be a tremendous help if NE Ohio residents could contact the County Commissioners office to make them aware of your support.
The person designated to work with us is (kinda moot now)

Flatland BMX at the Galleria

The Galleria is letting us host the regional Flatland BMX Saturday May 24th. Inside, at the East Court.
For more info about this growing sport- the Voodoo nationals are in New Orleans on May 30th.

This is sure to be a fun event to see. Check back to our website for more details soon.

Founder's Club

Thank you to these new members of the Founders Club, who received a jersey with a $200 donation-

Greg Jackson
Sherman McKee
David Walkowiak
Paul Bedell
Gary Burkholder
Matt Litzler
John Bodell
Brad Beeson
Mark Horton

Three Pocket Old School Jerseys are in!

They were held up in customs for a few weeks, but they've arrived here at the office today. They look so sharp!
Available online from our website

Rubber City Alley Cat

Akron, Ohio's first alley cat!
Saturday, April 5th, 2008- A bike race of epic proportions. Featuring checkpoints all around the city, a "king of the mountains" challenge, prizes for the winners and participants, and an after party at The Matinee, 812 West Market Street, Akron, OH 44303, featuring Birds & Elephants & Social Insecurity. Between the race and after party join Akron Food Not Bombs for a free dinner fit for a rubber burning cyclist.
$10, 2pm Check-In, 3pm Race
Meet at 812 West Market Street, Akron, OH 44303
the race flyer here

First FUNdraisers

Just about finishing the planning stages for our first FUNdraisers. Looking forward to them!
So far: a weekly group ride with a local twist, a mini-film festival with a dinner and auction at a downtown restaurant, an art show during Cleveland Bike Week, and more.
And yes, the much awaited 3 pocket jerseys should arrive this week!

New Office

Fast Track has opened our new office-
1663 Main St. Downstairs
Peninsula, OH 44264
(still the same phone number.)

the second building up the hill from the bridge,
just across the river from the towpath.

3-D models- Proposed Layout

The architect has told me that it is transluscent looking in, as well as looking out. Keep in mind the structure is 110 feet high, maintaining comfortable temperatures year round.

rendering of our velodrome

This is a scan of the cross section rendering of our velodrome.
350'wide x700' long x 110' high. The ends are clear, the top is alternating clear and translucent.

Inspirations

It will be a year that I started working on this full time on Feb 15. I had mulled about it for a couple years, but I decided to dedicate my efforts 100%. These people were my inspirations:

Erik Weihenmayer, the blind alpine climber who scaled Everest. Why?
It didnt matter all the people who said why he shouldnt, he was determined to do it. He didnt let his challenges become limitations. Being the first person to do it blind, he would have to learn each step as he went, and he couldnt do it alone- he needed a large team of people who believed in the idea also.

Kyle MacDonald, who started with a paper clip and traded up to house in a year. This velodrome is no different but on a different scale. Last year, I had $2000 and a concept on an old laptop. I am a self employed artist, so I could work during the day on the velodrome full time. I understood this project is all about leverage, and if he could accomplish that, this velodrome is possible for Cleveland. Everyone who has helped in any way got us to the next level.
So one year later, I am very pleased to be this far, with everyone's help- especially the Board and people who have contributed. (read the other post from today... ) THANK YOU

Progress

For all the people who read this- (thank you Bike Messengers of Cleveland- your encouragement keeps me going...) You should know just how far we've made it.

In a development like this, the business plan is intensive and extensive. 5 year financial projections, feasibility studies, operations, management, economic impact, etc, etc has to be researched by knowledgeable professionals. We are 99% done with the Pro Forma, maybe 50% done with the rest of it.

But the most important thing is the Architectural plans are 95% complete, with renderings- we know what its going to look like. It is phenomenal. There is no other velodrome like this in the world. Hugh Downs is making a documentary called "Buildings of the Future" and this type of building is one of them. This structure is "Green" off the charts. It also reduces the cost of the entire project in half , operating costs in half, and the whole thing, track and all, can be completed in 6 months.

So now you can see I am focused on funding. Cleveland has this chance to accomplish something truly internationally significant.