Walking through the gates of Herne Hill velodrome on Burbage Road hasn’t changed much in the last 129 years. The unassuming seven-foot high curved brick walls still stand between the Victorian three-storey houses. The tarmac driveway has been relaid and the trees are taller, but little else hints at any modernisation.
But walk up the driveway for a hundred metres or so and you’re met with a complete transformation of what is now one of Britain’s most used cycling facilities. All of this has taken place since 2010 when Herne Hill velodrome was facing closure.
Despite a good level of usage, and competent management from Peter Cattermole of resident club VC Londres, massive investment was needed for the track, seating and pavilion. But landlords Dulwich Estates weren’t willing to give British Cycling a long-term lease, and without that BC couldn’t justify a six-figure investment to relay the track. It’s future hung in the balance.
A public meeting took place that led to the launch of the Save the Velodrome campaign, and unbeknownst to anyone at the time, one of the UK’s oldest and most historied sporting facilities was saved. “There was a big meeting at Dulwich College; the amount of people that were there, and the love for this place, it was a real power to the people moment,” explains our 2020 Local Hero Phil Wright, as we talk about his time volunteering at Herne Hillvelodrome.
“People were saying, ‘Hang on, this can’t happen, this is too good to lose.’ It was really powerful. And the thought of losing the track was a tragedy in our house because me and my son had both started to really get into track cycling, and I’d just bought my first track bike!”
Esta historia es de la edición December 17, 2020 de CYCLING WEEKLY.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición December 17, 2020 de CYCLING WEEKLY.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
CLASSIC BIKE COLNAGO SUPER
A trailblazing bike immortalised by Merckx and Saronni
"Strava activities are the only way I know some of my friends are still alive"
...or that Bernard is doing his weekly shop
AN EXPERT'S TAKE ON... SADDLE SELECTION
Crucial advice to guide your next purchase
JUST A NUMB#R?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
RURAL PERIL
More UK cyclists are killed on rural lanes than on busy city streets. Rob Kemp investigates why and what can be done to keep us safe while riding in the countryside
A BLESSED RIDE THROUGH THE FOREST OF BOWLAND
Forgoing cloak, cassock and cross, Trevor Ward goes in search of the holy roads that helped make a Tour winner
Dame Sarah Storey claims road and 19th gold double
More success for Team GB's Paralympians in Paris, but Storey slams women's time trial course
Roglič matches Vuelta win record
Slovenian takes fourth Tour of Spain title after hunting down O'Connor's lead, writes Adam Becket
Williams crowned Tour of Britain champion
Welshman leads home resurgence at the stage race to crown an Israel-Premier Tech clean sweep, reports Tom Davidson in Felixstowe
CLASSIC BIKE CLAUD BUTLER OLYMPIC ROAD
Iconic British brand's Holdsworth-era road bike