Given April's history of rain outs, Thursday night racing will begin in May this year. But early May is still dedicated to time trials which gives everyone a chance to see where spring training (or lack thereof) has left them. The first Thursday is dedicated to the most laid back event of all...or... well ...maybe the hardest depending on your attitude, the Kilo. This actually is one of two events, either the Kilo for Men between 17-49 or the 500 meter event for everyone else (of course you can sign up for either event). After the pain of the kilometer wears off, the next Thursday is Pursuit night where you can practice your TT skills for 7.4 (2k) to 14.9 (4k) laps depending on age and gender. Those that think that the Kilo is too long will have their chance on the third Thursday of May with the 200 meter TT. If there are no rain outs, May will wrap up with 3 omnium events and a madison on the 22nd and sprints and keirin on the final Thursday of the month.

The next three months (June, July and August) are pretty much the same, rain, no race; no rain, race. But to keep everyone happy, there are some differences depending on the night you show up.

The first Thursday of the month is points race night to work on your endurance. Well, endurance with the ability to sprint every 5 laps, or about 2 minutes. These races are longer, 40 to 80 laps and start with the lower categories and work there way up. Don't try to show up at 8:00 hoping to race the cat 1/2 race as Candi has been know to combine fields and push the race times up. There are no posted race times, so just show up early. The middle Thurdays of these months are dedciated to mass start races like miss-n-outs, win-n-outs, points, tempo, snow ball, avalanche, unknown, paced-points, scratch, grudge-match, and even madisons. Then the final Thursday of the month brings out keirins and the sprint series and joy for all those who think going hard for 3 laps is way, way too long. Using times from 200 meter sprints, riders are seeded into groups (A, B, C, etc) regardless of age or gender and the racing is on.

The final month of the season winds down with a few omnium events and madison racing. Madison is all about speed, or should I say the changing of speed. You go from a near stop to 30 miles per hour in a few seconds then back to a near stop until you go fast again and repeat this every minute until the race is over. So 30 seconds of going full speed, followed by 30 seconds rest, followed by ... you get the picture. Now is a time to see how much technique and speed you have gained during the season. Although turnout is usually a little light, this just means more time for those who show up.

Categories         Fees                      Prizes

Spectators         Free!                     
Kiddie Kilo        Free!                     Ribbons for all participants

Senior 1/2         $10/night, $100/season    1st $30/2nd $20/3rd $10 each session*, season trophy   
Senior 3           $10/night, $100/season    Ribbons each session, season trophy
Senior 4/5         $10/night, $100/season    Ribbons each session, season trophy
Women              $10/night, $100/season    Ribbons each session, season trophy
Juniors <16        $5/night, $50/season      Ribbons each session, season trophy    

* Cash prizes for time trials and sprints go to the fastest riders regardless of category

• Race categories may be combined

• GT rental bikes available, $5
• Bike lockers available. $100 individual/$300 team/season. Sold first come first serve at the track.

• Racing cancelled in the event of rain
• OBRA membership required.  OBRA membership may be purchased at the track.

• Event organized by Portland Velodrome Committee
• Info: Mike Murray, 503-661-5874.


Please see the Thursday schedule to see what's happening each week.