Cycle speedway

Cycle speedway is a form of bicycle racing which takes place on short oval outdoor dirt tracks, typically around 70-90 metres in length. Like motorcycle speedway, riders use machines without brakes or gears and slide their bikes round the turns.

Related Topics:
Bicycle racing - Motorcycle speedway

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Cycle speedway is normally a club team sport, with matches contested between two opposing teams. Each race is contested by two members of each team, and a match normally consists of between 16 and 20 races. Points are awarded for placings in each race; the winning team will be the one with the highest total at the end of the match.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Races involve four riders racing anti-clockwise round four laps of the track, the winner being the first one across the line. Each rider uses a single-speed bicycle (equipped with a freewheel mechanism, and usually based around a stripped-down mountain bike frame), and riders usually slide their left, 'inside' foot along the track as they race round the turns. Physical contact is both legal and often necessary; clothing will usually cover the whole body from the neck down, with padding for knees, elbows and hips; helmets are also required.

Related Topics:
Single-speed bicycle - Freewheel - Mountain bike

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the United Kingdom, cycle speedway emerged during the early post-World War II years when motorcycle speedway was also enjoying a boom. The sport is administered by the British Cycling Federation.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - World War II - British Cycling Federation

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~