These professionals will not be like NFL or NHL stars buying huge houses in the suburbs. A track will allow us to host events such as the National and World Championships, the Goodwill Games, and the Pan-Am games. Cycling, track cycling in particular, has a huge following in Europe. A track here will benefit local colleges and universities, not only by giving their cycling teams a home for events and practice, but by strengthening their overseas recruitment effort as well. But elite-level racing is only part of the picture, the most visible tip of the iceberg.
Development programs form the massive base.
This is where kids and local folks will be introduced to the sport. Air Products Inc. has sponsored a program in Pennsylvania for 25 years that has produced numerous national, Olympic, and world champions. More importantly, thousands of young riders have delighted in learning the sport and its lessons in fitness, tactics, and teamwork. The program's enrollment is filled for the next three years. The author rounds the corner at Jewell and Trumbull streets, May 1998.