Herne Hill Velodrome facts for kids
Herne Hill in 2012
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| Former names | London County Grounds |
|---|---|
| Location | Burbage Road Herne Hill London |
| Coordinates | 51°27′4″N 0°5′29″W / 51.45111°N 0.09139°W |
| Owner | Dulwich Estate |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1891 |
The Herne Hill Velodrome is a famous outdoor velodrome (a track built for bicycle racing) located in Herne Hill, south London. It is one of the oldest cycling tracks in the world, first built way back in 1891. This historic venue hosted the track cycling events during the 1948 Summer Olympics. It was also briefly home to Crystal Palace Football Club during World War I.
For many years, Herne Hill was London's only cycling track. This was true from 1987 until 2011, when the London Velopark opened for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Contents
History of the Velodrome
How Herne Hill Velodrome Started
The velodrome was first known as the London County Grounds. It was the track for the London County Cycling and Athletic Club. People started calling it Herne Hill track because of its location in Herne Hill.
George Hillier, an amateur bike racer, founded the velodrome in 1891. Before Herne Hill, the main cycling spot was at Crystal Palace. However, that track wasn't very good. Hillier wanted a better track south of the River Thames. He found a suitable area in Herne Hill and leased it from the Dulwich College Trustees.
Work on the new track began in September 1890 and finished quickly in March 1891. The very first race for club members happened on April 16, 1891. The first big public event was held on May 23 that same year.
Track Design and Changes
The track was first designed with small bankings (sloped turns). These slopes were made higher later on. The original surface was red shale, which needed a lot of maintenance.
In 1893, wooden slats replaced the shale. This made for faster races but also more crashes when it rained. Finally, in 1896, the track was paved with concrete, which was much better. Many cycling records were broken on this track.
Good Friday Cycling Events
Since 1903, Herne Hill has hosted the famous Good Friday cycling meetings. These events were organized by the Southern Counties Cycle Union. Many world champion cyclists have competed there.
In the 1920s and 1930s, these meetings attracted huge crowds, sometimes as many as 10,000 people. National and world records were often set at Herne Hill. For example, Frank Southall broke many records in the late 1920s and early 1930s.
Due to the track needing repairs and bad weather, the Good Friday meeting moved away for a few years. However, new plans were made for Herne Hill to host new Good Friday events. These new events focus on school races, disability cycling, women's groups, and different age groups.
War, Damage, and the Olympics
The National Cyclists Union took over the lease for Herne Hill in 1942. The track had been damaged during World War II because it was used for a gun battery. Weeds grew tall through cracks in the concrete.
A lot of work was needed to fix it up. The organizing committee for the 1948 Olympic Games chose Herne Hill as the only suitable track for cycling. They said a lot of repairs were needed for both the races and the spectators.
The track was repaired, and permanent stands were built. These stands were the only permanent buildings put up by the Olympic organizers. Roads and entrances were also improved. A temporary stand was added for journalists, who had telephone boxes to report the news.
The cycling press felt disappointed that the Games started without a big ceremony. They said it felt like an ordinary race day. The racing was exciting, but some thought the organization was not great. For example, a final race was held so late it was almost dark.
Keeping the Track Alive
During the 1950s and 1960s, the track hosted famous international cyclists like Jacques Anquetil and Reg Harris. Later, the future of the track became uncertain. A big campaign was launched in the early 2000s to save it.
The problem was a disagreement between the landlord, Dulwich Estate, and the council. The track needed a lot of repairs, but investment was hard to get without a long lease.
Many famous cyclists supported the campaign, including Olympic gold medalist Bradley Wiggins. He started racing at Herne Hill when he was 12 years old. Other supporters included Victoria Pendleton and Ben Swift, along with local celebrities.
Track Features and Facilities
Herne Hill is a concrete track about 450 meters long. Its steepest banking (slope) is 18 degrees. This is different from modern Olympic velodromes, which are usually 250 meters long with much steeper bankings (around 45 degrees).
The original grandstand from 1891 was replaced with a new building in 2017. In the 1890s, there was an athletics track and tennis courts inside the cycling track. Later, the inner area was used for football or rugby. Today, the center of the track has a 250-meter warm-up track and a multi-use area. It's also used for cyclo-cross races.
Other Sports and Events
Football and Rugby History
The Velodrome was home to Crystal Palace F.C. from 1914 to 1918. They had to move because their usual stadium was used for World War I training. Crystal Palace FC usually had crowds of 3,000 to 4,000 people at Herne Hill.
Other football finals were also played here, like the FA Amateur Cup final in 1911.
Rugby clubs have also used the Velodrome. London Irish was the first rugby club based there, from 1898 to 1902. London Welsh Rugby Club called Herne Hill home for 40 years after World War I.
Other Events
The athletics track inside the cycling track hosted the 1934 WAAA Championships on June 30, 1934. Before World War I, the stadium was also used for motorcycle events.
Modern Upgrades and Future
Recent Improvements
As part of a project to improve sports facilities in Southwark, work began on upgrading the Velodrome in February 2013. The first phase included building a new 250-meter junior track. A hard surface area was also added for warming up and activities like bike polo. Floodlights were installed to allow training during darker winter months.
A grant of £200,000 from British Cycling helped resurface the main track. Another £1.5 million was secured from Sport England and the London Marathon Trust. This money was used to build a brand new pavilion.
New Pavilion Opening
The new pavilion was designed by Mike Taylor of Hopkins Architects, who also designed the London Olympic Velodrome. Construction started in April 2016 and was finished in 2017. The pavilion officially opened in March 2017. The president of the Union Cycliste Internationale, Brian Cookson, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony. These upgrades ensure Herne Hill Velodrome remains a fantastic place for cycling for many years to come.
See also
- List of cycling tracks and velodromes
