The Chicago Velo Campus is the first velodrome for Chicago in over a generation. Chicagoans and cyclists everywhere have the opportunity to make this an INDOOR VELODROME.
To help make this happen we have launched an aggressive CYCLE 4 SEASONS Campaign. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain access to the velodrome through 2014 by supporting this cause.
Our Story – “If You Build It, They Will Come!”
The Chicago Velo Campus is a modern day “Field of Dreams.” A group of volunteers set their sights on building Chicago a destination for cycling. Less than one year into the dream, dozens of area youth and adult volunteers came together to Chicago’s South Side to construct an outdoor velodrome.
Transforming this once vacant lot located on the former U.S. Steel site into a vibrant reality, demanded 36 days of hard labor from these passionate volunteers. The results are already having a dramatic impact on the community with hundreds of amateur and competitive cyclists spending time at the Chicago Velo Campus to hone their skills, and area youth embracing the sport through the Fix-to-Own program. Olympic talents are already being cultivated, area adults, children and teens are exercising and finding passion through the sport of cycling and elite riders are using the track to train and set new world records – there is truly something for everyone at the Chicago Velo Campus.
Our Mission
Lakeside Velo Works, Inc., a 166 meter wooden velodrome and community cycle shop, aims to promote the sport of cycling through youth educational programs, non-competitive riding, advanced training classes, and competitive events at the amateur, collegiate, and professional levels. Its vision is to make Chicago a mecca for world-class cycling by replacing its current 166 meter outdoor velodrome with a 250 meter Olympic-level indoor velodrome, training facility, and health club. The strategic location of the velodrome and cycle-shop on Chicago’s South Side makes the complex a centerpiece for future job creation and economic development in this often overlooked community.
What/Where/Why
The velodrome and cycle-shop at 8615 S. Burley is only the starting point of Chicago Velo Campus’s vision. This temporary structure is supported by metal undercarriage and utilizes Marine-grade plywood with “SkidGard” sandwich lamination to maintain maximum safety. Bicycles made specifically for the track featuring higher bottom brackets and fixed gears are available to at the facility. Elite and professional riders can reach up to 45+miles per hour and juniors over 10 can reach speeds of 25+ miles per hour on the track. The comprehensive 1,400 sqf cycle-shop at Chicago Velo Campus houses our “Fix-to-Own” recycling program, Velo Campus gear, and trainer’s where cyclists can continue their training during the winter months – all which help to broaden our reach in the community.
Our current projects at the velodrome include considerable community-focused elements which center on socially beneficial objectives, such as a community cycling center, youth and after school programs, and our “Fix-to-Own” recycling program, which gives neighborhood children the resources to repair old bikes of which they then become the owners. The programs are all designed to engage youth, develop their natural talents and passions and provide a safe place for children to focus their energies and contribute to the greater good of our community.
Through partnerships with local schools, universities, community groups and those seeking a positive environment – The Chicago Velo Campus is a place for development, education, training and most importantly fun. Anyone with the heart and desire to practice the sport of cycling can purchase a membership and will be provided the opportunity to utilize our donated bikes and use our velodrome at no added cost.
Founder and CEO of Lakeside Velo Works, Inc., is Emanuele Bianchi. Emanuele is an award-winning Italian designer, manufacturer and retailer of boutique pet products who moved his operations from Italy to the U.S. in 2004, and settled full-time in Chicago in 2006. Since then he has continued to broaden his business scope through new products and business ventures. An active cyclist, Emanuele has managed the Junior Development Program of XXX Racing. In the 2010 season, Emanuele grew the program to one of the largest and most successful cycling programs of its kind in the region. His work has helped the program grow to its largest size to date and has been instrumental in the team’s larger success, including several new team sponsorships. His passion translates over to the Chicago Velo Campus where he dreams of not only developing a world class venue, but of bringing a new found passion and enthusiasm to life within youth, amateurs and professionals alike for cycling back to Chicago.