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    Blackhawk Racetrack

    4.0 (1 review)

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    5 years ago

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    Ed Rudolph Velodrome - July 4 fireworks

    Ed Rudolph Velodrome

    (4 reviews)

    The Ed Rudolph Velodrome is one of only two short, banked tracks for official bicycle racing in…read moreIllinois and one of just 28 in the entire country. For over 50 years, this distinctive venue has been a hub for cycle racing, training, and entertainment. But for me, it is more than just a racing track. It is a place filled with joy, memories, and a sense of tradition. Nearly every Independence Day, my family and I gather here to watch the Northbrook fireworks. Decades ago, before I got married, I loved taking leisurely walks from our home to the velodrome with my parents. Sometimes my grandmother would join us when she was visiting. At that time, spectators were only allowed to sit on the bleachers behind the track. Before the fireworks show, the infield would host inter-school marching band competitions, which we always enjoyed watching. The fireworks were launched from inside the velodrome, bursting spectacularly overhead, sometimes raining sparks over the infield, where some bold attendees would rush to sit despite the warnings. Today, the setup has changed. The marching band performances are no longer part of the event, and the fireworks are now launched from outside the velodrome, making them visible across Meadowhill Park and Techny Prairie Park and Fields. Still, we prefer to watch from inside the velodrome, our favorite spot. While my family still lives in town, we no longer live within walking distance of the velodrome. But we've kept the tradition alive. Each year, we park around downtown Northbrook and enjoy the pleasant 15-minute walk to the velodrome. It adds to the festive spirit and brings back a bit of the feeling from those days long ago. Now, spectators are welcome on the grassy infield. When we arrived this year, a DJ was entertaining the crowd before the fireworks. Families and children were fully immersed in the festive atmosphere. We brought lawn chairs, settled in, and enjoyed the energy of the evening. The fireworks were spectacular as always, a dazzling end to a perfect night. My parents and grandmother have since passed on, but each year as the fireworks light up the sky, I like to think they're watching from above, smiling with us, still a part of this beloved family tradition. I love the velodrome. This tradition is a celebration of family, community, and the simple joy of gathering under the stars. I hope it continues for generations to come.

    It's amazing to think that this place is free and open to the public! It's a quarter-mile track…read morewith 18-degree banked turns (steep enough to notice but not so steep as to affect your balance), and it's the smoothest surface I've ever ridden on. The website asks that you only ride with a track bike (fixed gear) and helmet, but there are pictures of people riding bikes with gears, so I'm not sure how strictly they enforce that rule. They do also insist that you wear a helmet, which is only common sense. I loved riding even when there were only two other riders on the track. It's a lot of fun to have someone to chase or outrace, even if they're not really in on the competition. The track has plenty of seating for spectators, and they have races open to various ages and skill levels. The addition of lighting allows for riding well into the evening. I rode on a sunny Saturday at around noon and was on a homemade fixie that I built; the other two riders were on more-professional bikes, and a few other riders showed up with what looked like some pretty high-end bikes and clothing--but the overall feel is of a track that's open to anyone. As you can see in the photos, there are painted lines to separate the faster riders (closer to the inside of the track near the thicker blue line) from slower riders (further out to the edge, outside the think blue line). If you want to have the feel of being a "cutter", or if you want your kids to feel like they're racing, this is a great place to go. (Bonus points if you know the "cutter" reference).

    Blackhawk Racetrack - racetracks - Updated May 2026

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