Boulder Valley Velodrome: Open seven days a week, weather permitting. Minimum age to participate: 11 Track: 250 meters, 7 meters wide, 41.5 maximum banking Lights: six poles with three lights (1800 watts each) Amenities: Facility includes men’s and women’s changing rooms, restrooms and first aid station. There are also spectator areas with picnic tables. Spectators are welcome anytime, free of charge, including races. Location:The boulder Valley Velodrome is located at 601 Bonnell Ave. in Erie. Info: bouldervalleyvelodrome.com.

Cycling enthusiasts Doug Emerson and Frank Banta took a leap of faith a few years ago when they decided to build a velodrome in Erie. They believed a raised bicycle track, which would be open to the public, would see solid numbers. Admittedly Emerson and Banta were relying on inspiration from the phrase, “If you build it, they will come.”

Nearly two years later, the numbers are definitely there.

“The growth of the track has been phenomenal,” Banta said.

The velodrome has a solid member base, and professionals come from around the world to train at BVV.

“We had Tom Zirbel (Rally Cycling) training here all summer for an attempt to set a new U.S. hour record in Aguascalientes, Mexico. He set the record at 53.07km, the second fastest time ever recorded,” Banta said. “Additionally, in July we had the Dutch Olympic Sprint Team train here and the Canadian Women’s Pursuit Team.

“The Dutch won a (women’s) gold and (men’s) silver medal. The Canadians won a bronze medal in the team pursuit. We have also had the USA Cycling track team training here on several occasions,” he added.

BVV is not exclusive to professional riders though. Banta and Emerson had a vision from the beginning that it would be a track for all people.

“There are very few professional track cyclists. Riding the track makes any cyclist a better bike handler, improves their cadence and all aspects of cycling,” Banta said. “And, it is a fun, great aerobic workout. The racers train for the thrill of competition and the camaraderie of a team.”

There is a spirit of cooperation among all of the riders, according to Banta. The nature of training allows different riders to do different workouts at the same time.

“The elite riders are a tremendous asset and assist all of our riders in improving their track skills,” Banta said. “It’s a welcoming and inclusive culture. We like to think we have one of the friendliest places anywhere.”

Many BVV members donate their time to help maintain the world-class facility, which has an interesting history. In 2005, Banta, owner of Frank Banta Construction, and Emerson, owner of University Bicycles, formed a partnership with the dream to build an Olympic-caliber velodrome in Boulder County. In 2007, they traveled to Toluca, Mexico to meet track designer, Peter Junek, who was completing a 250-meter track.

“We were lucky enough to be there when it was ready to ride,” Emerson said in a press release. “I had never been on a velodrome, but I always knew I would like it. Peter and I hopped on the track and did about 20 laps. It was exhilarating. I stopped, looked at Frank and said, ‘We’re building a velodrome, and I don’t care if anyone comes.'”

With the services of local architect David Beal of David A. Beal and Associates LLC, and direction from Junek, the Boulder Valley Velodrome was eventually constructed in Erie.

BVV offers one-day trial sessions, certification and advanced training, women’s and youth groups, open track, weekly races, track rental and special events. There has even been a wedding at the track. Plans for 2017 include a student cycling league and corporate challenges.

BVV is a 250-meter track, the preferred distance for elite events. Paul Mack, from Lafayette, has been training with his teammates at BVV to be the world’s best track racing team. Mack, Steven Worley of Boulder, Barry Messmer of Fort Collins and Larry Wolff of Sacramento, Calif., recently brought home top medals from The Union Cycliste Internationale (the world governing body for the sport of cycling), Masters Track Cycling World Championships in Manchester, England.

The team won gold the team pursuit in the 65-69 male division. The team also set a world record in its qualifying round.

“Being able to train in a world-class facility that replicates the venue for world championships and some national championships, especially so close to home, has many advantages,” Mack said. “Much of our training — working with our coaches — can be done on the road on either fixed-gear bikes or road bikes. The team pursuit requires such precision that specific velodrome training is necessary.

Precision training isn’t the only reason Mack enjoys the track.

“There is a real spirit of help from everyone involved, not only in riding skills but training, equipment, nutrition, all aspects of our sport,” Mack said, adding that it’s common for experienced riders to mentor the new ones — showing how to change a tire or teaching novice riders techniques for better riding.

Mack likes to encourage anyone interested in track racing.

“Try it, it’s really fun,” Mack said. “BVV is really focused on making the velodrome experience available to anyone. Perhaps a good first step would be to stop by and just watch some of the riding. This time of year, that would be weekends as long as the weather holds.”

As for why Erie, Banta said it is an ideal spot.

“It turned out to be the best location. Easy access for the entire Front Range,” he said. “Erie has been a fabulous neighbor. The town has been very welcoming.”