History

This year the Northbrook Cycling Committee dedicates these weekly bicycle races to the memory of Mr. W. J. “Torchy” Peden. This outstanding gentleman was certainly one of the genuine boosters of Northbrook bicycle racing. But further, this many-faceted individual contributed in so many ways to the success of these weekly cycling contests.

The staging of these weekly Thursday night races here at the Ed Rudolph/Meadowhill Park is the result of efforts by some very dedicated individuals. One of those experienced racing enthusiasts is currently the secretary of the Northbrook Cycling Committee – and one of the real veterans of Chicagoland bicycle racing – Mr. Dick Bagger.

Our Committee’s secretary’s interest in competitive racing was motivated by a casual visit with a friend to a six-day professional race that was being held at the Chicago Stadium in 1933. This was the year of the opening of Chicago’s last World’s Fair – “The Century of Progress.” Dick Bagger had wanted to see the Isham Jones Orchestra at one of the downtown theaters that evening, but his friend convinced him to go to the bike race. Bagger’s visit to the Stadium that night developed into a profound turning point in the young man’s life. He literally was entranced with the speed, technique, and daring excitement of the celebrated professional racing cyclists at the deeply banked wood track at the big hall on Chicago’s West Side. Dick Bagger was “hooked” on bicycle racing. The youngster saw almost every six-day race after that here in Chicago as well as special races in Milwaukee, Cleveland, Buffalo and Des Moines until their demise after World War II.

The first track was a cement track built in 1928. Racing was probably somewhat limited, but there have been some reports of organized racing on a small scale.

In 1932, a beautiful one-eighth mile wooden track was constructed over the cement layout. The track was located in the southern part of Humboldt Park in Chicago and functioned quite actively through 1942. The track featured weekly Wednesday night racing. The “bowl,” as it was affectionately called was built with the highly banked turns in the east and west sections with the flattened out straight-aways on the north and south sides. Very spacious flats surrounded the entire track. When spills occurred and the riders rolled down the highly banked turns, they were protected from dropping onto the concrete infield because of the large flats. During the ten years of operations of the track, one rider vaulted over the high rail on the top of the west turn.

Town mourns 'Mr. Park District'
BY IRV LEAVITT STAFF WRITER

Edward J. Rudolph, who trained some of the greatest speed skaters in U.S. history in Northbrook, and was the most significant force behind the Northbrook Park District's development, died Dec. 24. He was 92.

"Mr. Northbrook Park District" died in Whitehall North Convalescent Home in Deerfield weeks after the death of Lauretta, his wife of 67 years.

Northbrook became known as "The Speed-skating Capital of the World" after Anne Henning and Diane Holum, two skaters trained by Rudolph, won gold medals in the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan. In later Olympics, another Rudolph protege, Leah Poulos, won three silver medals. Rudolph's son Edward Jr. skated in two Olympics.

The organization that is responsible for the staging of the weekly series of races here at the Northbrook Velodrome each Thursday during the summer is known as The Northbrook Cycling Committee. Let us take a look at the history of this organization.

Shortly after the construction of this Northbrook facility in the early 60s, it became apparent to those in the Chicago cycling community that a team of individuals was necessary to program and officiate bicycle racing on the new track. It also became apparent that although the road events held in the Chicago area during the 1950s and earlier were quite professionally handled, the staging of the weekly track races might demand more imagination, technique, and discipline. Meetings were held and a small, dedicated group of officials were founded and soon modest periodic programs were held on America’s newest and probably finest enclosed bicycle racing facility.

Northbrook Cycle Committee History - Mr. Andy Englelhardt ­
The organization that is responsible for the staging of the weekly series of races here at the Northbrook Velodrome each Thursday during the summer is known as The Northbrook Cycling Committee. Let us take a look at the history of this organization....