By John Matisz

Speed. Endurance. Strength.

Those are the three foundational words of the Forest City Velodrome Association (FCVA) and they provide inspiration to riders young and old, inexperienced and experienced.

The words also relate to the club itself, which was founded in 2005. Its speed is in its medal count at the provincial and national level: 350 over just six years. Its endurance lies within its athletes’ ability to race year-round, with just a two-week break. And its strength derives from its atmosphere — a lively one.

“What makes this track special is the large group that comes out,” said rider Daniel McKenzie-Picot after a training session last week. “It’s just so social.”

McKenzie-Picot, 17, has been a member of the association for almost five years. A rider two years younger than him, Katherine Marentette, also a London resident, is a track and field and cross-country athlete. But velodrome has won heart, and her nose.

“I love the atmosphere. I love the smell of velodrome,” Marenette said. “I’m home when I’m here.”

While McKenzie-Picot and Marentette are both competitive riders for FCVA, recreational riders comprise about 80 per cent of the club’s current membership. Both groups train out of the old London Knights arena, London Ice House, which was converted into the only indoor velodrome facility in North America, east of Los Angeles, in 2005.

It’s not just a sport for younger demographic. Lorne Falkenstein, 54, doubles as a philosophy professor at University of Western Ontario and successful velodrome rider. At the 2011 Canadian National Track Cycling Championships in Bromont, Que. in early August, he took home four silvers medals as well as a bronze.

“The first time I did a lap, it felt so neat,” said Falkenstein with a grin. “The bike is a part of the track, there’s a technical aspect to it that I’m drawn to.”

Having lost 35 pounds since taking on the sport, the life-long road cyclist is enjoying the health benefits just as much as the winning.

Interestingly enough, 15-year-old Sarah Mason, who is only five months into her velodrome career, has excelled at a similar pace. She competed at nationals as well, finishing seventh in one of her races.

The soccer, speed skating, track and field and cross-country athlete gave the sport a chance and has not looked back.

“I like going fast, plus it’s a sport that’s easy on your knees and there’s a low impact on your feet,” Mason said.

What turns people off initially, said Marentette, is the danger factor associated with riding a bicycle around a wooden track at high speeds. She even gave her gym teacher some pamphlets once, but the interest just wasn’t there.

“The thing with crashing is that it’s like horse riding,” Marentette explained. “If you fall off the horse you have to get right back on again or you’ll be afraid.”

McKenzie-Picot, who recently crashed in Quebec while in the national spotlight, agrees and even has some words of wisdom to share.

“You’ll fall down if you’re not going 30 km/h,” he said. “Once you get to that point, you’re pretty much doing a straight line. There’s not much active steering.”

Unlike his peers, McKenzie-Picot is a one-sport man. He took interest in velodrome racing after watching his sister participate in a handful of events. Since then, he’s been hooked by the infectious atmosphere on and off the track.

Marentette, Mason and Falkenstein all share their teammate’s sentiments.

“At first, I was like ‘there’s no way I can do this,’ but I’ll be riding as long as I can,” Marentette said.