Major Taylor Velodrome
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
The Major Taylor Velodrome is a cycling track located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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Summary
It is named after African-American cyclist Marshall "Major" Taylor, who was a world champion in the late 1800s. The velodrome was built in 1982 and has since been a popular destination for both local and professional cyclists.
One of the main reasons to visit the Major Taylor Velodrome is to watch cycling races and events. The venue hosts a variety of competitions throughout the year, including the Indy Crit, which is a popular annual race. Visitors can also watch training sessions and learn more about the sport of cycling.
There are also plenty of points of interest to see at the Major Taylor Velodrome. The track itself is a 333-meter concrete oval with steep banked turns, which makes for an exciting spectacle. The venue also has a number of other facilities, including a BMX track and a skate park.
Interesting facts about the Major Taylor Velodrome include its history as a training ground for some of the world's top cyclists. Many professional riders have trained at the venue, including Lance Armstrong. Additionally, the velodrome is one of only a handful of cycling tracks in the United States that is covered, which allows for events to take place year-round.
The best time of year to visit the Major Taylor Velodrome depends on your interests. If you want to watch races, then the summer months are typically the busiest. However, if you just want to experience the venue and its facilities, then any time of year is suitable. The velodrome is open to the public and offers bike rentals and lessons for all ages and skill levels.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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