Youngsters Can Get a Free Ride in Encino

Tucked away behind a baseball field in Encino is a 35-year-old banked concrete oval bicycle track known as the Encino Velodrome.

It’s not fancy, but its 250-meter lap is equal in size to the track that was used at the Atlanta Olympics.

“A lot of people don’t even know it’s there,” said Ray Joyner, director of youth racing at the Encino Velodrome. “It really is kind of hidden away, but it’s a great place.”

Through the years hundreds of youths, ages 10 to 17, have learned to race there without charge.

Some didn’t even know how to ride a bike when they joined classes sponsored by the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles.

“We have all sorts of kids of all races and from all kinds of backgrounds,” Joyner said. “In many cases it helps increase their self-esteem and in most cases it’s a lot of fun.”

The AAF has used profits from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics to fund the clinics, which are offered from March through November.

One-speed track bikes with no brakes and helmets and instruction are provided at each class.

The beginners’ class is every Friday from 4-6 p.m. and the advanced class is on Monday from 6-8 p.m.

There are three other instructors beside Joyner, a former amateur road racer.

Halden Morris is a former U.S. National silver medalist, Scott Skellenger is a former U.S. Junior National sprint

champion and John Knox is a professional bike-frame builder.

“We always ride with the kids so it’s a lot of fun for us too,” Joyner said. “We really like the speed and bodily exertion. It’s the excitement of human-powered speed.”

Riders can showcase their talent in weekly races at the facility. On average, five races will be held each Saturday through Sept. 7, beginning at 7 p.m.

There are various distances and formats, including a points race, miss-and-out and match sprint.

Not all students are interested in racing, Joyner said. Some just want to learn more about cycling and the safety tips included in each course.

“We don’t stress performance,” Joyner said. “You don’t have to be competitive to enjoy this. Some kids just enjoy learning the skills. And they become safer cyclists on the road because they’re more aware.”

One of Joyner’s favorite success stories involves an 11-year-old boy who didn’t even know how to ride a bike when he attended his first class at the velodrome.

An instructor took him to the parking lot and ran beside him as the boy attempted to ride the bike.

After several classes the boy was able to ride on the flat part of the track and a couple of days later he moved on to the racing track.

“He was so nervous, but he got good enough to race against other kids,” Joyner said. “Now he can ride a bike like all the other kids in his neighborhood.”

Classes also are offered for adults on Thursday evenings.

Information: 818-881-7441.

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Juan Bautista de Anza Park in Calabasas held a grand opening last week for its state-of-the art, multipurpose outdoor courts. The facility features a 194-foot by 84-foot smooth concrete slab surrounded by a black, 10-foot high chain link fence.

It will be used for roller hockey and can also be converted into three basketball courts and a volleyball court.

“It took six months to build and it cost $90,000, so it’s real nice,” said Greg Johnson, City of Calabasas Community Services Director. “It will also be the only roller hockey court in the Valley with lights.”

The 10-acre park also features a 250-person picnic area, three playgrounds, a creekside bird observation area and water toys for kids.

In September, a 3,000-square-foot building with restrooms, a conference room and office space will be completed.

The entire project cost $1.8 million, Johnson said.

An array of basketball, roller hockey and volleyball clinics will be held at the outdoor courts immediately. Also, the Tri-Valley Roller Hockey League will move there from its present location at Agoura High.

The TVRHL has eight age divisions beginning with 8-and-under Mites to adults. Games are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 7 a.m. to noon.

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Sunday at Rancho Sierra Vista in Newbury Park, a Native American guest will conduct tours of the Santa Monica Mountain National Recreation Area’s Satwiwa Indian Culture Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Located on Potrero Road, the park is devoted to the preservation of Native American culture and the cultures of early Spanish and American farmers.

It features oak-studded grasslands and a network of hiking trails.

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Two events will be held Sunday at Ventura State Beach. A recreation and open division coed beach volleyball tournament is scheduled for most of the day. Entry fee is $60 per team.

Short- and long-course triathlons are also scheduled, with the long course serving as a qualifier for the Ironman in Hawaii.

The entry fee for the short course is $57, $99 for the long course. Registration deadline for all events is Saturday.

Information: 818-707-8867.

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Ventura Raceway

Points Standings

Through Friday

Street Stocks

1. Greg Voigt, Goleta: 1165

2. Chris Tonoli, Santa Barbara: 700

3. Randy McGraw, Ventura: 590

4. Al Adam, Westlake: 565

5. Scott Bartels, Marina del Rey: 540

6. Jason Secor, Ventura: 475

7. Joel Remmenga, Camarillo: 405

8. Hobie Conway, Oxnard: 380

9. Bob Carpenter, Sierra Madre: 365

10. Bob Pease, Simi Valley: 360

Pony Stocks

1. William Kruft, Ventura: 720

1. Tina Verdun, Ventura: 720

3. Kathy Pierson, Camarillo: 660

4. Paul Douglas, Simi Valley: 535

5. James Brown, Oxnard: 430

6. Vic Nickerl, Oak View: 405

7. Fran Gill, Somis: 375

8. Robert Gantt, Port Hueneme: 350

9. Marla Bulpit, Culver City: 250

10. Tracy Jewett, Oxnard: 230

I-4 Modifieds

1. Allen Ennis, Porterville: 525

2. Jim Tietz, Camarillo: 405

3. Rick Brown, Somis: 330

4. Ronnie Case, Moorpark: 305

5. Forrest Lucas, Corona: 295

6. Eric Blackmer, Camarillo: 265

7. Jim Crawford, Ventura: 260

8. Ray Stephens, Bakersfield: 255

8. Steve Chuhaloff, Camarillo: 255

10. Mike Hicks, Porterville: 210

IMCA Modifieds

1. Paul Moore, Oak View: 375

2. John Aitken, Fillmore: 357

3. James Weston, Santa Barbara: 351

4. Rich Wolfe, Camarillo: 349

5. Robert Pauqette, Santa Barbara: 327

6. Randy Gens, Oxnard: 304

7. Don Keeter, Ventura: 303

8. Steve Greenland, Reseda: 299

9. Ron Bartels, Marina del Rey: 288

10. Scott Olsen, Ventura: 273