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Photos: At Highland Park Track, Cyclists Are Put Through Their Paces

90.5 WESA

Published August 7, 2013 at 11:21 AM EDT

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The half-mile cycling track features banked walls to help riders maintain their speed.

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Chief Referee Rachel Weaver signals class B racers for the start of the final lap.

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The Allegheny Cycling Association hosts a summer race series for riders of different skill levels at the Bud Harris Cycling Track in Highland Park.

Haldan Kirsch / 90.5 WESA

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Class B racers line up before the start of their race on a recent Wednesday.

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The banked walls and tight spaces can be difficult for some riders and cause the occasional crash during a race.

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The Class A racers average half-mile time on a recent Wednesday was 1:07. Their fastest lap time was just under a minute at 59 seconds.

Haldan Kirsch / 90.5 WESA

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A lone racer takes the lead going into the straightaway. Races can go up to 25 miles in higher classes, so riders need endurance as well as speed to compete.

Haldan Kirsch / 90.5 WESA

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Riders can race for a team or solo. Riders and teams earn points throughout the summer that go toward winning trophies and cash prizes at the season's end.

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Spectators and riders for the next race wait to see who takes home the first place prize.

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Riders pick up some serious speed during a race.

Haldan Kirsch / 90.5 WESA

Fifteen years ago, the Allegheny Cycling Association was hosting their summer cycling races in the parking lot of the Pittsburgh Zoo.

Today, racers have found a more fitting home at the Bud Harris Cycling Track in Highland Park. Formerly a driver training course, according to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, the track is a half-mile concrete oval featuring banked walls and a slight hill.

Every Tuesday and Wednesday from April to September, the ACA hosts cycling races at the track. There are four different classes for racers of different skill levels, and at the end of each season prizes are awarded to the top teams and solo riders of the summer.

All you need to race is a bike, helmet and cycling license. Races typically range between 20-40 laps, depending on the weather and available daylight. For more casual riders, the track is open all summer for anyone looking to get in a few laps or enough practice to race in the big leagues.