Why do track cyclists always ride anticlockwise?

[Philip Whiteman]

I have always failed to receive an answer from this question, even from track coaches.

Is there a reason?

 

[montage]

They cycle clockwise in Australia

 

[jethro10]

Oval Car racing started in the USA and they drive anticlockwise as they sit in the left of the car, furthest away from the outer wall in an accident for safety purposes.
Perhaps they just continued in the same way, especially if track racing was popular in the USA early on first?

Although I have no real clue.....
jeff

 

[gaz]

Oval Car racing started in the USA and they drive anticlockwise as they sit in the left of the car, furthest away from the outer wall in an accident for safety purposes.
Perhaps they just continued in the same way, especially if track racing was popular in the USA early on first?

Although I have no real clue.....
jeff

Track racing started in 1870, so I'm going to say that isn't right.

 

[MacB]

I have no idea but I'm right handed and find left hand bends easier than right, could it just be the right handed winning out over the cackhanded?

 

[ian turner]

Why do most track races go counter clockwise . The answer seemingly being that thats how they've always been done right back to chariot races and the like.

 

[Rapples]

I'd hazard a guess it's because you get on the bike from the left*, and therefore the bike would be facing anticlockwise if you get on from the centre of the banked track.

*Which is the same for horses, which pre date bikes, no matter which side of the road people rode on.

 

[LosingFocus]

Well, I find that I can corner with more control when I'm making a left hand turn and I'm right handed. Something in that?

 

[rustychisel]

They cycle clockwise in Australia

nice... but no we don't

 

[Mad at urage]

nice... but no we don't

It just looks like it from this side (where we can see the soles of your feet)

 

[monnet]

I did get told once. Now it escapes me. I think it came down to it always having been like this - a tradition passed down through the sports and ages. Athletics is the same. Chariots were raced anti-clockwise etc...

 

[Andy_R]

maybe its to stop the pedals unscrewing...........i'll just leave

 

[Strick]

Maybe it's because they're racing "against the clock"?




Ok, ok, i'm leaving too......

 

[Fiona N]

They cycle clockwise in Australia

They didn't when I was racing there

 

[abo]

Most track sports go anticlockwise, the only exception i can think of off hand, is National Hotrods and other RHD stock cars in the UK. Motorsport on regular tracks doesn't count