Riding a bike on a velodrome is not for everyone.

Renee Duprel, who teaches classes to children on how it's done, understands that flying around banked concrete curves can feel a little threatening.

Some kids show up at the Marymoor Velodrome in Redmond, Wash., make one lap around the track, and never return, she says. And those who do keep riding have to muster up a bit of courage, since most riders bump an elbow or skin a knee occasionally. (Helmets are mandatory.)

But, oh boy, what a thrill to ride high in the curves, seeming to defy gravity, and then swoop down into the straightaways as though catapulted by an invisible force.

The top riders, the national-caliber competitors who practice at this track, can reach speeds of 40 miles per hour. And when they zip past in a row on their high-tech bikes, it's something to behold.

Bicycle tracks, or velodromes (VELL-uh-dromes), were a common sight in the United States a century ago, when cycling was a major spectator sport. Now, professional sports like football, basketball, and baseball, as well as auto racing, have grabbed public attention. Today, only 20 velodromes are scattered across the nation. Some are still made of wood.

The one in Redmond, a suburb of Seattle, is longer than most. It's 400 meters long (about a quarter mile), which means the turns don't fly at you as fast as they do on Olympic ovals, which are often just 250 meters and much steeper.

"This is a great place for kids to learn how to ride," Ms. Duprel says, "because it's not so intimidating." She belongs to the Marymoor Velodrome Association.

No previous experience is required. You're welcome to take a trial spin when classes, practices, or races are scheduled, and the track is dry.

The organization offers free lessons throughout the spring and summer, to anyone from 5 to 18. The youngest class, the PeeWee pedalers, is for ages 5 to 8.

This youngest group of riders use their own street bikes. Youth and Junior riders cruise around on special track bikes provided by the Junior Development Program. They have only one gear, they are direct drive (meaning you cannot coast or freewheel), and – get this – no brakes!

As you can imagine, learning how to stop is one of the first subjects covered in any lesson. It's pretty simple: You slow your pedaling, gradually reducing the motion of your feet, which are secured to the pedals with toe clips or special cleats. Once you're going slowly enough you can grab hold of a metal railing on the apron of the main straightaway. The railing also is a good place to mount your bike.

Because the apron is flat, Duprel likes to start her students there until they get comfortable with certain fundamentals. Then they can move up on the banked track, which is gently tilted in the straights and slanted steeply in the turns.

When pupils first start riding on a banked surface, Duprel tells them to ride a straight line, to follow a line painted around the track.

It's important to keep pedaling at a steady clip and let physics take over in the curves: The banked surfaces will steer you around the corner without your having to turn the handlebars. Inexperienced riders worry about the tilt of the track and slow down. But as you slow down, it's harder to stay in control, and you may tip over.

As riders gain confidence, Duprel introduces them to a follow-the-leader exercise. Each rider leads the others around the track once, and then peels off to let the next person in line take the lead. This helps riders learn to use the whole track and to ride near other bikes. This is important if you want to learn to race. Cyclists ride wheel to wheel in various racing formats.

The bikes don't have rearview mirrors, so you must constantly be aware of what's going on around you. Who's above you and below you on the track? Is there a clear spot you can move into quickly?

To help young riders get comfortable with close riding, the bicyclists do drills in which they gently bump elbows with others while riding. This helps make them safer, more confident riders in pack situations. "Instead of freaking out and getting anxious, they work through that [mentally]," she says.

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