I've watched a fair amount of UCI world cup track racing in the past year, and I've noticed most cyclists are wearing sunglasses in indoor velodromes. Sometimes they're aerodynamic visors, but more often they are just standard sport sunglasses. Why do track cyclists wear them?
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5Not going to use this as an answer but I wear shades in all wether when biking. Mainly to keep the wind out my eyes and any dust that may go in them.– Dan KMay 16, 2019 at 14:33
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This was my first thought: youtube.com/watch?v=ZlGetFM59dY– AlexanderMay 16, 2019 at 22:35
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2 Answers
Track cyclists are travelling in excess of 30mph. At that speed you need eyewear to protect from the 'wind'.
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Even as an amateur riding in a velodrome it's easy to get up fast enough to need eyewear.– DavidWMay 16, 2019 at 14:46
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1@DavidW hopefully find that out myself soon enough - got a gift certificate for a taster session at Manchester velodrome :)– Andy PMay 16, 2019 at 14:56
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1It's fun. I did a session at Newport not long ago. Glasses aren't strictly necessary if you're doing fairly short bursts (as you will in a taster session) but are nice to have– Chris HMay 16, 2019 at 15:14
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And even as an amateur, you have to go fast enough to not fall down the banking.– SwiftyMay 16, 2019 at 16:04
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Note that at certain tracks or levels of competition there can be local rules not permitting the use of darkened glass tints. When I raced I used contact lenses and wearing wrap style glasses helped to prevent the lenses from getting dry and flying out. May 16, 2019 at 23:16
Track cyclists reach speeds over 50 km/h. At these speeds you need to cover your eyes and sunglasses look cooler than clear glasses. Because velodromes are usually well lit, they don't affect the cyclists sight.
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2When I went I also did some photography as we were a big group taking turns. "Well lit" is all relative– Chris HMay 16, 2019 at 15:16
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