Trexlertown
Located between Breinigsville and Wescosville, Trexlertown is the oldest town in Upper Macungie Township. Named for Jeremiah Trexler, who owned and operated a tavern in the early 1730s, the town prospered after a public road was laid from Trexler’s property through Zionsville, Shimersville and North Wales to Philadelphia.
Today, Trexlertown is home to approximately 2,000 people and boasts one of the Lehigh Valley’s most popular attractions – the Valley Preferred Cycling Center.
Originally known as the Lehigh County Velodrome, the Valley Preferred Cycling Center was founded by publisher Bob Rodale, of Rodale Inc. in Emmaus, and his wife Ardath in 1974.
An Olympic skeet shooter, Rodale first became interested in cycling while competing in the Pan-American Games in Winnipeg, Canada in 1967. Although at the time the sport was practically unheard-of in the United States, Rodale believed the action and excitement of cycling would capture the interest of American spectators. So, after returning home to Pennsylvania, he purchased a 33-acre tract of land west of Trexlertown and began plans to build a velodrome.
Investing nearly $100,000 of their own money, Rodale and his wife began excavating their land in the summer of 1974. With the assistance of Lehigh County, who agreed to pay to finish the facilities so long as Rodale staffed it, the project was completed just over one year later – becoming the first velodrome to be built in Pennsylvania, the third in the East Coast, and only the eleventh in the entire country.
On October 12, 1975, the Lehigh Country Velodrome hosted its first race with more 100 cyclists on hand to participate. Among those in attendance was Bill Lambert, then-chairman of the Board of Control of the US Cycling Foundation, who called the velodrome “one of, if not the best, in the US.”
With the help of some of the most popular cycling personalities of the era – including Artie Greenburg (the youngest highest-ranking cycling official in the world), Olympians Jack Simes III, David Chauner, and Marty Nothstein, and renowned announcer Brian Drebber – the velodrome has attracted thousands of world-class competitors and helped launch the careers of several Olympic athletes and world champions. Since the mid-1970s, the facility has hosted Olympic trials, World Cups, Junior World Championships and countless major national and international competitions. Trexlertown, meanwhile, became famous as one of the premier cycling town in America – earning the nickname “T-Town” by the racers who frequented it.
To help further his passion for cycling, and help promote the sport with a broader audience, Rodale purchased a small regional magazine called the “Northern California Velosport Newsletter” in 1978. Through Rodale Inc., he re-launched the publication as “Bicycling” magazine – transforming it into one of the best-known cycling magazines in the world and the longest continually-published cycling magazine in existence.
In the fall of 1990, just fifteen years after opening the velodrome, Bob Rodale’s life was cut short in an automobile accident. The following year, the US Bicycling Hall of Fame inducted him into their ranks in recognition for his efforts in promoting the sport of cycling.
In 1995, the Lehigh Valley Velodrome was rebuilt to add a 2,000 seat grandstands, updated shower and locker facilities for the athletes, and new concession and restroom facilities for the fans. That same year, the velodrome changed its name to the Valley Preferred Cycling Center.
Today, the center is part of the 103-acre Bob Rodale Cycling and Fitness Park and is managed by a non-profit foundation dedicated to promoting the sport of cycling. Nothstein, an Olympic gold and silver medalist and three-time World Champion cyclist who began his career at at the velodrome, oversees operations as the facility’s Chief Operating Officer and Assistant Director – keeping alive the passion and purpose that Bob Rodale originally brought to Trexlertown.
SHOP LOCAL
KUHNS & HELLER CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS
A family-owned enterprise, Kuhns & Heller has been creating high-quality custom-made blinds, shades, privacy curtains, shutters, stage curtains, projection screens and more for residential and commercial clients for nearly thirty years. Stop by their showroom at 1110 Trexlertown Road to consult with one of their talented design experts.
GINGERBREAD HOUSE GIFTS & ANTIQUES
Located at 1045 Trexlertown Road in a charming 1850s building, Gingerbread House Gifts & Antiques offers an exquisite collection of antiques, primitives, garden items, new and vintage jewelry and country items. Be sure to check out their toy room, which features vintage Barbies, Star Wars figures and antique toys.
HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES
Owned by certified nutritionist Dianne Burg, Healthy Alternatives specializes in the finest natural and organic foods and supplements. Stop by and try their fresh baked organic breads, soups and sandwiches, or browse their selection of vitamins, natural health and beauty items and wheat/gluten free foods. Located at 7150 Hamilton Blvd., Trexlertown.
CYCLEDROME BICYCLE SHOP
Located at 8150 Hamilton Blvd., Trexlertown, Cycledrome Bicycle Shop is a full service store and repair shop that can meet all your cycling needs. Stroll through the store and explore their wide selection of bicycles, parts, racks, helmets, clothing, shoes and more.
EAGLE POINT FARM MARKET & GREENHOUSES
The Eagle Point Farm Market & Greenhouses offers a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, annuals, perennials and beautiful hanging baskets. The second week in November begins their Christmas season, so stop by for wreath making and gift baskets. Located at 853 South
Trexlertown Road.
