Without an array of gears, minus an open road or mountain, Bedford residents Mike and Matt Cambria, both 15, are discovering cycling – on a circular track, with an embankment that serves as the bicycle’s brakes.

They are part of the youth cycling program at Londonderry’s New England Velodrome and Cycling Park, situated in the shadow of Manchester airport.

The Cambrias came across a brochure for the velodrome, and Matt, comfortable with road and mounting biking but unfamiliar with track cycling, was drawn by the excitement of the unknown. Mike, an avid cross country runner, also saw a chance to improve his fitness.

Three sessions at the track later, Mike was sold on a sport he said was different and easy to pick up under the tutelage of friendly, helpful coaches.

New England Velodrome’s youth cycling program, in its fifth year, continues through August on Thursday evenings.

Once the athletes learn to master the art of a fixed gear – without the ability to coast – they learn to ride safely in a pace line. At the end of training, their last race is a time trial, an all-out effort against the clock in which riders compare times with each other.

Velodrome founder Tony Eberhardt of Goffstown continues to introduce local youngsters to the sport. He plans to contact area high school athletics directors and prod interest he hopes results in a competitive school league.

Matt Cambria said fellow student- athletes would participate if they knew about the opportunity. His school, Bedford High, has an inter-session program in April, and he said he would be first to sign up, show his friends the basics and learn more about the storied history of track cycling in America.

Mike said many students who ride bikes to school are not interested in team sports. But those riders are often familiar with BMX or BMXers themselves, and they would be interested in the BMX track currently under construction at the track.

Eberhardt keeps working to ensure the velodrome’s motto – “Cycling for All” – is realized; the plan is to bring track, BMX and cyclocross, a combination of mountain and road biking, to the facility.

New England Velodrome hosts the Eastern Collegiate Track Cycling Championships on Sept. 6 and 7.

The University of New Hampshire and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, among others, plan to compete.

The MIT team, Division II national champion, trains at the track under U.S. Cycling federation coach Phil Kenealy of Bedford.

The Cambria boys look forward to being spectators at that event and the state championships, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 5 and 6.

Sunday, Aug. 10, is the 1-mile record attempt at the velodrome.

The now-hooked Cambrias said they were interested in entering. For more information, visit nevelodrome.com.

– Submitted by Tracey Lane Kenealy