Introducing the new Velodrome 'BLOG' website.

Hi folks

We have a new Velodrome 'BLOG' for you to peruse as from today.

Bob Barber, our newly appointed Cycling Manager will be adding his news and information to the world wide web to keep you up to date on http://velodronline.blogspot.com/

Tony O'Brien

Where did the summer go?

Hi folks.

My, how time flies? Since the last scribe we have opened up again and then had our official opening on July 30th. Apologies for not having any photos. I borrowed a camera and the owner has 'mogged off' (I never did fully understand what that meant) on his hols so I haven't got any to show you. There is a good one on the BC website until I can fire one up myself for the 'record'.

Also, our new T.D.O. has taken the reins over from Andrea. The new 'bod' is none other than Bob Barber who, I'm sure you'll know, has been working here as one of the team of coaches.

The track is up and running again, beautifully smooth but starting to get a bit dirty already! Still, it's nice to have riders on it again. We could do with a few more too.

There are quite a few slots available on the run up to the Nationals in October so sort out a group, get on the 'blower' and to come to the newest track in the country (probably the world!)

That's it for now.

CU

Tony O'B

No pictures this time but ......

Hi folks, me again!

Ok, so the track has been finished, the weather outside is rubbish (depending on where you are) and we have a track that is just begging to be ridden. So, where are you all?

By all accounts so far it's sooooooooo smooth to ride. Not a bump or a creak anywhere. It's nice to just listen to the tyres rolling round. It's got good grip at low speed (well you would expect that, wouldn't you?) and, from now on, you won't be the first to take a chunk out of it - someone's already done that!

Back to the sales pitch. We have got quite a few slots available at the moment. Ok, we are a bit quite at this time during the summer (wot summer?) but when the drops do come down from above you have an alternative.

So come on, get yourselves together and book a session on Britain's newest track - well at least the surface is new! Give the Velodrome a ring, follow the instructions and Sam will be more than delighted to take a booking from you.

Cheers for now

Tony (temporary scribe)

Our nice new track ...............

Well, here it is. The build has gone much quicker than was thought and we are now taking bookings to commence 16th July, so get in there whilst you can!

Walter's lads

Whilst I have been doing other things in the mean time, I have taken the opportunity to go up on the concourse (and take a few pics to show how things are going) every so often and just stand and watch the lads crackin' on with the work on the track.

Their work rate is amazing. It's really been a privilege to be able to watch these men working. It really IS a craft and we could have probably sold tickets just to watch what they do!

I had a nice comment this morning from Walter - their line manager I suppose - he was very complementary about the last post and the acccompanying three photos. Credit where credit is due, they did a great job in the last week or so and it is worth recording.

1pm June 24th 2007

It is a momentous occasion at the Manchester Velodrome - the last piece of the new surface is nailed into place.

The 14 strong team of German track builders line up to cheer and acknowledge the significance of the moment.

The Team.

Nearly done.

The new track surface is nearing completion and it has been quite fascinating to watch the men working on it.

Looking at the picture, all three have checked that the 'best edge' will be uppermost, that the knots are running the right way and aren't in the way of the nails.

The furthest man has butted the new lathe into position and waits for the nearest one [to the camera] to tap the lathe towards him. The first then hammers the first nail sideways to the lathe below. As the middle man also commences nailing, the nearest one has already 'eyed up' the cut point and make the cut across the new lathe so the joint will straddle the mid point on the truss below.

Five teams of two or three men constantly 'circling' the track in a clockwise direction, each one adding a lathe to butt to the previous one. Each piece is in place in a matter of seconds and the men move to the next piece of wood.