Snaps from Bolton Schools

GB tandemists- JamMan Kappes and J Norfolk Esq telling how it should be.

Team Sprint - G Tomlinson school using the German tactic

Yoof, giving it LARGE

Winners - Withins School

All Copyright Jon Moss.

Fall-out

picture; A young Mr Smith amusing Jeanette and visiting Irish rider Kate on the SQT this morning - the one that coach Brian never got out of bed for!

I'm feeling a bit low today. Fall out from the Bolton Schools thingy I shouldn't wonder. Brian didn't even show his face at the SQT this morning - no doubt having run out of 'fresh' stories. "Me e'ds done in wiv it" as one says in the local lingo or whatever .

Still another future star in today on a sesh from a local college. This yoof, all muscles and bravado whips arounds the track in a micro-trice showing little fear or regard for the coaches nerves [my nerves as it happens]. Looking like a young Linford Cristi, this boy could go far I'm just hoping that the quick chat to Ellen Hunter, Ms Tandem erself, hasn't put him off.

Yoof! Who'd 'ave em?

The Bolton Schools track cycling tournament generously supported by the Coop is over. For another year. Thank goodness. I mean, I'm sat here all jelly legged after 3 hours of high speed mayhem as the youth of Bolton flew round the track doing passable impressions of Team Sprints, Team Pursuits and great one lap tt's. Craig Maclean beware, we have found a new secret weapon - Scott Doodson did 18.5 secs for a rolling start 1 lap on 84" in his trainers and a flappin t-shirt. This boy has talent and won the 1 lap tt by a country mile. The Girls winner was real fast too - H Crook [forgot her first name - sorry] did 21 secs.
Once the coaches and I managed to get the thing moving, the teams came thick and fast. A couple did balletic skids along the boards on their backs - thankfully unhurt - and all seemed to have a great time.
Overall winners was Withins School - from Bolton. So were all the schools now I think of it! Snaps to follow!

Schools

With the bitsofbikes thing out of the way, the ritual parading of jersey-booty on the Taster sessions, the old place takes on an air of resignation at the thought of the next thing on the menu. The Bolton Schools Tournament.
For a start, it takes place on my usual day off. Can't complain too loudly about that since I booked it in. It's a frantic affair and I shall set the scene for you to visualise;
10am the coaches start to come in looking for a cup of tea, nervously glancing around in anticipation of the onslought to come.
10.30, the schools sport coordinator arrives arms weighed down with another 3,400 certificates for me to sign despite the fact I have already signed 6m.
10.59 and the first school arrives - the event should start at 11am. Bikes are got out, helmets fastened and Brian warms up with his first story of the morning. I start what is to be 4 hours of contant talking as I strive to keep;
the event running on time [no chance ]
teachers under control [little chance]
Brian from telling his entire repetoire [impossible]
and the yoof from wreaking havoc [!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]

Only, the PA is at the wrong volume, the mic batteries run out, the schools arrive in dribs and drabs and they all changed their teams. One kids throws up after eating three bags of crisps then gets on to race a one-lap sprint. The cleaners get stroppy. The duty managers hide and eventually it all comes to a close and the cup is presented. After which I return to a darkened room to recover - eventually.

Stunned

...by Radio 5 which some times can be heard while I tap away at the pooter - working now thank you Steve. Playing good old FOCUS - Prog rock dont you know !
Anyway, just thought I'd warn you lot that prices at the Velodrome are going up a tigding in April. Not so much that you'd notice; I mean, I don't get a firm's car or nuffin. Not even an office door as it happens. But here's a warning; Do not blame reception. Of course it's their fault, they take your money and all that but don't give them a hard time please. It's not worth it and it rebounds on me when I egt my ear bent for mentioning that prices have got up a bit. You know the score.

It's happened!

One of me coaches this is about like;
This coach came into t'bitsofbikes sale thing and actually bought, bought mind you a gawdy skin-suit because, he told me, he was told it would make him look thinner. Despite the fact the chap is like a rake anyway. As it happens, and don't mention this to a soul mark you, it looks 'orrible. That's the trouble with these bitsofbikes sales things, people come in and buy some real bargains and then get carried away and buy 'the worst jersey in the world' and the like. The sale has a reputation for it and people flock from hundreds of miles just to see the jerseys.
I suspect this particular jersey will reappear at Christmas when we have the worst jersey competition. What do you mean, you have never heard of that comp? Well, after the Commie Games and the World champs, this is the most prestigious event of the year and usually costs me a few bottles of wine I'll have you know.

Butcher, Baker and IT maker

Wonder of wonders, Steve has sorted the pooter, cooked the lunch and general managed the place. How does he do it? No idea!

Phew!

It's flippin hot in here. My cupboard up on t'concourse has been about 25C in the shade all week. GB lot have been turning up the AGA so if it wasn't for the lack of sand and German towels, you would have thought you were in Majorca. Which is the point I think.
Having said I am fair dessicated since with the heating turned up the already dry atmosphere turns into a horrible Sahara-like affair, Sheik-less you understand. And I have not had a moment to go down and pour me a nice cup of Roobosh.
Wiggly Braggins is looking well good as are all the team. Mind you if that Iain Dyer shouts "oop oop oop" once more, someone is going to get a smack I can tell you. Me head's done in wiv it.
Not that I don't want to see the boys and gurls GB win a shed load of medals - again.
I'll be glad when the lot of them have gone off to the beach or wherever they are going. Chiappa is already there I'm told. Majorca that is, not the beach. Just that I'm itching to open a window and let some of that nice cool fresh[ish] Manc. air in.

copyright WHYTE 2007

Thanks for these David. Lovely

World Cup Snaps

Here's some nice images from the world cup sent to me by David Whyte who holds the copyright.

Track Advertising

So, in May we are to lose the current track surface and benefit from a new one - Kilos of new wood all the way from Siberia - or somewhere. Around the outside of the track there are numerous track advertising spaces to use - and if you have a company that would to be associated with Olympic and World champions and be seen by the thousands who use this venue every week then email Nicola nicolaoneill@manchestervelodrome.com who will be able to sort you every need at very competitive prices.

And don't forget we will be selling track mementoes - bits of wood from the track after the thing has been dismantled. more details to follow soon.

Here is The Boy

The Boy Tony that is. I got Tony to stand on the concourse while I stood on the lower level of seating so i could get the whole Boy in the snap. So, now you see the Bikes & Bits organiser - scowling prettily at all and sundry, he's not always like that!

Cool Dude

Sometimes people just like posing. Simon, bless his cotton y-fronts, is one of these. I rather like the chap and take his picture from time to time. This is the latest offering of a maintainence man at the velodrome;

What a tart!

Apologies

..........to Tracy whom I managed to get mixed up with bookings somehow. My humblest apologies as Tracy is charge of,,,,,, of,,,, well she shuffles bit of paper around in the back office and generally looks efficient.
Bookings on the other hand...... Having said that, DON'T look in my office!!!!

Talking of which, coming up without so much of a minor fanfare is the Manchester Velodrome's Bikes 'n Bits Cycle Fair is on Sunday 18th March 2007- 11am to 4pm. Get down and see which bits have been through the Bikes and Bits fair at least once :-). See the most garish jerseys you have ever seen, buy another set of tyres and generally catch up with who is still alive at the fab event. Tony O'Brien is the man responsible for this event - I did try to catch a photo of the man 'imself but my tripod was too tall and I just got the top of 'is 'Ed. Will try again!

Lecci Man

Bill, that's his name. You'll see him with his head in the ceiling or doing origami with a bunch of cables before any of the main events. Bill supplies the know-how and the labour to get the electicity from where it is to where it's needed, on time and safely. A nicer bloke you could not meet.

Bookings

When it’s sorting out the bills to be paid there is no-one better than Tracy to get things done in her usual efficient style.

Keirin armour

I had the pleasure of perusing Mr Staff's wounds the other Saturday after his spectacular Aussie inspired crash in the WC keirin. Mr Staff is as hard as they come but all the same wished he had been wearing some of Mr Mclean's armour - seen on the BC web-site recently.
So, off I trotted and had a little chattette with Sir Craig [that's the sort of star-tart I am] to hear all about the stuff.
Ever since I have been wondering about this and think I have come up with a cheaper alternative. Custard! Yes, the yellow peril is Thixotropic just like the Great Fast Man's armour. Mix up a pile of Birds Eye [4/3d from your local co-op] with a little water, jump right in to ensure a full coveration, pull on your skin suit and hey presto, no Perkins chappie on a suicide mission is ever going to worry you again. And think of the sponsorship opportunities. :-)