Velodrone on-line

Introducing the new Velodrome 'BLOG' website.

2007-10-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

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?

2007-08-15T07:53:00.000-07:00

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 ......

2007-07-25T13:47:00.000-07:00

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 ...............

2007-06-30T04:42:00.001-07:00

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

2007-06-25T15:50:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-24T13:05:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-06-23T15:42:00.000-07:00

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.

Night time at the Velodrome.

2007-06-20T02:39:00.000-07:00

The Velodrome webcam doesn't really do the refurbishment justice so I thought this might show the track in all its sleepy glory.

It's around 10pm and the German track builders have long gone for the night.

The illumination above the new surface is that of the fluorescent tube lighting in the track void.

Resurface update......

2007-06-18T23:39:00.000-07:00

The new track surface is coming along nicely.

An interesting fact - it takes around 500,000 nails to fix the track together! "Not a lot of people know that".

Whilst the laying of the track may be finished quite soon, the re-opening date of August 1st has not changed. There is still quite a lot to do to. The track has to be re-lined. There is other work still to be done and a clean up will be necessary.

In with the new .........................

2007-06-15T02:01:00.001-07:00

The new wood has arrived and the first lathes of the new track being are painstakingly positioned to butt against the Cote D'Azur of the old surface. This will be done all the way round before the main build commences.

There are already three or four rows already in position in the middle of the back straight.

Out with the old .................

2007-06-11T10:30:00.000-07:00

As you can see the cutting of the Track is well underway, you can catch up with the lastest developments on our webcam at

http://www.manchestervelodrome.com/News/webcam.htm
where you should be able to see that most of the old Track has now been taken away.

All quiet on the Velodrome front!

2007-05-31T07:05:00.000-07:00

Hi all

I thought I would give Andrea the chance to put on any last comments but she's sorting out her bits 'n bobs to take north. On top of that, I got the short straw to try to follow her inimitable style of writing. There's no way I could match that!

There's a bit of 'do' for her tomorrow as it really is her final day. My, she'll be a hard act to follow.

You may have seen from the Velodrome Website Webcam that things are looking decidedly un-changed. The kit is a bit sensitive and whilst making it work, it sometimes throws a wobble. I will endeavor to tweak it (I'll give it a kick) tomorrow when back on duty. Hopefully, when the work actually commences you will see the changes as they happen.

It may look as though nothing is happening but we had to set the 'window' up for the job to commence and prepare for the crew to start. In a few days the first drastic cuts will be made and we should have a couple of pics of the pieces we will be selling.

Talking of which, event though Andrea will have departed by then we are still using her e-mail address for you to apply for sections of the track. So, keep looking and sending to tdo at manchestervelodrome.com (got to do it this way to try to stop the robots), 'cos once its gone, its REALLY gone.

Tony O'Brien

It's all over!

2007-05-25T09:51:00.001-07:00

It was never all excitment!

Last post and all that.
What a wonderful 8 years. Just wanted to thank all of you who have helped make my life so rich, both people who came to the Velodrome as punters or as staff. I am very privileged to have known you all. Special thanks to the staff of TVT who have put up with me, supported me and made me laugh - and despair at times. Jarl, Paul, TinyTony, Anthony, SearlySteve, Nicola, Paula, Damien, Simon, Samantha, Gordon, Tracy and not forgetting The Fishwife [Diane] and The Poisoner [Rosaline] - without whom my time at the Velodrome would have been all the poorer.

Look here, a snap from the early days with two of Yasumitsu-Schlapp's national champs - Ian Gorgeous George and Jon Norfolk. Gosh, how young we all look. Don't we? We do as it happens - just in case you had not realised.
Lurking somewhere behind was this chap - Lord Hoy - already a star but awaiting the arrival of the Worlds at Copenhagen to launch him into super-stardom and the unlikely appearance on Five TV and some thing called [actually I can't remember what it is called but look for an earlier post.]

Anyway, soon I shall be sitting on the beach, hanging on for dear life so as not to get blown all the way to Greenland, rain lashing down horizontally and I shall be thinking of you lot.
A bit. Maybe.World Masters Pursuit champion 2007 Eve, my partner on Isle of Lewis whare we are soon to live. someone has to do it!

PS. I know some of you like to have a look at some of my snaps - and if you have little else to do you can see them here www.boxesbellows.blogspot.com

Track bits

2007-05-23T09:42:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder; we have 93 year old Wilfred eager and waiting, Woodbine poised behind left ear, flat cap jauntily sat atop his shiny pate for the flood of expected track bit orders.
It works like this;
A. You email tdo[at]manchestervelodrome [dot]com detailing how many 12" bits of track you want. £10 for bare wood, £15 for stayers/sprinters/datum, £30 for finish line.
B. TDO or admin peel off the email from the pooter, taking care not to fray the edges and then write the order on the back of a fag packet [the only documentation Wilfred has ever used].
C. We then await while Wilfred has a sharp and distinctive intake of breath with the inevitable "That'll cost you" honed from years in the building trade and then lovingly sets to work sharpening his tenant saw.
D. Sometime later, old Wilfred will [hopefully ] have carefully sawn out the piece of track and thrown it accurately onto the Velodrome floor from whence Mr Hardy will collect it and...
E. Stamp the wood with the Velodrome authentication stamp, match it the Authentication certificate and pass it through to reception
F. .. who will then whinge about all the extra work, the mess and Wilfred smoking outside of t'Velodrome door but eventually, after much too-ing and fro-ing put the wood and certificate into a padded envelop, spend a few days finding out how to turn on the pooter, find the correct file
G. telefone or email the buyer - "Gish us the dosh mush" or some such phrase will be uttered, then when the moneyarrives actually address and post the envelop to you dear reader should you actually order the wood in the first place !

Oh, and the new wood will be exactly the same stuff as before - Siberian Pine.

OOh it's quiet here.....

2007-05-22T03:12:00.000-07:00

So, the track is as quiet as I have ever known it - and I have been here a long time. It's quite erie with lovely soft light glowing gently on the old boards as the glaring track lights aren't on.
I took the liberty of sitting in the middle of the home straight this morning quietly taking a few snaps with my old camera and wondering if I could raise enough energy - despite my hangover [Schlapp do last night you see ] and make it to my cupboard. Well I did make it and now I wonder if the place will ever be the same again.
Since I won't be here to see it I suppose it needn't concern me too much. But I have had fun here.

Peter

2007-05-16T08:30:00.000-07:00

Peter Deary; Sometime track coach, commisaire and occaisional derny driver.

Posing.

Please note the Velodrome will be closed as from Sunday till the track has recieved it's new track surface and Andrea has gone off the scene!

The Vital tandem Omnium run by YAsumitsu-Schlapp was a great success with National records and great racing - all won by Jon Norfolk/Ant Kappes - Yasumitsu-Schlapp/Vital.

Photo; M Gill

Paralympics and fings

2007-05-08T03:44:00.000-07:00

The Paralympic World Cup http://www.visaparalympicworldcup.com/ is doing me 'ed in already since outside my cupboard some chap on the microphone is winding up millions of kids that are watching the well-good wheelchair basketball and as a result they are screaming as if Justin Timberlake or some other minor celeb chanteur was in the place. Can't even hear the re-run of Late Junction on tinternet in my cupboard! I shall just have to go and have a watch :-)

Must sort the two outstanding prtojects though before I retire to my little island. Firstly Yasumitsu-Schlapp/Vital has a tandem omnium on the evening of May 14th with 19 tandem pairs!!!!!!!!!! What with the Aussies here and the Irish plus a bevy of fast GB tandem pairs, it looks like it's going t0o be a good event - and only £2 to watch. Starts @ 6.30pm

Then there's the wood from the track to sell. Plain bits £10, sprinters and datum line bits @ £15, finish line £30 etc. If you want a bit you can e-mail me on tdo@manchestervelodrome.com with your order! Shipping June 07. Cool.

TDO downsizes

2007-05-03T06:21:00.000-07:00

TDO downsizes
After eight frantic years at the Velodrome in Manchester, Track Development Officer Andrea Ingram is hanging up her whistle and making a big career move and lifestyle change by moving up to the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.

“It’s been great fun at the Velodrome – most of the time – and I have met some lovely people but time moves on and my partner Eve and I have decided we need a change of lifestyle to something better and a more relaxed way of life in a beautiful place. For the last five years I have been suffering from Chronic Fatigue and it sometimes has been a bit of a struggle – although the Velodrome have been very supportive.

Having worked coaching all sorts of people on bikes and tandems, introduced thousands of new kids and adults onto boards, I feel that I have done my bit. The highlights for me have been my partner Eve winning a World Masters Pursuit title last year plus Aileen McGlynn and Ellen Hunter taking Gold in Athens on the tandem – which was nice as Ellen came through the Women’s Track Cycling Days originally and is my Yasumitsu-Schlapp club-mate. Aileen has mostly stayed with us at home when she comes down for training at the Velodrome and I was heavily involved in coaching and getting the equipment for them for the Paralympics back then. The low-point was perhaps when Ellen broke her back.

It’s going to be a big change from the hustle and bustle of life at the Velodrome with hundreds of people to speak to every day to living on a remote island in a small settlement, but I hope to stay involved with cycling in some way – although not as a full-time job. The Outer Hebrides is the sort of place that runs at a slower pace and I’m hoping to have time to develop my photography – my new darkroom is almost ready to use – as well as taking on new challenges. Exciting as track cycling is, there’s only so much of people riding round in circles on a bit of wood that you can take every day before beginning to feel a bit constrained in life – and I’m not commenting on the people still there either – honest!.

I shall miss all the characters at the Velodrome, the Velodrome and BC staff, The Fishwife, WCPP Mafia ‘boss’ Shane Sutton bending my ear [again] over something – making me an offer I can’t understand, chatting with Craig, Chris, Victoria or some other multi-medalled super-star. But most of all I shall miss the punters; the kids from the schools around the UK, the schools tournaments, the ‘Buena Vista Social club’ on the Tuesday lunchtime Taster, the SQT crowd, the Vets sessions, the ‘Worst Jersey in the World’ competitions, those little kids I knew as mites who now have world titles and are winning big races round the world – like Christian Light and Ben Swift, Yasumitsu-Schlapp/Vital, Michael Hutchinson – despite the fact that I drink black coffee and he wrote I drank white in his book [and just maybe I shall write about this period from MY point of view], the Japanese Keirin bods and other foreign riders I have had the pleasure of making friends with – basically everyone.

I shouldn’t forget my club – Yasumitsu-Schlapp/Vital which was started by Graham Wilman and myself and which originally comprised of a bunch of misfits and novices but over the years has won shed-loads of medals at National and World Level – including Ellen & Paul Hunter & Ian Sharpe’s Gold and Silver and Bronzes in Athens. I can’t remember all of the medals and championships we have won but as well as the Hunters and Eve, Jon Norfolk has a load, Ian ‘Gorgeous’ George too – along with Glynis Francis, Gwyn Carless, Angela Undrell, Joby my nephew, Graham Wilman, Carine vanSchie, Denise Hampson, Joanne Wilman, Anthony Kappes [world champ and record holder], James Griffin, D Smith Esq, Dave Robson etc etc. Still a brill group of riders with new RunnerBoyGill taking the headlines at the moment. I’ll still be in the club – but ‘resting’.

Thanks for all the fun I have had, thanks for talking to me and thanks for letting me be part of your lives. And if you happen to be passing by, do call in for a chat in North Tolsta, Isle of Lewis”

PAralympic WC

2007-04-30T06:12:00.000-07:00

Just a note for your diaries; the Paralympic WC cycling will be on MAy 12th. WELL WORTH coming along to. As will be the Tandem Omnium - open meet May 14th @ 6.30pm with around 20 tandems entered.
Due to the build up for this event, training and other para events taking place here, the track will closed for public sessions from Friday 4th inclusive. Sorry.

The Guinea Pig

2007-04-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

Yo all. It's taken a holiday and a couple of weeks to get over this; a Telvision filming session with Lord Hoy and Racheal Atherton plus some right ..... interesting personages. If any of you lot out have one of those new fangled moving picture thingies then you'll be able to watch this lot on Five TV - called The Guinea Pig it's due out in September. By which time I will be a long way away from this place so I don't get the fall out!

Best not ask what was happening here - trust me!

Late notice availabilty

2007-04-17T07:16:00.000-07:00

Sat 21st April 7-10pm
Sat 12th May 1-4pm & 7-10pm
Sun 13th May 8am-12pm
Sat 19th May 1-3pm

Please call Samantha on 0161 223 2244 to book it!

Oh my goodness

2007-04-17T01:48:00.000-07:00

Lord Hoy of La Paz was seen in t'velodrome today modelling a gorgeous pair of slinky black leather ............ gloves. It brought to mind old pictures of Freddy Mercury - although I am assured by the Great Man 'imself that this was not quite the image he was looking for. Lord Hoy told me, while some photog snapped happily away in t'background, that these sexy glovettes are special like; All sticky when hot and sweaty. At this point I'm beginning to think that my first thoughts were correct. However, The Great Man then goes on to say about getting rid of the talcom powder effect at the start of events since if gives the wrong impression - or something.
I'm not entirely convinced either way. We shall have to see how this one pans out!

Good grief

2007-04-12T02:45:00.000-07:00

Someone told me this morning as I was dragging my weary bod into this place, that they actually read this nonsense. Good Grief! I thought it was just The Boss reading it to see if I did anything all. Thank goodness it's someone else, I can go back to my usual habit of an afternoon nap in The Cupboard that passes for my office.

Yoof; school holiday mayhem

2007-04-11T10:16:00.000-07:00

Here this; The Velodrome are pleased to announce [ah hem] that we have secured a new sponsor for our extremely popular long running, coach bewildering and snappily named School Holiday Youth Track Cycling Sessions. This will commence in July as soon as we have the track back and who it is will be anounced nearer that time. Yeahey!

Just raising the expectation and all that.

At this point

I would have inserted a relevent photo - but have not got one so here's a nice snap of mine taken with an old Kodak plastic camera and colour film. 'Piccadilly skating rink'

Track time available

2007-04-04T08:45:00.000-07:00

Since some bod has cancelled their session, we now have a few hours available on Sunday 15th April @8-12 midday. If you would like to book all or some of these hours please contact Samantha @ bookings.

Ooops! Here's Fred

2007-04-03T08:35:00.000-07:00

Snap digital by Alan W

That last snap was Pig Dyke Molly dancin in the street oop our way.

Fred

2007-04-03T08:24:00.000-07:00

While Fred is away in the USofA visiting his son, buying up new bikes and generally having a good time, we can publish all sorts of selacious stuff about him. Despite ages searching the archives and asking all and sundry, all we can drag up is that Fred used to race cars! A right little Nigel Mansell e was.

Anyway, eres the little fella who coaches and rides at the track - although not both at the same time. By the time he comes home, this post will be way down the list so he won't get to see it!

Talent Transfer

2007-04-01T02:08:00.000-07:00

With the superb ride of ex-rower Rebecca Romera, the velodrome can reveal the plans hat have been put in place to advance the opportunities for talent transfer from the rowing and other sporting fraternities.
When the track has been dismantled at the Manchester Velodrome, prior to it's resurfacing, a huge 1 metre deep tank is to be put in place for 3 weeks to allow potential ex-rowers to utilise the EIS analysis equipement that already is in place at the venue. EIS have been working to fit SRM power analysis rigs onto the boats while there will be pedalloes made available for cricketers wishing to try-out for the GB team.
The whole set up will be dismantled overnight and the new track surface laid ready for July 2007 - hopefuly with more new track cycling talent waiting in the wings ready to go.

Snaps from Bolton Schools

2007-03-30T06:19:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

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?

2007-03-26T07:31:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-22T07:57:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-21T09:32:00.000-07:00

...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!

2007-03-20T08:41:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-19T12:43:00.000-07:00

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

Phew!

2007-03-15T09:36:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-13T08:12:00.000-07:00

Thanks for these David. Lovely

World Cup Snaps

2007-03-13T08:05:00.000-07:00

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

Track Advertising

2007-03-13T07:28:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-10T16:01:00.000-08:00

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

2007-03-10T15:43:00.000-08:00

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

2007-03-08T06:04:00.000-08:00

..........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

2007-03-05T07:29:00.000-08:00

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

2007-03-05T07:28:00.000-08:00

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

2007-03-01T05:29:00.000-08:00

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. :-)

Back to normal

2007-02-28T10:58:00.000-08:00

... whatever that is! And straight into the schools sessions, the SQTs, the derny and sprint sessions and a overall tiredness that pervades after a big event. Ah well, plenty of cyclists still coming in so just get on with it.
Well done to all at the WC - the Velodrome staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure it all happens and, the WC staff who work hard too.
Well done all the Brits who rode really well and the Irish too - great to see them on the world stage.

Soon it the Bike Jumble and it won't be long before Tony sends me the info to put up!

Don't forget the Air Products school holiday track sessions for 9-16 years either. Easter holidays.

They fell off

2007-02-24T10:33:00.000-08:00

Not all of them you understand but a good proportion of them in the Keirin final on the first day of the World Cup. Friday was a brill day and you can read all about it on the BC web-site [see link]. But the snap that took the biscuit was this one :-)

Taken on a 1 pixel camera [film actually- a great big 40 year old Ruski camera at that] and processed by yours truely in t'bathroom that very evening for you all to gawp at. How good is that?

Great riding by all the Brits.

It's all go!

2007-02-23T03:32:00.000-08:00

Were are moments away from the racing happening. The riders are putting in their last warm-up efforts, the crowd is arriving and the commisaires are getting their stories straight - as well as their creases.
Soon, the first riders will be flying round the track and the World Cup will be on.
If you have not got tickets yet, get down here quick!

Next week

2007-02-22T07:26:00.000-08:00

Yup, once all this razzamataz biking sort of thing is over it's back to normal - whatever that is - with schools, commnuity groups and what have you complimenting the SQT and Taster sessions.
Please note; All sessions are busy at the moment so some need booking in advance. Next week it's derny-time on Wednesday evening and Induction the following Sunday [4th March].
Sunday SQTs - usually with Adrian are still on Sundays at 8-10pm.

Mr Wiggins

2007-02-22T07:21:00.000-08:00

Despite Mr Wiggins looking like he has done 10 rounds with Henry Cooper [remember him?] Mr Wiggins has been looking in fine form on the track today, rushing around for short periods at high speed. Martin Barras, one of the Aussie coaches tells me Brad McGee is coming and if he comes it will be because he is on good form. Great stuff. Looks like the pursuit could be one to watch this week.

Photo by L Hickmott

Nightmare on Stuart Street.

2007-02-21T06:33:00.000-08:00

Just had my eyeballs burnt as I espied The Boss out running with bare legs and I, silly me, didn't have my shades on. Talk about lack of sun on them sticks. And he doesn't even have a licence for them.

Many of you may not even know who The Boss is as it happens. He is the well dressed one - rarely seen as he is usually cooped up in his office trying to figure how much more money he can legitimately pay me. It's not much I can tell you. His name is Jarl Walsh and most of the time he looks like this - with his legs covered up;

The Boys

2007-02-21T03:11:00.000-08:00

"If you don't behave I'll send The Boys round to see you"; such is my none too idle threat when a certain antipodean coach winds me up that little bit too much. Of course, I don't send them as I know The Boys have more than enough to do every day here at the Velodrome. Like getting the bikes out for the next lot of lovelies who terrorise the coaches every day.
This week, what with the place overrun with fit and fast riders from around the world and not a schoolchild in sight awaiting to take the spokes out on yet another hire bike, The Boys are doing all the humping, arranging, hanging of flags and what have you to make to place look just dandy on Friday when the meeting opens.
Under the directorship of our amiable Paul Hardy [see previous post], Messers Simon & Damien get to work driving the fork lift hither and thither, turning in such as way as to shed light in just the right way on their carefully honed bodies. Or should I say 'body' since Simon has been pumping the iron recently. Damien, on the other hand is looking to get back to the microwave and yet another pre-packed meal for din-dins.
Well done lads, we couldn't do without you.

Broncos bucking the trend!

2007-02-20T07:34:00.000-08:00

Mr Shane Sutton saw some of his ol'mates from back'ome today as a posse of Brisbane Bronco boys came in for a visit today. Apparently they play some sort of rugby. Not the proper Bath sort of game but the flat'at and whippet game. Anyway, poor devils look like they need to eat more kangaroo pukka - or whatever they call it. Can't imagine that St Helen's team whom the Broncos play soon will have much trouble this lot. http://www.broncos.com.au/
Despite that, one of the Broncos was about the same size as Ross Edgar and Jason Kenny combined.

Teams arrive

2007-02-20T01:40:00.000-08:00

Oh the joy ! Just been watching Di the receptionist dealing, in no uncertain terms with Japanese and Uzbeks this morning as they arrive to do a bit of light track training. Needless to say they won't be tangling with our receptionist again!
Of course the more sophisticated of us here greeted out Oriental friends with "Konnichiwa" and generally felt rather smug. The Uzbeks passed so quickly I little chance to try out my command of that language.
Steve, our IT bod/cook/Duty manager has been putting up the new times for the World Cup track sessions on our main web-site [ www.manchestervelodrome.com ]; so if you want to know what they are, look there because if you think I am going to type all that stuff in here...................

Will keep you lot informed if I see something worth a bit of Gos here this week, so keep looking

World Cup

2007-02-19T00:06:00.000-08:00

Just a quick reminder that the World Cup is on later this week - Friday -Sunday. Well worth the money to go and watch the great racing.
As a result there are no training sessions this week although TL's on Monday and Tuesday are on.

Track Mementoes

2007-02-16T07:53:00.000-08:00

What with the old track surface coming out in the near future, there have been various mutterings [even more than normal that is] about being able to buy a bit of the old track as a memento. Even Christopher Boardman expressed an interest in the piece where he finished his last hour record.
So, without further ado or ramblings, I can announce that the Manchester Velodrome will be arranging for bits of wood from various parts of the surface to be taken out carefully and put on sale. We will be having bits of plain wood and also bits with specific lines on them for a higher consideration. Special bits - like where Craig Mclean rubbed off bits of skin as he came to grief - as he has done at least once here - or the pursuit lines where Wiggly Braggins, Chris Hoy et al started many of their winning races - will be in great demand and command many more groats to acquire. {does that make sense? Probably not!] .
Proceeds from this sale will be put towards commisoning a peice of artwork for display at the Velodrome. Anyway, keep coming back here to see an update of what and when and how much. Please don't hassle the reception yet - you might just lose an ear. Be warned!!!!!!!

We are on a roll!

2007-02-16T06:41:00.000-08:00

Just a note for your diaries that the Velodrome is going to have its nice new surface put on starting on May 21st. It is expected that it will take around 6 weeks so now is the time to think about looking at the Newcastle, Roundhay and Scunthorpe programmes for that period.

Prior to that is the Paralympic World Cup - 7th -10th May. Recent results in the Aussie Open nationals suggest that both tandems - Barney Storey/Ant Kappe and Ellen Hunter/Aileen McGlynn are on form as is Sarah Bailey by the looks of things. Actually, on checking out the Aus results, all the team were flying.

Brilliant event to watch. Get your self so tickets NOW.

Here's nice snap of Ellen/Aileen trashing the Aussies - again [Ahem, you awake Shane??]

The Derny man

2007-02-16T01:18:00.000-08:00

We got dernys. You may have heard them droning round the place with a string of sweating and fast pedalling riders behind. They are not the most sophisticated of machines and require a certain touch to start them.

The Velodrome are extremly lucky in having a brilliant mechanic who visits us from time to time to tweak the things and keep them running real sweet. We couldn't do without him - and, he does it out the goodness of his heart too.

The only downside is that Guy, for that is his name, works around the world and comes in direct from Angola or on the way to Kazacstan [or however you spell it!]. Currently Guy is en-route to somewhere round about Madagasgar on the good ship Yum Klumdo of something.

Anyway, here is Guy, posing - as you do at the Velodrome.

Compare

2007-02-15T08:02:00.000-08:00

... the facilities with this pic from Fallowfield a few years ago or so [1920s perhaps?]. No, I didn't take this snap but got the neg from a photog friend of mine.

I'm sure I recognise one of those bikes though. And the bloke on the left; looks rather like a young Brian Sowter :-)

Behind the scenes

2007-02-15T07:20:00.000-08:00

The Velodrome, with all its razzamataz and supersonic rainbow beclad bike riders riders runs like clockwork most of the time. But sometimes when things go wrong its the Velodrome engineer that puts if all right in a micro-jiffy.

Here right from the Velodromes first pour of concrete and seeing to the twiddly bits when they need a special twiddle, Climbing on the roof sorting it out after bits blow awry in a storm and then up to his arm-pits in unmentionables is Paul Hardy.

Paul is the main man to see when you need a little washer or something as he's bound to have one in a drawer or, failing that, sure to have a catalogue that lists one. Yeahey, what would we do without him??

Helping with all the lifting, painting, sawing, moving to and fro, driving fork-lifts and genrally getting things ready are Damien and Simon.

Oops, that not them me thinks. Will get a snap of the Boys soon

World Cup Track Meeting

2007-02-15T06:15:00.000-08:00

Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th at the Manchester Velodrome.

A chance to witness the worlds best track cyclists racing it out on the worlds best cycle racing track. GB's Olympic Champions Bradley Wiggins and Chris Hoy will be trying to win again against hot opposition. Plus lots of new kids on the block, for example; Ben Swift, Andy Tennent, Jason Kenny and Anna Blyth will all be riding their little hearts out - mainly to stop Shane bending their ears!!! [Shane is smarting a bit; Aussie cricketers get beaten. Aussie tandems get beaten by GB pairs at Aussie Nationals etc. Eh!!]

Not to be missed.

See full details and how to buy tickets here http://www.worldtrackcycling.com/

Photo of Craig Mclean about to trash a Japanese sprinter by Larry Hickmott.

Please note; Due to the World Cup and their pre-event sessions, there will be NO training sessions next week at all. ACT and Tuesdays Track Leagues will run as normal.

This is our new place

2007-02-15T06:04:00.000-08:00

A new place for all you dudes to read about up-to-date info about the Velodrome. Stuff going on, gossip, session news, Rose's new joke, Diane's latest fad and news about likely looking news stars in the making. It's The New World's Velodrone; digitally re-mastered. Or Something.
Basically, if you want to know what is worth knowing at the Manchester Velodrome, this is the place to come.