Headed out to DISC on Saturday night to watch the Sid Patterson Grand
Prix with a stop off for dinner at a great restaurant in High Street,
Northcote, 'Pizza mein liebe'
(http://www.yourrestaurants.com.au/gu...enue&id=277204).
Highly recommended for post ride refuelling. Still very hot and sticky
and worse inside the velodrome. Surprised to note only one bike locked
up outside the velo as we went in but saw about 8 when we left. Cost
was $10 each plus $4 for a programme which was a definate requirement
as it not only listed all the riders but also explained the events to
Euan and I. We've never really watched track racing before so
explanations were much needed.

We got standing room at the steep end of the velo. One poor guy took a
dive from the top of the track right in front of us and took out some
of the track with him which was taped over by some very hardy souls
willing to scramble up. I was very impressed and also horrified to see
how steep the velo track is. Told Euan that I think I'll focus on road
racing. We saw the guy riding around later with a nasty chunk out of
his lycra suit and a rather big graze on his leg.

It was good to know one rider, Reece van Beek, who is trained by the
same lady that I see so we had someone to cheer on. It was interesting
seeing Mark French try to make the Commonwealth Games, unfortunately he
fell just short of the required time. I was pleased to be able to see a
couple of young riders in Leigh Howard and Peter Johnstone who have
very bright cycling futures in front of them I think. I'm still not
sure why some of the scratch races are motor paced and some aren't but
it was great to see all that bike p0rn on display.

I loved the smell of the wood and the noise of the bikes as they went
past and we were so close to the riders when they came up the top of
the track. The atmosphere may have been lacking a little as there
wasn't a huge crowd there but they fired up when it counted. We had a
great night's entertainment and I will definately be watching track
racing again.

details of winners here - http://tinyurl.com/dugzu
and photos - http://tinyurl.com/bus33


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SuzieB