John has always managed to come up with Away Days that are well researched and interesting and riders have always come away exercised in both mind and body. We had the Magical Mystery Tour from Penarth to Castell Coch and the Magical History Tour from Tenby to Neyland along with an interesting tour of the Stackpole and Bosheston area of Pembrokeshire. I needed an Away Day just before Christmas and I felt it had to be a bit special, sort of like a big fun get-together. Who did I think of to arrange this? Well John Cardy of course. It didn't take him very long to come up with a stunner and he was soon canvassing people about what they thought of a trip to the Newport Velodrome.

Brilliant!! Seemed to be the unanimous reponse. From the very beginning we had far more signed up to come than we had thought possible. Today was the day.

It was strange leaving home in the car bound for an Away Day without a bike on the top. Something seemed missing, but then we were having to use the bikes provided so I just had to keep reassuring myself. We were a few minutes early so we went up to the seating area and were amazed at the size of the track, not to mention the steep banking at both ends.

After some confusion about wrist bands for lockers and paying bike hire we were all changed and ready for being fitted for a bike. These bikes had no gears, no brakes and were fixed wheel, funnily enough without a bell either (bells are probably for wimps in Newport anyway!). The first task was getting the clips fixed to the pedals which seemed an impossibility but once you discovered how it was done it became vaguely easy. Soon there we were, a couple of dozen novices hanging grimly on to the siderail, feet attached to pedals, ready to go. We did about four or five laps gingerly keeping to the lower slopes then came in. I must admit the others were having more fun with it than I was, personally I think it was the absence of a bell which was bothering me, nevertheless watching the others going round and getting more daring as time went on was quite exciting in itself so I contented myself in taking photographs.

The riders were split into two groups and shown how to ride in a line with the leader pulling back after each lap and very soon they began to look really professional. I wonder if it's too late to enter for next year's Tour de France? The booking was for two hours and by the end the steep banking was being used to the full and when each rider came in for a rest they were red faced and puffing but full of excitement. John Cardy had excelled himself with this event.

This event was purely for enjoyment but there are some amongst us who cannot do without the adrenalin rush that comes with competition. But how were they to compete when they were under the eagle eye of the coach? Well we are not really certain how they did it but four of the group seemed to have managed it. The facts are a bit obscure and there was great reluctance to divulge the nature of the contest but I can tell you that the winner appeared to be Colin with Jan in second place and Val coming a close third. Poor Mike seems to have been unplaced.

Wait a minute! I have some information coming in over the headphones.

"Really, oh, you don't say? Goodness me! Well that's disgraceful!!"

Right, well I can tell you that the contest is thought to have been based on bribery and corruption, it seems that each place was bought and Colin offered the highest sum of 42p, Jan 31p and Val seriously miscalculated with his bid of 11p. Mike searched his pockets but all he could find was a khaki shirt button. Never mind he was content to forego the glory and pocket the princely proceeds of 84p.

So the first drinks have to be on him then!

A buffet lunch was laid on at the cricket club not far away and a good spread it was too. It was clear that everyone had enjoyed the day.

Someone was so exhausted that he fell asleep after the effort of eating just a small bowl of crisps, it would be unfair to name him so a photo was taken instead. Second thoughts if I don't name him he might think I have forgotten it already - what the heck, it was Barry Fox!

Martin gave John a well deserved vote of thanks and we headed for home. This venue will most definately be revisited.

Happy pedalling

Lew Spokes

Starting off		Getting daring
On her own - Chris		Dynamo Dai aims high
Mr Cardy blue-lining		Just once more!
Hey, that was great (photo - Mike Brewer)		The assembled group
A dubious competition		Wot, no champagne!
Barry sleeps		The Cardy brothers