October 18/06 10:30 am - Forest City Velodrome News

Posted by Editor on 10/18/06
 

Forest City Velodrome News
Courtesy Mike T.

There is a lot happening at the Forest City Velodrome and we're just entering the fall and winter riding season with expanded riding times and sessions. Please take the time to read the Velodrome's website as it contains much information on our programs. Check back often for running changes!

FC Velodrome phone - 519-878-7849. For updated information, track closures, weather related emergency closures, upcoming races, training camps and other news.


Racing!

Six-Day Racing returns to the FCV for the first time this winter, October 20-22nd and 27-29th. Start times - 7pm Friday & Saturday, 2pm Sunday. See our best seven 2-man Madison teams battle it out over six evenings' of racing.

The team line ups are a good mix of youth & experience. Three of our Juniors will be taking part in the first 6 Day of the winter season.

National Team Coach Eric Van den Eynde will be at the track on Tuesday & Wednesday night to give instruction to the Madison Teams in final preparation for the 6 Day. The people who really need to know about this have already been notified by rg (Rob Good).

Also the FCV is pleased to announce the first woman to take part in a 6 Day in Canada. Maogosha Pyjor will team with talented espoire Adam Thuss for the event. Pyjor was very excited to find out her application was accepted into the ultimate in endurance races.

Members and non members - Support your Velodrome and sport by having a great time watching exciting team Madison racing. Also London Track League races during the intermissions.

Bring a Friend deal - Bring a friend and get FREE admission for Friday night at the Velodrome. Must show membership card.

A Special Feature on Sunday October 22 - at the 2pm start - will be the Joe DeMaeyer Tribute - see Daily News October 12/06 10:45 am EDT - Joe DeMaeyer Tribute. Joe was a 6-day racer many years ago and would be so proud of this tribute. Please be there for Joe on this special event.

Here is a fine tribute to Joe that was sent to Velodrome member John Craig Jr. from someone who probably knew Joe as well as anyone - many times national champion, Commonwealth champion, Worlds medalist Jocelyn Lovell:

Dear John,

Thank you. I telephoned Edna, Joe's wife, a year ago or so and she told me Joe was just recently a resident of the Delhi Nursing Home. When I telephoned him there, we talked about the old days, indeed back to 1963 until they came and took the phone away from him. Chris Hooker and Sammy Watson soon went to see him there for a few hours.

When Joe died from double pneumonia Edna called Hooker with the news and so it was that Chris telephoned me last night (Oct 8th).

He was one of those rare gems that only those truly blessed would come to know. He was our Joe, and will never be replaced. It is folks like Joe that made Canadian bike racing.

I think I hold the record for being the rider that Joe disqualified the most. I enjoyed getting disqualified by Joe as it made me sharper and able to eventually avoid detection altogether. I always thanked him when he caught me.

No one else could have taken the abuse that Joe meted out to himself and I reckon that's why he lived well into his 80's.

No good bye's Joe. You'll always be here, in our hearts and in our souls. We shall forever tell our best stories about you. We shall tell your stories and claim them as our own. They were the best of times. They were the finest of times.

I hope you took that gold medal I gave you with you, in your heart if not in your hand. You know the one, Joe, the one I gave to you as a thanks for helping me out when I had to teach those bastards a lesson by taking from them what they wanted the most by cracking their skinny legs back in '74. You fueled the fire and let me know that, for once, I wasn't alone.

We love you now and forever.

Jocelyn


Non racers - surely everyone has some competitive spirit inside them! Come out to the Thursday night Time Trial Series and do a personal Time Trial (www.forestcityvelodrome.ca/comeriderace.html#timetrial and see how you stack up against others. Maybe you'll find your hidden talent.

Weekly Results and personal best records - www.forestcityvelodrome.ca/results.html#2006tt


New!! Velo-kids Skills Program - October 28th 4pm - 6pm. Bronze, Silver, Gold Levels achievement levels! To be outlined for parents & Kids on that date with more information to follow. All VeloKids and parents please attend! This session is made possible by our Active 2010 grant. Thanks Active 2010!


Warm clothing reminder! It's getting chilly inside the Vel again so you're reminded to bring warm riding clothes.


Universal Gym - the Velodrome now has Universal Gym weight training apparatus. The FCV is expanding the services that it offers.


Swap/Sale and BBQ report - a grand total of $950 was raised for future FCV programs through the kind donation of the Curt Harnett frames and parts, Ned's BBQ'd burgers and other sales. Thanks to Curt, Ned and everyone!


Expanded Recreational Riding times - Extra Fall/Winter sessions have been added to the Rec Riding schedule. Featuring - Monday 3-5pm......Wednesday 9-11pm......Expanded Saturday hours......Now open Sunday again! Out-of Towners, this one's for you! You asked for this! See the new schedule - ww.forestcityvelodrome.ca/comeriderace.html.


Trackschool - all riding sessions require some level of Trackschool for everyone's safety. New riders! - Some people are showing up for sessions without the required training. Check the website for the sessions' descriptions for necessary prerequisites. Don't get turned away - book your Trackschool sessions now.