World Track Championships

After a long period without updates let me brush some of the dust from this site with some pictures from the World Track Championships. Unfortunatly I forgot my Minolta so I used the Nokia N95 which wasn't the best.

We arrived in Manchester Saturday afternoon to the Travel Lodge hotel. It was what I expected, cheap and cheerful. It cost us £47 for the room for 1 night. We just dropped our bags into the room and went into Manchester for a look around. The weather was shocking, really thunping rain. We had a good explore and went around the Arndale Centre then went to Wagamamas for dinner. Its been a long time since I last went to Wagamamas and it really is a fantastic place to eat!

Anyway after getting back to the hotel with some booze I sat down to watch match of the day before going to bed. The bloody TV wasn't tuned in very well... I went down to reception who looked at me gone out and said its normal...

Great!

After noticing that and a few other 'issues' with the room I noticed sticky patches on the carpet, bits of hard black stuff on the sheets and a lamp that didnt want to stay upright. The divan looked 20 years old. The breakfast was no better in the morning. It might be the snob in me but if they can't even get the basic's right should the be in this industry? I don't think I'll use a travel lodge again.

Anyway turning up to the track after walking through some not so nice areas of Manchester was magnificent. The track is as amazing as people have said.

We had a walk around before the events started and found a picture hung on the velodrome walls of a fellow Ashfield rider:

After a few events with the Brits not having the strongest athletes Victoria Pendleton's first Kieran round win was a fantastic boost. Holland had a very impressive team for the final day taking many wins. Unfortunatly when it came down to it Vicky just got pipped in the final by an American. The crowd cheering and suddenly groaning stuck in my mind. Matthew Crampton looked to be getting a well deserved medal but got pipped by the last rider in the 1km time trial. He was 2nd rider out and held the lead until the very last few riders. He's certainly got potential and it one to watch in the future.

I shall definately go for more days next time. I must give track cycling a go!

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