MATTAMY NATIONAL CYCLING CENTRE - THE VELODROME SERIES - COPPS COLISEUM

Here's something that you don't see every six days.

After our successful Fonthill Velodrome venture, here I continued to team with Peter Junek. In the tradition of the old six day races, we in the span of one week set up and took down this track.

Hamilton, Ontario, CANADA

Nice track trusses!
Welcome to the Wonderful Wide World of Wood.

Click:

Here's some nice Six Day History.

 Welcome to 

The 1996 Short Track Cycling McDonald's

This Friday test preceded Saturday's action. Soon followed with the track being relocated to either Bromont, Quebec or Dieppe,NB. Can't remember? Have to check with Peter.

THE VELODROME SERIES LIBRARY

If anybody out there has a library card and can figure out the Dewey Decimal system,
check out your  e-nemy book club picks

now call me mint jelly because I'll be on the lamb

MATTAMY NATIONAL CYCLING CENTRE - THE VELODROME SERIES - WINDHAM CENTRE

WINDHAM WHERE?

WINDHAM CENTRE

Once home to all (most) things track racing in Ontario.

This loop of asphalt can still be found in its state of disrepair in between the towns of Simcoe and Delhi, Ontario.

Belgium tobacco country.

Lets roll the calendar back and take a brief look at the provincial track championships starting with:

1987

 What I believe we have here are a couple of St Catharine's riders with perhaps Matt Strong on the point.
What I do know is that keeping a eye on the action is Commissarie Big Joe DeMayer.

 I can't even remember the tracks length. 200m? 

 While we are taking a look at 1987, here we have the current Mattamy cycling program director Steve Bauer. In the Look/Toshiba kit. The event was The Queens Park Grand Prix in Toronto.
Can't remember. Have to ask Steve if he won.

Curt Harnett at the same event

A flash back forward to:

1988

A spin off of the St Catharine's Cycling Club, Karen Strong's Fenwick charges prep for the Junior Men's Team Pursuit.

L-R Dave Morrison, Ezio Andreola, Frank Screamin and Darren O'Neal.

Dan LaFebvre, just over Darren's shoulder, was always a supporter and mentor for the boys.

 Offering riders' support on the outsides is Matt Strong and Mr All Things Velodrome, Peter Junek.

See what Peter is doing today

Click here Peter Junek

 Victory

I guess Frank had to go home.

The gang, still in 1988, headed to Winnipeg for Nationals. Ezio bagged this nice jersey.

Maybe full report later.

1989

Men's Junior Sprint
Ezio Andreola trying not to be the cat.

Now the mouse?

Fonthill, Fenwick and St Catharine's rider, Lyold Thomas, ever so friendly, seemed to regularly receive the Least Likely to Succeed, Award
CHECK THIS OUT
Lloyd went on to a profesional carrer in cycling service.
Today he and his partner offer consultation to some of the world's best Pro Cyclists.

Click here Lloyd Thomas

Men's Team Pursuit.

Silver for St Catharines

Here Matt Strong is awarded his medal.

(Could that possibly be Lincoln "The Link" Alexander) 

Peter Junek

Were there many more colourful figures back in those days than Brian Kuchyt.

See what happens when you go get your hair cut with your hair net bike helmet on.

What's next?

Hamilton Six Day

  

MATTAMY NATIONAL CYCLING CENTRE - THE VELODROME SERIES

My recent trip to the new Milton Velodrome has me setting the Hot Tub Time machine to luke warm and heading back, first to 1976, and the

MONTREAL OLYMPIC VELODROME

Holy high heel cycling shoes!

 My brother and I will be forever thankful to our parents for dragging us around at every opportunity we had to see the world.

Here lucky for us this time the world came to Canada.
Hey wait.
I think I see Waldo.

Keirin

Just looking back now, this must have been a 333m track.

The Velodrome hosted not only cycling but also Judo.

Here my mother (r) stands with the Kliens from Niagara Falls. The velodrome in the background, as is the unfinished Big O.

Please enjoy this brief intermission as I slightly adjust the tub's temps so we can jump a few years to .....

1988

where some members of The Fenwick Cycling Club, a side venture of the St Catharines Cycling Club, hit the boards for some mid winter training

Dave Vernoy
Nice hair net.

 Here decorated Canadian cyclist Karen Strong directs her charges,

#29, Dave Vernoy, Karen, Thorold's Lloyd Thomas, The other Fenwick Flash, Ezio Andreola and looking like he's getting ready to mount, Darren ONeal from Welland.

Time has moved on that Mr. Smily here, Ezio Andreola's son has ridin' the Forest City boards, I believe on occasion with his dad.

 Karen's palmares are still rarely matched in Canadian women's cycling.

Click here:
Karen Strong

It was with Karen, Peter Junek, Colin H, Glauco C. and the helping hands of many others that these boys and a few more went on to medal at both Canadian and Provincial Track Championships

He didn't travel with us so I can't say, but is that Piers Davidge in the #1 black and yellow kit?

One sad result of our healthy ways is the at one time,

Player's
sponsored

 EVERYTHING

It was shortly after this session that the track was ripped out and the building converted to a pilgrimage site for Pauly Shore's forgettable movie:

BIO-DOME
click if you dare.
STINKER ALERT!! Bio-Dome

Where to next?

Winnipeg

Wyndam Centre