Craig-C dropped me a line in response to Mashmonster’s and my visit to the Brunswick velodrome on the weekend. He suggested that next time I’m in Melburn that I don some stubbie shorts, put on a Victoria Bitter branded ‘wife beater’ (singlet) and head south to the Packer Park velodrome.
Apparently Packer Park has a bit of a glittery history.. and I like history! “Resurfaced in 2000, it is renowned by past and present Olympians as a great Victorian training and racing venue. Despite its modern surface, the velodrome is steeped in history, being used as a training venue for the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games and by the training squads for the 1960 and 1964 Olympics. It is now home to the Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club”.
Being Tasmanian, I’m partial to a spot of parochialism (Launceston really DOES suck). Nothing better than a bit of ‘my velodrome is better than yours’ or ‘northern suburbians are latte drinkers, southern Melbourians are pie eating bogans’ banter to fuel the competative fire!! Anyway, Craig’s comment got me to thinking about all the great club rivalries in sport.. Collingwood versus everyone else, Queensland versus NSW in Rugby League, Hutchins versus St Virgils in our local rowing competition.. I’m pretty sure this extends across all sport, I’m wondering if we could evoke a tad of friendly parochialism within our own ranks? Perhaps at the Single Speed Nationals in Hobart we could get the Bottles and Chains Melburn Chapter to square up against the Hobart mob in a ride off of sorts? How better to get to know our northern (or southern) brothers!
The gauntlet is on the ground gentlemen..
