Legs of Steel Omnium - 4pm Saturday 10th March - Tempe

[mikesbytes]

Entry to the track started a little late as Chubsie had the key and apparently he was too busy looking at bike porn at Ashfield Cycles. How can you criticize someone who spends 60% of his income his income on bikes.

Except for a few who were smart enough to bring their own bikes, they headed for the bike shed and pulled out various bikes in questionable setups. It was noted how similar the frame shape on Chris's bike looked to an alloy one of the same brand and model.

Pat was the first casualty, his chosen ride just didn't want to play party and he as at risk of DNS while he played with it, but he got out just in time for the flying 333.

Flying 333
With Alex C doing the timing, we knew it was going to be spot on and his first Bernard beer was sure to help his reactions, results in race order;
James 24.6
Simon 24.1
Eleri 27.8
Chris 22.1
Lizanne 24.0
Alex D 22.7
Tim 23.2
Pat 22.4

The truth being that the times represented the state of the bikes chosen, in particular gearing.

Missing Out
Was divided into 2 groups of 4 with a half lap handicap. They were given 4 laps to the first elimination. The came together on the final lap of the first elimination.
Eleri 8th
Tim 7th
Simon 6th
Chris 5th
James 4th
Pat 3rd
Alex D 2nd
Lizanne 1st

6 lap wheel race
Alex C set the handicaps;
Eleri 220
James 160
Pat 160
Simon 150
Tim 140
Lizanne 80
Alex D 30
Chris Scratch

After about 2 laps it came pretty clear that the handicaps were 2 soft, so 2 laps were removed from the race. Then it came apparent that this was the race where it was important to have 3 L's in your surname

Simon 1st
Tim 2nd
Chris 3rd
Alex D 4th
James 5th
Pat 6th
Eleri 7th
Lizanne 8th

Madison
I've always wondered why there's an event named after a pop group of questionable quality, but some how it always seems to provide a lot of excitement.

After a bit of discussion, it was decided to pair up in the following groups;
Chris + Pat
Lizanne + Alex D
Simon + Eleri
Tim + James

They headed off on the 40 lap race, but 5 laps in Eleri decided that some organic makeup provided by the infield would match well with her green edge costume. The race was stopped. After about 5 minutes Eleri voiced concern that her legs wouldn't look good in a short skirt on Monday and this was the call to restart the race, while Eleri held an ice pack to her face and she hadn't even had a Bernard beer.

So that left the line up as;
Chris + Pat
Lizanne + Alex D
Simon
Tim + James

Sprint 1 - 30 laps
Chris + Pat 1st
Lizanne + Alex D 2nd
Tim + James 3rd
Simon 4th

Sprint 2 - 20 laps
Chris + Pat 1st
Lizanne + Alex D 2nd
Tim + James 3rd
Simon 4th (- 2 laps)

Sprint 3 - 10 laps
Chris + Pat 1st
Lizanne + Alex D 2nd
Tim + James 3rd
Simon 4th (- 3 laps)

Sprint 4 - 0 laps
Chris + Pat 1st
Lizanne + Alex D 2nd
Tim + James 3rd
Simon 4th (- 4 laps)

While the results were consistent with each sprint, there were some pretty close calls.

Then James went and got Eagle boys pizza, which most washed down with Bernard beers. But while he was away the boys had some fun in the infield with some grass sprinting.

[Simon Llewellyn]

Great event yesterday!

Always fun to get out the kids bikes and rip our legs off on the small gears. Patty's efforts in the flying 200m was one of the most impressive feats. Bad luck award goes to Eleri in taking the scenic route in the Madison finding the grass. Most of all I enjoyed my win in the wheel race, it's always fun to win on steel!

Thanks to Mike for organising the event!

[patn]

Yeah thanks Mike that was great fun! I hope eleri is feeling ok today

[Eleri]

I'm goodish thanks. Led the adventure ride to Bundeena, a bit sore around the ribs and looking a bit face beaten but otherwise OK.

At least I know now what happens when you try and throw someone bigger than you and put too much into that. Remember next time - put as much power into holding the bike! Newton's third law of motion.

[timyone]

four L's mike!
You will be right next time Elleri

[AlexD]

Great write-up Mike.

I had a lot of fun. It felt like a real luxury riding my usual bike, instead of a junior's with 70-something gear inches. Amazed at how fast Pat could spin his legs!

It's true that Chris's bike had an alloy-like resemblance, but to be honest the kid was moving so fast I didn't have time to look at it.