Published: 5 May 2004
Competitors due to contest the Bordeaux ? Paris style 50 kilometre race on Reading Velodrome on Monday afternoon braved downpours of rain to reach Palmer park only to find the track flooded and unsafe to race on. Reluctantly, Organiser Gordon Sherratt, co-ordinator John Dennis and the two master Derny Drivers, Colin Garnham and Clive Sturgeon after much consultation were forced to cancel the whole programme which was scheduled to start at 1 p.m. This was the third meeting in a row to be cancelled due to heavy rain this year. So far there has been no racing at Palmer Park in 2004.
Visitors from London, amongst them Bryan Taylor, National Derny paced Champion who won his title at Reading last July, made the point that cycling and athletics at Palmer park Stadium would benefit greatly if the cycling and athletic tracks were covered with some sort of protective roof. ?There would be no need to cover the whole open space ? observed Taylor ?just protect the tracks from rain and frost to ensure racing did not have to be cancelled when the weather was bad?. The comments were based on his connections with his home Velodrome at Herne Hill (venue of the 1948 Olympic cycling events) which is currently engaged in a refurbishment programme, which includes a roof cover which will ensure the Velodrome is weather protected.
While it is appreciated that such a development at Palmer Park would be a costly operation it would ensure that the Velodrome could stage racing all year round. That would guarantee that the excellent facility was generating income from cycling continually, and provide a much needed opportunity to expand the availability of ?off road? cycling conditions particularly for schoolchildren. Perhaps this would be a good time for the Council?s Sport Development Forum to give serious thought to providing more, and better, safe cycling opportunities for Reading?s thousands of youngsters, especially when the Government is working so hard to increase the amount of sporting activity for schoolchildren to counter the massive obesity problem that overshadows good health in the future. There is ample evidence that more cycling facilities are required since surveys in recent times by MORI the renowned research organisation clearly demonstrated that riding a bicycle is number one favourite after school leisure activity for youngsters in this country.
Blending the obvious need with the enthusiasm and determination of the Council?s Sport Development Forum should produce a powerful case for lottery funding to help the project on the road to success.