Saturday 4 August 2012

The Keirin


The Keirin
Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Great Britain is doing extremely well in the Velodrome. 

The Keirin is a fascinating discipline. It is led out by a man on a derny – a motorised bike. He gradually increases speed until he reaches 45 kmh/28mph then peels off and the race proper starts.

The man on the derny is sombrely dressed in black and rides the bike in what I can only describe as a ‘country manner’ – legs widespread. He is very serious about his task, a true professional, but I think a string of onions round his neck would complete his Gallic image. The photos below, taken from the television screen, are not good quality.



13 comments:

  1. We saw that race yesterday and my sister was astonished and didn't understand why they started out following the man. We saw Britain win the gold medal the other day with 4 men on bikes - Congratulations!

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  2. Congratulations on your gold. I've never even heard of the Keirin.

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  3. Well that explains it. My husband and I wondered about the guy in black. Thanks for the info.

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  4. I had previously never heard of that sport. Yes, the man in black looks very serious about his job!

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  5. Ah very nice. Congratulations. NZ is doing really well in rowing

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  6. Ah very nice. Congratulations. NZ is doing really well in rowing

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  7. I have ridden behind a derny. Over six decades ago, but I swear it was the same guy!

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  8. That's a fascinating event.

    The sound of "God Save the Queen" in the velodrome doesn't get old! Wonderful results for Team GB

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  9. I've never heard of the Keirin either. I enjoyed this post Janice, thank you. Congratulations on the gold.

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  10. I didn't know that. Not good at detail am I

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  11. The Olympics are going so well. I think you just taught me a new word: keirin. :)

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  12. Now I understand your Twitter comment.

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  13. Hi Janice .. just trying to catch up - love this post and those pics - your description of the onion seller rings so true - now I'll always see him with a string of onions or garlic around him.

    We've done well I'm delighted to say .. cheers Hilary

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