On 14th December 2017, the P&TS team went on an outing to celebrate the end of the year and to get together to spend some time together relaxing.
Part of the group took an initiation class into track cycling at the velodrome in Granges, in the canton of Soleure (Solothurn). This velodrome is home to the headquarters of Swiss Cycling. Its main objective is to serve as a training centre to improve the training of Swiss cyclists. In October 2015, the European Track Cycling championships were held on the track at Granges.
The wooden track is 250 metres long. Instructors were on hand to explain the technique and to accompany our group. The participants thoroughly enjoyed the experience and got a great deal of satisfaction out of managing to cycle on a sloping track and without the use of brakes!
While one group was involved in this sporting activity, another group visited the old town of Soleure (Solothurn), »the most beautiful baroque town in Switzerland ». On a cold, wet late afternoon they braved the elements, however they were all thrilled and impressed by the beauty and authenticity of this town. Soleure dates back to Roman times and is home to the St Urs Cathedral, built in the neo-classical style of “Soleure marble”. For many years each French ambassador lived in Soleure. The splendid baroque architecture dates from this period.
