Would be nice if Coe and his cronies actually followed through on their promises of the Olympics actually benefiting the whole of the UK.
Their decision not to hold the MTB in one of the fantastic facilities which already exist is testament to the fact that they want everything in/close to London.
Would be a whole lot better if the Road Race incorporated some proper terrain. Having said that, are we back again to local authorities/police forces' willingness to allow such an event. Surely, it would be different with an Olympic event to a relatively small race?
Absolutely they should put it outside London. May I suggest near Manchester!? Then I could easily go see it. Plus there are lots of great hills around here that would make it challenging.
Isn't it somewhat flat near London? (I'm asking as I don't know....)
"If the route is altered, the area could lose out financially by missing out on cash to spruce up the roads."
Oh no, Hampstead and Highgate missing out financially? That's outrageous! :roll:
Sheffield would be brill, a proper hilly course guaranteed. And we could do with some sprucing up of the roads...
It's the London Olympics, not the Sheffield Olympics or the Manchester Olympics or, for that matter, the British OIympics. We've plenty of roads around here that could produce a selective circuit, if required.
If I was Lord Coe I'd be suggesting 100 laps of the Regents Park Inner Circle which should result in a bunch sprint perfectly suited to Mark Cavendish.
Not disputing that it's the London Olympics - let's just stop the pretence that it's for everyone's benefit and worthy of taking an incredible amount of money from worthwhile projects all over the UK, which would actually benefit everyone.
They'd be crazy to take it outside London. Along with the marathon, it's the one chance to show off the sights of the city. It is also one of the few events people can see for free - so put it where the people are.
The only reasons that the Beijing race went up to Bandaling was because of the nice pictures of them cycling through the Wall and there was a bit of a hill (Beijing being rather flat). It was more or less inaccessible for spectators (even without the over paranoid Chinese autorities).
Keep it in London. Go round the sights. Keep it Cav friendly.
Who's pretending? Part of me thinks it's great London is hosting the Olympics, another part thinks it's an utter waste of money (bar the velodrome obviously).
Who's pretending? Part of me thinks it's great London is hosting the Olympics, another part thinks it's an utter waste of money (bar the velodrome obviously).
Not suggesting that the public are - sorry, was a bit vague when I said "let's". I was referring to Coe and his team's propoganda.
A few bridges, a couple of early hills (Highgate, Hampstead etc) finishing in 5-10 laps of a large inner London circuit. Cav will win, everyone will be happy - but the race will be a bit dull.
Has the national champs in 2012 been set? Would make sense to race on the same course as a test and give the UK riders a practice run.
A few bridges, a couple of early hills (Highgate, Hampstead etc) finishing in 5-10 laps of a large inner London circuit. Cav will win, everyone will be happy - but the race will be a bit dull.
Has the national champs in 2012 been set? Would make sense to race on the same course as a test and give the UK riders a practice run.
There's always a test event before the Games anyway. Quite a few big names - Evans, Nibali, Mick Rogers etc - did the Beijing one:
Why don't they take it down and over Ditchling a couple of times... god knows i hope they don't keep it to London. I live here and struggle to find the will to get out on my steed. The london roads are so bloody awful and depressing. However, I am paying for the bloody games so i guess I want some of it in town.
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Their decision not to hold the MTB in one of the fantastic facilities which already exist is testament to the fact that they want everything in/close to London.
Would be a whole lot better if the Road Race incorporated some proper terrain. Having said that, are we back again to local authorities/police forces' willingness to allow such an event. Surely, it would be different with an Olympic event to a relatively small race?
Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
Isn't it somewhat flat near London? (I'm asking as I don't know....)
I could design you a route based around Dorking (not too far out of London) that would be as selective as LBL if thats what you want.
Oh no, Hampstead and Highgate missing out financially? That's outrageous! :roll:
Sheffield would be brill, a proper hilly course guaranteed. And we could do with some sprucing up of the roads...
If I was Lord Coe I'd be suggesting 100 laps of the Regents Park Inner Circle which should result in a bunch sprint perfectly suited to Mark Cavendish.
The only reasons that the Beijing race went up to Bandaling was because of the nice pictures of them cycling through the Wall and there was a bit of a hill (Beijing being rather flat). It was more or less inaccessible for spectators (even without the over paranoid Chinese autorities).
Keep it in London. Go round the sights. Keep it Cav friendly.
You could do a decent route inside London IMO for the road race.
How do people keep up with cycling news if they don't read Ham and High?
Not suggesting that the public are - sorry, was a bit vague when I said "let's". I was referring to Coe and his team's propoganda.
BTW, my take on it is very similar to yours.
A few bridges, a couple of early hills (Highgate, Hampstead etc) finishing in 5-10 laps of a large inner London circuit. Cav will win, everyone will be happy - but the race will be a bit dull.
Has the national champs in 2012 been set? Would make sense to race on the same course as a test and give the UK riders a practice run.
There's always a test event before the Games anyway. Quite a few big names - Evans, Nibali, Mick Rogers etc - did the Beijing one:
http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php ... beijing071