Olympic Road Race - Where Will You Be Watching?
I'm just finalising my arrangements for the Olympics and it looks like I'm going to book into a campsite on 27 July (Blackheath RFC in Eltham) for 3 nights. The plan is to watch the men's road race on the 28th whilst the wife and kids go into town, possibly the women's on the 29th and then I have tickets for the cross country part of the equestrian 3 day event in Greenwich Park on the 30th.
Not really knowing London and the Surrey area (and not wanting to take the car out) where would you recommend watching? I was thinking of watching them out and back through Richmond Park but are there any other areas that would be worthwhile? If anyone who knows the route fancies sorting out a meet up for some racing and beer I'd be up for it
Not really knowing London and the Surrey area (and not wanting to take the car out) where would you recommend watching? I was thinking of watching them out and back through Richmond Park but are there any other areas that would be worthwhile? If anyone who knows the route fancies sorting out a meet up for some racing and beer I'd be up for it
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Pross wrote:I'm just finalising my arrangements for the Olympics and it looks like I'm going to book into a campsite on 27 July (Blackheath RFC in Eltham) for 3 nights. The plan is to watch the men's road race on the 28th whilst the wife and kids go into town, possibly the women's on the 29th and then I have tickets for the cross country part of the equestrian 3 day event in Greenwich Park on the 30th.
Not really knowing London and the Surrey area (and not wanting to take the car out) where would you recommend watching? I was thinking of watching them out and back through Richmond Park but are there any other areas that would be worthwhile? If anyone who knows the route fancies sorting out a meet up for some racing and beer I'd be up for it
Erm a pub on the route in SW London with me and hopefully a few other forumites / cycling fans?0 -
Sounds like a plan apart from us paupers from the provinces pass out at the thought of London pub prices and that's when they haven't got a big event happening outside their pub!0
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Rick Chasey wrote:Pross wrote:Sounds like a plan apart from us paupers from the provinces pass out at the thought of London pub prices and that's when they haven't got a big event happening outside their pub!
Pfft, man up. I'll even buy your first drink.
Well, in that case....what pub and what time? (I can only stay for the one mind
). I'll start saving, presumably somewhere with a decent supply of Belgian beer to toast Boonen as he passes? 0 -
What happened to the Box Hill ticket thing?
Otherwise, watching with Mr Chasey sounds like a fine idea. Although, I'm still waiting to hear about some some other tickets which might clash.0 -
Pross wrote:Rick Chasey wrote:Pross wrote:Sounds like a plan apart from us paupers from the provinces pass out at the thought of London pub prices and that's when they haven't got a big event happening outside their pub!
Pfft, man up. I'll even buy your first drink.
Well, in that case....what pub and what time? (I can only stay for the one mind). I'll start saving, presumably somewhere with a decent supply of Belgian beer to toast Boonen as he passes?
Erm, Not sure how many acceptable pubs there are on route. Will do some research.
It most likely will be near Fulham.0 -
I'll be watching it from the middle of the road at an unspecified part of the course, probably wearing a high-viz tabard, blowing a whistle and waving a small luminous flag.
http://www.georgesfoundation.org
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Pross wrote:I'm just finalising my arrangements for the Olympics and it looks like I'm going to book into a campsite on 27 July (Blackheath RFC in Eltham) for 3 nights. The plan is to watch the men's road race on the 28th whilst the wife and kids go into town, possibly the women's on the 29th and then I have tickets for the cross country part of the equestrian 3 day event in Greenwich Park on the 30th.
Not really knowing London and the Surrey area (and not wanting to take the car out) where would you recommend watching? I was thinking of watching them out and back through Richmond Park but are there any other areas that would be worthwhile? If anyone who knows the route fancies sorting out a meet up for some racing and beer I'd be up for it
Your staying in Eltham? :shock:
I'll be watching some where around Box Hill loop.0 -
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Somewhere on the Box Hill loop - ideally on the hill itself, subject to ticket availability, but otherwise somewhere before / after the hill but still on the loop they ride 9 times. At least that wasy I'll see them whizz past more than once!
This all assumes I don't get dragged off to Warwickshire for the weekend for some friends' housewarming / anniversary party. I haven't had that conversation with my wife yet...0 -
Gazzaputt wrote:Your staying in Eltham? :shock:
Yeah, left it too late to book a hotel at a sensible rate but they are doing camping on the Blackheath rugby ground there. It should be a secure site and only £165 for 3 nights for all four of us in a pre-erected tent. Will only be in the area when we go back for the evening so not a problem.0 -
mroli wrote:I'll be watching it from the middle of the road at an unspecified part of the course, probably wearing a high-viz tabard, blowing a whistle and waving a small luminous flag.
May as well volunteer to marshall then...“New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!0 -
Pross wrote:Gazzaputt wrote:Your staying in Eltham? :shock:
Yeah, left it too late to book a hotel at a sensible rate but they are doing camping on the Blackheath rugby ground there. It should be a secure site and only £165 for 3 nights for all four of us in a pre-erected tent. Will only be in the area when we go back for the evening so not a problem.
That's near Well Hall Road - It's not too terrible to be honest. They've also got grounds in Charlton.
It will surprise no one to know I'm not going to watch any of the events.Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.0 -
iainf72 wrote:Pross wrote:Gazzaputt wrote:Your staying in Eltham? :shock:
Yeah, left it too late to book a hotel at a sensible rate but they are doing camping on the Blackheath rugby ground there. It should be a secure site and only £165 for 3 nights for all four of us in a pre-erected tent. Will only be in the area when we go back for the evening so not a problem.
That's near Well Hall Road - It's not too terrible to be honest. They've also got grounds in Charlton.
It will surprise no one to know I'm not going to watch any of the events.
That's the one - phew, was worried for a bit especially as I've just booked a lovely hotel in New York only to find the area it's in is a complete dump and I'm on a no cancellation rate!
Miserable git - thought you'd have been at the finish cheering on Cav with Corneymade 0 -
iainf72 wrote:Pross wrote:Gazzaputt wrote:Your staying in Eltham? :shock:
Yeah, left it too late to book a hotel at a sensible rate but they are doing camping on the Blackheath rugby ground there. It should be a secure site and only £165 for 3 nights for all four of us in a pre-erected tent. Will only be in the area when we go back for the evening so not a problem.
That's near Well Hall Road - It's not too terrible to be honest. They've also got grounds in Charlton.
It will surprise no one to know I'm not going to watch any of the events.
Get your lazy ass down the pub with me. We can argue about the Olympic RR being a chipper race and conclude that it probably is after a really boring race. 0 -
I live close by, but am leaning torwards watching it on the tv tbh...UNLESS I can get a ticket for Box Hill WTF has happened to that?Blog on my first and now second season of proper riding/racing - www.firstseasonracing.com0
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I'm watching at home on the TV. Live sport is great - but you've no idea of whats going on !
Lets hope the sun shines eh ?0 -
cougie wrote:I'm watching at home on the TV. Live sport is great - but you've no idea of whats going on !
Lets hope the sun shines eh ?
I'm hoping Rick finds a pub on the route that will show it on the big screen. Either that or that they have a big screen somewhere on the route (other than the finish area).0 -
cougie wrote:I'm watching at home on the TV. Live sport is great - but you've no idea of whats going on !
Lets hope the sun shines eh ?
Hence sitting in the pub en route. Sit in pub. Chat. Have race on in background. When you see the race is nearby, walk out of pub - cheer them on, walk back into pub, watch race & chat. Repeat when they make their way back to the mall.
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Yeah, the more people I can say are coming the likelier they'll be to show it on the big screen.
I'll ring around nearer the time.0 -
Had originally intended on going to Box Hill, but I think that will be nothing short of absolute chaos on the day.
Current plan is to head in to Richmond Park to see them out and back, and *hopefully* there will be some sort of big screen up so that we can see the finish.
I'd rather not go and see it in person and see the finish than vice versa
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Just registered for tickets through BC membership, they didn't even have Box Hill as an option, just The Mall. I'm taking that as all the Box Hill tickets having already gone to corporates and the like unfortunately - can't see why they wouldn't have included them as an option if there were any available.
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Around a swimming pool in Turkey0
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Rick Chasey wrote:
Get your lazy ass down the pub with me. We can argue about the Olympic RR being a chipper race and conclude that it probably is after a really boring race.
Looks like we've already done that.
I don't fancy crowds and all that stuff for something I ultimately don't give a toss about. I'm not anti olympics like some, but I'm just not bothered.Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.0 -
Crowds is ambitious.iainf72 wrote:Rick Chasey wrote:
Get your lazy ass down the pub with me. We can argue about the Olympic RR being a chipper race and conclude that it probably is after a really boring race.
Looks like we've already done that.
I don't fancy crowds and all that stuff for something I ultimately don't give a toss about. I'm not anti olympics like some, but I'm just not bothered.0 -
Rick Chasey wrote:cougie wrote:I'm watching at home on the TV. Live sport is great - but you've no idea of whats going on !
Lets hope the sun shines eh ?
Hence sitting in the pub en route. Sit in pub. Chat. Have race on in background. When you see the race is nearby, walk out of pub - cheer them on, walk back into pub, watch race & chat. Repeat when they make their way back to the mall.
I was gonna say in front of the TV, but assuming the weather is ok and its not a bitch to get across town (first day, should fine me thinks/hopes) then i'm there! 2secs of live racing might be worth it...0 -
Moomaloid wrote:Rick Chasey wrote:cougie wrote:I'm watching at home on the TV. Live sport is great - but you've no idea of whats going on !
Lets hope the sun shines eh ?
Hence sitting in the pub en route. Sit in pub. Chat. Have race on in background. When you see the race is nearby, walk out of pub - cheer them on, walk back into pub, watch race & chat. Repeat when they make their way back to the mall.
I was gonna say in front of the TV, but assuming the weather is ok and its not a ***** to get across town (first day, should fine me thinks/hopes) then i'm there! 2secs of live racing might be worth it...
Do. I'm not going to be sitting in a pub which won't show it!0 -
I think most will show it... isn't London supposed to be GRIPPED with Olympic fever by then? :P0
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wifes got tickets for the rowing in eton that day . so i might come down and watch it . did`nt fancy the rowing as it`s only heats. might be staying in farnham. so not too far to ride over .0
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Can't think of anywhere that will beat Richmond Park.
Picnic,
Beautiful open park (p!sses over any park in any city I can think of).
Massive video screen,
Blazing hot sunshine...
Ok, made last 2 up, but here's hoping...
From a viewing POV, once they enter the Park, they climb a long steady slope in almost completely open park-land with central London as a back-drop: this will prob give the longest uninterrupted view of the bunch (following the no-hope break of riders from Taiwan, Iran, France, etc). Plus, on the return leg, it's that bit closer to the finish (than Box Hill) to know if Brian Holm's "fat little brother" is going to make it back on for the sprint.
If weather's duff - or there's no big screen - there's the Star & Garter pub, and many others, in easy staggering distance.
Afterwards, more fabulous pubs on river and easy transport links (tube and fast overground to central London).0
