Just wondered how the course actually looked with a proper race on it. Was it appropriately challenging? and how was it for spectators?
No but it was probably rubbish, that course is a boring motorway blah blah blah blah..
To me it looked proper tough for the riders and great for the spectators.
I read the cyclingnews report that said that Absalon took all the fastest rock garden routes. Did anybody not take the fastest? By which I'm kinda asking in a roundabout sort of way were the fastest routes through the technical bits tough enough?
Did anybody not take the fastest? By which I'm kinda asking in a roundabout sort of way were the fastest routes through the technical bits tough enough?
?
These are people paid to ride bikes and to ride bikes fast, someone like Absalon has bike skills a tad above the average trail centre junkie.
11 minute lap. Perhaps Sven Nys went cos he thought it was a 'cross race.
These are people paid to ride bikes and to ride bikes fast, someone like Absalon has bike skills a tad above the average trail centre junkie.
That's why I posed the question. The course is designed for olympians, unsurprisingly the winner took the most technical and fastest routes but if the entire field took the same routes then it would suggest that these sections should have been made a little harder either that or just not bothered with multiple difficulty options.
If it were a perfect course you would expect only the most technically adept rides would take the most technical route whereas others would opt for a easier but slightly longer path. So a less technically skilled rider would perhaps lose a little time through the technical sections which they would have to claw back on another part of the course.
If I've misunderstood the course remit and it's meant that the most technical route is for the olympics whereas the easier routes are for the local scout group to use post Olympics then I apologise for wasting everyones time.
Some riders did take the B lines but the thing is that most of the riders are very technically adept and short of obstacles that wouldn't be out of place on a DH track (and probably not even then), they're going to make it look easy.
From the amount of blood on some of the rocks after practice on Saturday its clear that it isn't your average trail.
Yes, I went. and from the inside of the tapes too.
I can assure you it is far from an easy motorway blast, there's not one section (other than the feed areas) that is flat, it's either up or down, it's very physical and although the rock sections are not 'that' hard too ride, when you're bouncing on the rev limiter and can't see straight I can assure you they become a challenge. The rock section are also pretty unforgiving of mistakes, come off your line even slightly and your bike is bouncing down the rock gardens without you. I wasn't overly taken by it in practice as it was very loose due to being unridden, but it raced very well.
Absalon rode all the A lines, as did a lot of the other rides, the big drop at the start had a chainring/rock interface if you rode it so was pretty steep looking. Olympic XC racing isn't however about c*ck swinging about who is the most rad down the rocks etc, it's about being the quickest from A-B, A being the start, B being the finish. the A lines were all rideable but came at a risk to equipment, bend a chainring riding a drop at the start and your race is over, better to go down the safe B line? Crash because someone else is in front of you on the A line and you can't see where you're going? probably best to have taken the B line?
The 12 minute lap is designed for TV coverage as that is one of the stipulations for the IOC. however, the course does not suffer for it. It felt much longer than 12 mins I can assure you! The area is a like a natural amphitheatre and standing in one place with binoculars would give you nearly a 100% view of the course.
The event ran well and the 5000 spectators all seemed to have a good day out so the 20,000 on real race day would be amazing to ride in front of.
Thanks chaps. Sounds like it should be something to look forward to. Shame I'll only see it on the telly as the ticket allocation didn't come through, but that's another story altogether.
I went along and thought it was pretty good.
They have used the layout to great effect and really good for spectators.
As for the course itself lots of up and downs with some tricky enough sections. Saw at least one over the bars with someone taking the "technical" route.
The main man
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/cakeriders/sets/72157627200086551/ ]More pics[/url]
anyone in any doubt as to whether this course is too easy should have seen the bike I did on saturday - chainstays snapped at the bottom bracket shell... A lot of comments from the riders mirrored what a lot of us have been saying, for a long time - its a hard course, not one id like to race on personally.
Just sad now that I couldnt get tickets for next year...
As a spectators course I think the build team have done a great job. You can see a large percentage of the track without having to trek around it and that is surely the point of an Olympic event. From a riders point of view it is quite tough with some real nasty uphills. The grassy climb before the bermed downhill leading to the feed zone for the second time looks particularly lung busting. Certainly the looks on the faces of some of the riders made it look painful.
I was surprised by the quality of the venue, especially after the negative comments from folk on forums. I think the actual Olympic event will be quite a spectacle.
Yes I was there and thought it was REALLY GOOD.
from most places you can see over HALF the course great for watching,
Think it's the only XC race I been to that I seen riders getting more air than a Avg DH rider on a DH run!
And as for the course, it was hard and looked hard, the riders I chatted too said it was hard, no resting places, they had to pratice there lines before they where 100% happy with them, so come the race they did make them look easy. sign of a good course I think, having to pratcice you lines etc.
Most Men where taking A lines but not all same goes with the woman.
But at differnt speed so the good riders still gained time.
I know that a lest 2 FRAMES was broken in the practice days pluss other parts, also saw a few riders that have been patched up by first aiders.
But saying all that you going to get some one saying it to easy, not hard enough.
I also have been to events that did both XC and DH and have the DH guys say the XC course looks more technical than the DH and how do we do it with 100mm travel and no full face, body armer etc.
I was also there for the full three days, everyone I spoke to enjoyed the event (racers, XC & MTB fans and curious locals) None of the pictures do justice to the technical sections, proper scarey.
check out the pictures on the following sites:
[url= http://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/locog?nav=pr154611106 ]London Prepares Official Pictures [/url]
[url= http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/mtb/article/mtb20110731-MTB-Olympic-Test-Event-0 ]BC[/url]
[url= http://www.xcracer.com/Hadleigh-Farm-Mountain-Bike-International.html ]XCRACER[/url]
Can't wait for this now 😀
This looks tough enough for my liking full stop, let alone as Blazin-saddles says (and knows!) riding it on the rivet, repeatedly, with other riders right up your chuff! Sure all the trail centre warriors will be along in a second to say how easy it in and their blind 4 year old rode it on a balance bike, despite his one remaining arm being broken 🙄
The rock section are also pretty unforgiving of mistakes, come off your line even slightly and your bike is bouncing down the rock gardens without you
Hopefully not experience speaking, looking at the results?
anyone know if there will be any chance of getting tickets if you didnt get them in the ballot..?!?!
anyone know if there will be any chance of getting tickets if you didnt get them in the ballot..?!?!
I don't believe there is although we could start building a tunnel.
I've got some, shall we start the bidding at... £5000!? 🙂
I am interested to know who Blazin-Saddles is now. I spoke to (and worked on bikes of) a couple of UK riders so I wonder if he was one of them. Here I am in action...
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anyone know if there will be any chance of getting tickets if you didnt get them in the ballot..?!?!
From Olympic website:
Ticket resaleIf you are no longer able to use the tickets you have been allocated, you will have the opportunity to resell your tickets at face value through the official London 2012 ticket resale programme in 2012. This will be the only authorised way to sell any tickets you are unable to use or buy tickets from people offering tickets for resale. Further details will be announced in early 2012.
Tickets are strictly non-transferable and must not be sold or advertised for sale on the internet, in newspapers or anywhere else other than via the official London 2012 ticket resale programme. Please read Terms and conditions of ticket purchase for full details about the transfer, resale and use of tickets.
Please be wary of tickets being sold by unauthorised websites. Read more about how to stay safe online
so fingers crossed some of the 40 thousand ticket holders change their mind or inadvertantly book a holiday.
thanks for that - Ill cross fingers and hope im lucky..
Is there any hope in hell I'd get a resale ticket even though I didn't apply the first time around?
Yes, I was there too in a vaguely official position which got me access to "off-limits" areas.
As Blazin and njee (and everyone else who actually knows about XC RACING) says, it's a very tough course, there's not one second where you can sit up and relax. Short power climbs, one long slog up the back, short punchy technical descents, flat out blasts, it's got it all. Lap times are quick for TV and spectators and from a spectator point of view it's great, you can see about 2/3rds of the course from a lot of vantage points. The course changed significantly throughout the race, roughing up as lines developed and the technical sections, when ridden at that speed, were incredibly challenging.
Interesting mix of FS and HT, 29er and 26er although most riders were running 2x10 (Absalon rode 1x10). Riding 7 laps of that course, at full on race pace, is a lesson in technical perfection. I doubt any of the trail centre warriors who were posting such derogatory comments about it could do 2 laps in the time that Absalon did 7 - there were plenty of World class XCers there suffering big time with a combination of the terrain, the speed and the hot weather. Quite a few pinch flats on the technical bits too - no good being fast and fit if you slam your wheel into the first rock and lose 3 minutes!
Also worth bearing in mind that more riders may be opting for the a-lines earlier in the race than are prepared to later as they all start to tire...
an obstacle that you figure you have a 99% chance with when you're fresh and running smooth may become a 75%er as you start to tire and then a 50%er when you're running on fumes - but taking that chance may still be worthwhile if you're in fourth place, which adds to thrills for the audience!
Well, roll on a chance to miss out on getting any returned tickets, at least they'll be another chance to live in hope...
Slightly off-topic but I was amused/encouraged to see at the weekend a "Welcome to Essex" road sign on completely the other side of the county had had the addition of "Home of the 2012 Olympic Mountain Biking" added to it. No idea how widespread the signs are but it gives me added hope that they won't just be able to forget about the course after the event and that there will be some kind of legacy.
But have all the tickets been allocated? Maybe it is just the UK's share and other agents around have some? Thomas Cook may be worth looking at.
was a great weekend, and despite the chat before hand it certainly isnt flat, one of the GB team managed to snap the rear swing arm on his S-works during training, Hodge make it all the interesting this mans knowledge of the Acme thunder is second to none lol 😉
some nice pics from the gruaniads sports page:
[url] http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/gallery/2011/aug/01/london-2012-olympic-games-mountain-biking [/url]
I was there for the weekend as a Field of Play Team Member and found myself with Irish_AL in Team 9, under the command of a most enthusiastic and knowledgeable team leader, especially on communication, life saving techniques and many other topics.
The whistle issued was ‘The Acme Thunderer ’in my considered opinion the XTR of whistles and faultless in operation.
I became comfortable wearing a pink bib and might even consider adding a few pink items to my wardrobe. Even the mountain bike pin badge is pink!
The course was up or down with big lumpy rocky droppy bits, grassy climbs and loose surfaces. I even saw the men’s winner almost loose the front wheel just before a short rock climb, not everyone made this climb. Tough course respect to the riders, quite a few wounded riders too.
To me there seemed to be no difference in Full Sus, Hard Tail, 26 or 29 inch.
The women riders seemed more relaxed up for a chat and were happy to discuss lines etc. The men and their coaches were the opposite, especially the coaches rather rude at times I thought.
The tea provided for the workforce, was absolutely awful.
The enthusiasm of the staff was unbelievable which was catching, I found myself being rather emotional over the weekend. Partially when remembering the event of winning the Olympic bid.
I enjoyed the experience and would like to thanks to all those who made it possible, especially Irish_AL.
Love from marshal point 75 and 76.
British Cycling site now has several videos of the weekends action!
Hodge my good friend it was 'emotional' although I may add you should really have pointed out that our glorious leader was a cross between Ned Flanders and Londons answer to Alan Partridge.
I also seem to have a photo of you taking a photo of me whilst taking a photo of you...which of course has 'NOT' ended up on social networking sites 😉 lol
Hodge my good friend it was 'emotional' although I may add you should really have pointed out that our glorious leader was a cross between Ned Flanders and Londons answer to Alan Partridge.
I also seem to have a photo of you taking a photo of me whilst taking a photo of you...which of course has 'NOT' ended up on social networking sites 😉 lol
I was particularly impressed with Hodge's attempts to score with the Swedish rider although I dont think her coach was to impressed with the chit chat lol
Ah the ladies! Mexico seemed to have the most fun, finished the race and did the short steep rocky climb every time. After her race she came round to watch the men’s event and we had a nice chat. She said the reason for enjoying herself during event was because she couldn’t qualify for the Olympics as Mexico didn’t have enough points to be considered. So therefore she could relax and really enjoy the event. A very nice and polite young women, Mexico should be proud of her.
After the public invasion of the independent territories of marshal points 75 to 76 and the refusal of the neighbouring team to secure their borders. It was rather amusing to see the team leader running from hill top to hill top offering assistance, after the radio call for aid and security was made.
Lets not forget the lady motor bike trials rider hmmm nice skills!
"Lets not forget the lady motor bike trials rider hmmm nice skills!"
I think her name is Donna and she ranked #3 in the UK, she got the UK champs and world champs coming up in the next 3/4 weeks.
So good luck to her.
Also I am not going to mention she rode the "gap jump" a lot better than the male trail rider.....
Oh and for real geeky/spotter points they both worked as the course lead and tail riders at the Dalby World cups.
Mister P, the rider of that bike you working on is from Torq Fittness, was the rider Welsh ro English?
He very well could have been Welsh 😳
This is why I am a bike mechanic and not in international relations.
There's 2/3 chance he was Welsh, so it's a pretty safe assumption 🙂
I was there with a red back of house pass (I was in the venue control centre). The Mexican lot were that friendliest bunch I've come across in a long time. Most pleasing. Didn't see much of the action but *did* see some hideously sunburned spectators.
One guy had a rear brake bleed and I also did a front mech and chainring swap. TBH I remember bikes much better than names and faces.
The Austrailian team were pretty friendly too. I worked on a couple of their bikes. The young lady who I replaced brake pads and chain for was lovely.
I like that people turned up to the Olympic test event [i]needing[/i] new pads and a chain!
If you knew someone was going to fix your bike for you wouldn't you turn up and just hand it over Nick?
anyone know if there will be any chance of getting tickets if you didnt get them in the ballot..?!?!
I applied too, was it a "Ballot" a Lucky dip or a fix though?
Most people I speak to who applied for tickets didn't get anything, one fella at work reconed he'd bid top end for seveal events for the whole family and was potentially £1300 down if they all came through, he got chuff all...
Are they running similar Test Events on the BMX track does anyone know?
I wouldn't moind a day trip to Laaandan to spectate at one of those...
Also if you been traveling from race to race, staying in places only a few days at time finding a shop that stock the new XTR pads etc is going to be hard, so you might as well get it done at a race by a pro! 😀
[url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cycling/14360722.stm ]some coverage[/url]
Wow - people being positive about something on STW and its about the Olympics! 😀
Really wish I had applied for tickets for this now. Oh well, will see it on the telly I guess. Hopefully get a chance to have a go on it at some point.
Most people I speak to who applied for tickets didn't get anything, one fella at work reconed he'd bid top end for seveal events for the whole family and was potentially £1300 down if they all came through, he got chuff all...
Wife applied for tickets to both mens and womens XC and got both. wonder if she got them because she didn't look "greedy" if you know what I mean, plus they probably weren't the most sought after ticket.
Are they running similar Test Events on the BMX track does anyone know?
I wouldn't moind a day trip to Laaandan to spectate at one of those...
Yep details here: [url= http://www.londonpreparesseries.com/bmx ]London prepares BMX[/url]
I applied too, was it a "Ballot" a Lucky dip or a fix though?
What's the difference between a lucky dip and a ballot?
I applied for, and got, mens tickets, and the Womens didn't sell out in the first tranche. Surprised how few people did get tickets though I must say.
[i]Also if you been traveling from race to race, staying in places only a few days at time finding a shop that stock the new XTR pads etc is going to be hard, so you might as well get it done at a race by a pro! [/i]
Exactly. This is why after the women's race I put a new brake lever on Georgia Gould's bike as she was flying off with it somewhere else the next morning.
Hope you charged full retail 🙂
Do you get a big box of spares to use at the event?
Quite a large box yes. It looks like this -
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How does it work for the athletes then?
Names on a list, anyone using Shimano, anyone racing?
I beleive that its neutral support, so any of the athletes competing can use it. Mister P will be able to confirm for certain though.
But it is in the team pits so Joe Public won't get a chance to get near it.
Great, always said it would be a great venue
missed the test event but have got tickets for
the Olympics. (smug)
Got tickets for the Ladies race on the Saturday - can't wait..
Can spectators get close to the course to take photos?
Look at the photos - there's spectators everywhere 🙂
Strangely the pits are a bit of a spectator magnet. Probably the most boring part of the track, no-one falls off in the pits.
cool, all I need now is for Nikon to bring out the D4 before the Olympics 🙂
The course looks ace after seeing those pics.
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Really wouldn't fancy hitting that on a skinny tyred XC race machine to be fair
Can spectators get close to the course to take photos?
Spectators can access the whole course. The double taping of the course is just to stop them wandering around the track (there are official marshalled Crossing Points to get around) but you can literally stand inches away from the riders as they pass at almost all points of the course. Really good atmosphere with thousands of people there - it should be mental when there's 20000 spectators! 🙂
More importantly, how do I get a Photographer pass for the event?
mister P you need anyone to hold a spanner say er... next august at all...?!