Olympic Road Cycling Weekend

Saturday morning, the first day of the cycling road races.

Everyone had plenty to chat about as they took up a space along the Surrey roads, the only subject under discussion was the previous night’s sensational opening ceremony. The captivating performance was perfect in every sense, it balanced the quirky and whimsical side of Great Britain with the historical, and proved our overwhelming ability to excel in the creative arts. 

The plans for road closures had been well published, potholes were filled and hedges trimmed. The roundabouts were all given colourful floral additions, much to the surprise of some road users!

The support vehicles had all been cheered through and the wait was almost over. Then, a couple of seconds later, all the men had whisked past, although we did manage to snap a photo of our two Brits. 

                                          
Road closures bring about a very relaxed atmosphere, sauntering down the middle of a normally busy road, this felt more like a holiday village than a busy suburban town. 

                                            
Five hours later we were back to cheer these incredibly fit athletes as they headed back to London and the finishing line outside Buckingham Palace. 

Normally busy main roads were soon filled with eager supporters.

                                          

Mexican waves and cheering everything that moved fired a party spirit.  Dogs of every shape and size were out there (on leads this time), sensing this was an occasion not to be missed. The police were in party mode, having their photos taken, high fiving the crowd and making sure we were happy and safe. 

The cyclists swished past, looking every bit as fresh as they had 220 Km before, except for a few stragglers at the back who were given exceptionally loud cheers of encouragement.

Unfortunately, Sunday brought utterly dreadful weather but we all dressed up with waterproofs and brollies and made sure our support for the ladies was just as loud, although I’m not sure if they heard us over the violent thunderstorm which was raging overhead. 

By the time we had walked home we were delighted to catch the sight of beautiful Lizzie Armitstead, powering up the Mall to win her silver medal and the first medal for Great Britain in these Olympics. It must have been our thunderous cheering that helped her on her way!

Photo: PA

The Gloriana leaves Hampton Court with the Olympic Torch

Amazing, exciting, overwhelming, none of this describes the emotion I experienced with thousands of other people at 7am this morning.

The riverbank at Hampton Court is always a stunning place to be, but at 6am this morning the place was buzzing with people of all ages, shapes and colours, all stopping to take in the wonderful sight of the Queen’s row barge, The Gloriana, which was moored near to the bridge. 

The crowds gathered in every available spot, even venturing into the river in some places. The little girl next to me suddenly shouted "This is the best day of all!". The police divers moved into place before masses of rowing boats took up their positions under the bridge, ready to follow the Gloriana.  Even the geese had rehearsed a synchronised performance to entertain the crowd.

My new friend waiting next to me spotted James Cracknell walking behind us and he very politely stopped to allow a photo opportunity.

A text came through to say the Olympic Torch had reached the maze, the press helicopter was overhead and flags were waving and oars were raised to salute the arrival.  It took a while to do the tour of the gardens and through the Palace and finally, our wait was over. 

I woke up this morning, hardly able to believe the day had arrived, now we were about to experience the most beautiful sight of the The Gloriana taking to the water with the massive cauldron containing the Olympic flame.  The sun even managed to break through the drizzly sky at this moment, creating a magical light for this spectacle.

Following behind the magnificent barge, the little row boats joined the procession along with the police diving boats, RNLI and packed pleasure launches, it was a bit like a mini Jubilee Pageant with better weather.

The British are normally such reserved people and suddenly this Olympic Torch Relay has enabled us to share our excitement with strangers, and showing Britain at it's very best.  The cheering, the emotion, the excitement was uncontrollable.  We felt privileged to be part of this great event, I had no idea that you don't need to be a sports fan to feel the power the Olympics can generate in bringing the world together.

Boris was right Olympomania, is now at fever pitch.

Then an hour later, it was all over and felt a bit like a dream.

8.12am London will welcome the world!

The bells will ring out all over the country to mark the beginning of the day when Great Britain welcomes the Olympic family.

In the old days, before phones and internet, village bells and beacons were the main way of communicating important information across the land.  With a very special message to send across the land on Friday, Big Ben will lead the country in 3 minutes of bell ringing.

Everyone has been encouraged to ring a bell, whether it be a phone bell, cow bell, church bell or bicycle bell, just to join in the joyous celebration of the start of our Olympics.

Olympic Torch is welcomed in Kingston

On a perfect summer’s morning and you might wonder why the residents of this pretty market town are gathering on the streets at 8am. 

Families, dogs, and office workers quickening their pace as they head to vantage points across town, everyone smiling and with an air of eager anticipation.  Wonderful characters are playing to their audience.

Soon windows are thrown open and heads appear to catch a glimpse, the police take up their positions and suddenly someone spies a runner in grey rounding the corner, it is one of the Met Police security team, cheers ripple through the crowd, this is it, the Olympic Torch is on it’s way.

Every police motorcyclist, cycling paramedic and official gets a cheer and even this police car with their cuddly toy – Olympic mascot!

The warm-up vehicles appear with happy young people waving, cheering and handing out their promotional goodies. Complete strangers standing side by side want to share the moment, more of the runners of the police security team cycling past, beaming with smiles and announcing it is moments away!

The bright yellow media bus appears on the corner and there he is, dressed in a gleaming white and gold tracksuit with the Olympic Torch held high. A shiver of excitement was felt as the iconic flame passed by me, just a couple of inches away.  The torch bearer for this section, I’m sorry I can’t give a name to him, looked so proud, you could see his concentration, trying to take in every second of this historic moment. 

But it was all over so quickly, so I darted along the back of the crowds and across town whilst the Torch and the team took a route through the centre of the shopping centre.  Arriving just in time to run up to a footway across the one way system and see another Torch Bearer running down the hill and greeting the next person waiting to accept the ‘kiss’ from his torch.

This Torch Bearer just didn't want his moment to end

Everyone making their way back into the shopping centre

Off went the Olympic flame in the direction of Richmond upon Thames and Kingston upon Thames was left to enjoy a spectacular performance from the Seoul Cultural Centre.

Having started the day with a ride on the District Line Tube, then being carried from Hook by local boy and double Olympic rowing gold medallist James Cracknell, it has gone on to Kew Gardens and will finally end up in Walpole Park, Ealing at the end of today.

Photo:  London 2012

Photo: London 2012