OLYMPIC ROAD RACE and other things

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

COPY OF EMAIL SENT TO MEMBERS TODAY

Dear Agreeables

Firstly, apologies to anyone who has emailed me and is yet to receive a reply. I've had so many I thought I'd try to cover all the questions in this email.

All the wristbands are in the post and heading your way first class (no expense spared at ACC). Don't forget to wear them - you'll need them to get past security if (more like when) they close the Box Hill circuit because they deem it is full. You will also need it to gain access to the ACC plot at Headley Cricket Club.

Don't forget roads will be closed to cyclists and pedestrians approx one hour before the race is due to arrive at Box Hill i.e. they will be close at 10.40 latest. It could be earlier be warned!

My strong advice to you all is to get there early!! I'm aiming to be at the cricket club before 9.00am at the latest. Maybe I'm being unfair but I really don't think the organisers have any concept of just how many cycling fans are heading to Box Hill and its environs. It's going to be HUGE!! The race starts at 10.00 and we will have the BIG SCREEN up and running - be there for the off!

Headley CC is providing a BBQ and Bar (no, food and drinks are not included in the price of your tickets! bring some money!). You probably don't need me to say it but I will anyway, have some sense it could be a long day in the sun so check the weather forecast and come prepared. We don't have a marquee. We do have some tables and chairs. Portaloos are being provided by the cricket club.

Please wear ACC kit if possible - we're bound to be on the tele and I think it would be a fantastic sight as the helicopters clear the trees and a sea of gold comes into view. George is bringing our flags - let's put on a show!! (it will also help us to 'police' our area and keep the riff-raff out!).

Headley Cricket Club is on Headley Common Road just south of the junction with Church Lane (the post code is unhelpful and will not get you there - use a map not satnav). I really can't give advice on how to get there. There is plenty of info on the Surrey Council and Mole Valley websites. Betchworth and Tadworth are the nearest stations (BTW it's a long, steep climb from Betchworth to Headley). if you want to avoid the roads there is a bridle way that leads straight to the cricket club - it's marked on any good map!

The roads are closed from 4 am - the organisers say you can drop off people by car either end of Headley Common Road - but again as soon as it gets busy they will stop this so if you are planning to do this - DO IT EARLY!

I might have one or two tickets going spare - you will probably have to come to me to pay and collect (I live in Redhill). Let me know - firm commitment only, please)

It's going to be a fantastic day - I'm really excited - can't wait. See you there!

Secondly, we asked for volunteers to marshal the SSCU 100 on 5th August - disappointingly so far no on has come forward to offer their services. Come on folks - especially those of you that race - cycling relies on volunteers - we simply won't be able to put on events without your support - dig deep - give something back - you know in your hearts you should - go on, you know you want to! Do it!

and Thirdly, what a great ride to Brighton and back last weekend - absolutely glorious! Don't forget the next Captain's Coastal is a bit earlier than usual - 18th AUGUST. Put it in your diary.

anyway, there it is, it's a wonderful day and i need to get out there!

best wishes and happy cycling!

The Captain

[NeilAS]

In case you miss it, I've just PM'd you re: marshalling.

Neil

[Rob Q]

Dead jealous of those who are going to be there. Have fun and I have also spread the word to my Sydney cycling club to look out for the ACC yellow.

It would be good to create a "Tour de France" type banner to be captured from the air 'ACC' or all hold hands and do a moving circle type effect.

[Ian A4size]

A HUGE Huge thank you to everyone who was involved in organizing this today. I had a great time . It was good to meet up with lots of people and have time to chat in such a wonderful atmosphere.

So he didnt win, but my highlight of the day was seeing Joyce on a bike again

Only downer for me was the amount of rubbish left in our enclosure at the end of the day

thanks again to all who had input into today.

Joanna and Ian

Now what can we do for the tour of Britain stage in Reigate?

[Andrew G]

Yes a massive thank you to Rogan and those that helped him set today up. It was a fantastic day and great to chat to people I hadn't seen in ages. An amazing setup which I couldn't believe when we arrived.

A real shame for Cav as the GB boys worked so hard, with only 4 to work though it's such a task but they controlled it for so long. Negative tactics from other teams who wanted a sprint as well. Yes get GB to tire themselves out but if you don't help out then you aren't getting a medal shot either. Cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Oh and I came home with a very pink pair of pins.

[Dominic]

watched it on TV. Nice to see Addisombe 'encampment' on there.

Agree with Andrew about negative tactics, I actually thought team GB should have been saying with 100k to go 'help us or it is gone'' and it was!

What was Uran doing in the sprint?

[Amy]

Rode to Hampton Court and saw the race pass by there before heading to my parents for lunch and watch the Box Hill loops - was that Ajay down near the road, doing what looked like a native American war dance Had old Addiscombe kit on with a whitish floppy hat.

Sat looking out the bedroom window with my parents and watched the race go through Weston Green - when the breakaway went through well in advance of the peloton, I didn't think that was a good sign. Don't think I can face going back to my parents' tomorrow so plan to do something different for women's race.

[NickH]

and a further huge thank you to Jon, Rogan, George, Keith (and apologies to anyone I may have missed) from me and my clan. A fantastic occasion and easily the best organised and best represented club there.

[Paul H]

[quote="Andrew G"]
A real shame for Cav as the GB boys worked so hard, with only 4 to work though it's such a task but they controlled it for so long. Negative tactics from other teams who wanted a sprint as well. Yes get GB to tire themselves out but if you don't help out then you aren't getting a medal shot either. Cutting off your nose to spite your face.

[Del]

And thanks from me as well to Rogan, George, Keith and Jon for a great day out.

My daughter and partner, plus a father and his 2 sons from the Czech republic joined Andy and I as guests, and all had a great time.

TV and stand were great efforts, alongside the great atmosphere, beer and food.

[Phil H]

Rogan: it's about attention to detail. You managed to sort a fantastic spot with a grandstand/climbing frame, a TV and great weather but you forgot about sorting out the race result.

Maybe tomorrow...

[joyce]

Thanks to every one involved in the organising of a super day out at Headley.It was great to meet so many members I hadn't seem for a long time. An extra big thankyou for the offers to get me up to see the road race.I had my arm finally twisted up my back by Rogan and George took me
up on the back of the tamdem . Thanks George, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and to-day I'm still thinking about what a great day I had.Thank you all for my wonderful day out.
joyce

[Rogan]

What a fabulous weekend of road racing! A big thanks for all your input: Jon (that Decking area was a great idea) - Keith and George. Scaffold grandstand worked a treat (as suggested by Ant )

I must also thank all of you who rose to the challenge of keeping our pitch free of non ticket holders. We knew that a large TV screen would cause a stir but we could start a whole new thread on "Try-on's to get into the ACC plot!" I think Andrew G politely fended off the most determined punter, Monty's Son (forgot your name - sorry) did a long shift as the riders passed for the first few laps and thanks Nick for keeping the roadside crowds from wading in. You were all great!

That said, it was a great day for several thousand cycling fans who were able to view our TV throughout the race and our pitch would have been good for club promotion.

HCC did a great job for a small Cricket Club and were well organised. Andrew Pickering (HCC club Chairman) worked hard to ensure we all had a great day. They heard that 20,000 people were in their area for the men's race.

It was also fabulous to have our president Joyce there. Good on you George.

Would love to see some photos as I didn't take any all day...

[Andrew G]

Your name's not down you're not coming in . He was a right cheeky so-and-so, your standard (these days) wants, and thinks entitled to, something for nothing.

HCC did a fantastic job, serving thousands of people with food and drink all day with a cheery face and even apologising because there was a queue. They'll have made a lot of money but deserve every penny of it.

A sample of the day -> [url=http://s115.photobucket.com/albums/n315/andrewgreen23/Olympic%20Road%20Race/?albumview=slideshow]4 shot slideshow[/url]

[Ian A4size]

nice photos

i loved that "jack in the box"van.