please empty your brain below
When I got home I had an email waiting for me asking my opinions of the event - so hopefully they will get feedback from those who attended.
I agree that whilst grateful for the map - it was hard to follow. There were a number of features that weren't marked.
I used the womens event to wander round to look at the course and decided where I would stand for the mens event.
For the Olympics as there will be only one race per day so I would advise people to get there early so they can orientate themselves especially as the crowds will be larger.
There is one section of the course, after Deane's Drop, that goes through the woods which you don't seem to be able to get access to - and I spent some time trying to find it!
It was difficult to get a view at the 'Leap of Faith' with the numbers of people trying to do so.
So perhaps the organisers could do a bigger and better map - with some pictures of the features , and descriptions of the so called viewing areas.

brian | 02.08.11 - 9:05 a.m. | #

"The poor lad in front of me waited stoically for 40 minutes just to buy a £1.90 bottle of water..."

So, by extrapolation of that sentence, you had two pork pies and sandwiches that you took along to test the security, and [some-unidentified-thing else that you bought there]?

Whatever happened to the low cholesterol diet? ;)

Blue Witch | Homepage | 02.08.11 - 9:39 a.m. | #

Looks very like the arrangements used in Greenwich Park a few weeks back - even down to the tents and food stalls. At the modern pentathlon test in Greenwich, ticketholders weren't allowed to leave during breaks in the event, forcing them into using the hog-roast stall, etc, and denying trade to local pubs.

darryl | Homepage | 02.08.11 - 2:22 p.m. | #

Surely during the real events, it'll be harder to get onto the course because there'll be advertising hoardings in the way?

martin | Homepage | 02.08.11 - 4:17 p.m. | #

Have you had a look yet at the training camps that different nations will be using? Hopefully there will be some public access to be able to see some of the teams in action. There is a list that is updated as agreements are signed.
http://www.london2012.com/documents/venue-documents/pre-games-training-camps-agreements.pdf

brian | 02.08.11 - 6:20 p.m. | #

Rest assured I didn't buy a stuffed baguette, I merely waited patiently alongside some friends who did. And my lunch cost considerably less than £6.80.

diamond geezer | Homepage | 02.08.11 - 7:37 p.m. | #

Great to read such a witty and well-written blog. I was there on Sunday but didn't get down to the track, so I appreciate your report; it filled in what I missed!

What a pity you didn't realise that The Salvation Army was providing more than a brass band! Had you made the diversion into the field where they were you would have found more things to entertain you. Importantly there was a refreshments trailer that didn't have 40-minute queues and prices that were quite reasonable. The public tearoom attached to the training centre was also open. Admittedly their prices aren't bargain basement but they are reasonable (and I would suggest very competitive in the circumstances)!

On top of that, Leigh Elim Church were handing out bottles of water. Free of charge. There was no queue either!

I was at the bus station end all day; read my blog at http://bit.ly/oLmJ4u and news report at http://bit.ly/TestEvent

Repiano | 04.08.11 - 10:51 p.m. | #

I saw the Sally Army Field, you couldn't miss it, but not an obvious way in. If you want more visitors at the fair next year, you need much better signs welcoming people in, otherwise they'll walk straight past. I reckon.

diamond geezer | Homepage | 05.08.11 - 12:01 a.m. | #

I totally agree with you. Although the land is owned by The Salvation Army, it is leased on to Essex County Council/LOCOG for the purpose of the Olympics. LOCOG put so many restrictions on the use of the land including what signs could be put up and where the entrance to the field would go (a gate off the walkway would have been good!) Yes, most of the people did walk straight past as a consequence! Maybe the brass bands put them off? LOL

Repiano | 05.08.11 - 10:06 a.m. | #

If you enjoyed this, here's a thought for something a bit out of the ordinary, that's coming up over the August bank holiday weekend.
It's nothing to do with the Olympics, but it is a sporting event with plenty of international flavour.
I'm referring to the Ken Hall International Trophy meeting, at Manor Farm, Langrish, Hampshire.
If you liked: not having to be frisked at the entrance; a friendly crowd; and being able to get right up close to the side of the track, you might just enjoy this, as well.
Think mountain bike racing... but with engines... and a lot faster :)
Go on... surprise yourself!
http://www.langrishmx.com/events.html



RogerW | 08.08.11 - 5:39 p.m. | #











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