As Lizzie sped away with the breakaway group. Please see blog entry 68 for more info on Road Racing. When it was clear that the peloton was further away, it became a cat and mouse sprint to the finish. However, the dutch lady just had too much power and Lizzie settled for silver. That was the first London 2012 Olympic Medal for Team GB. I was part of it.
Sunday, the public transport was even worse, road closure and lack of public transport meant it was a 2 hour journey to get to my venue. (spent 1 hour waiting) It was the women’s moment to shine. Women’s road race was not as well publicised as the men’s even though the defending Olympic champion was British. The relative difference between the men’s (250km) and women’s (140km) does not help. Is there this much difference between the performance?
Day 2 afternoon, Team GB still had a big bagel in the medal’s table. Nothing suggested that this group of Team GB athletes will later become the most successful from these islands in “modern times”. The first Olympics in London where Team GB dominated did not really count since only they participated. It was easier to get the medals when one can be in both first and last place at the same time.
Day 1 of the London 2012 Olympics, my first event was the Men’s Road Race. The brief for my Gamesmaker role was pretty brief. I had to make sure the spectators enjoyed the race safely. This was one of the few venues where a spectator could actually stand in the field of play (FOP). My role as a FOP marshall was to inform the spectators how the sequence of events to make sure they are ready for to enjoy the race. It was a learning experience for me, I did not know Road Cycling. As I spoke to the Belgian supporters had an analogue radio which I thought was really smart. The games maker in some sectors had to wait for 3 hours for the cyclists to pass in 10 seconds. Luckily I was in the Box Hill section where the mens’ do eight laps. This meant that I was lucky to watch the race unfold.
The sun was shining and picnics were everywhere. The atmosphere was incredible, with the majority of spectators were very knowledgeable in the sport. I had to learn everything about, please read entry 68 for a beginner’s guide to watch road cycling. It was more than just riding a bicycle. The strategies, teamwork, riders, course characteristics and weather conditions, all played a part in how the race unfolded. This was the first of Team GB’s medal hope.
It was a great demonstration of Team GB talent, the 2012 Tour de France winner, three 2012 Stage winners and the world’s greatest road race sprinter and a strategy that worked in the practice event a year ago. The plan was to ride hard for 5 hours and deliver “Cav” to sprint for the win in end! It was all good except the plan was well advertised for the last 12 months. Hence everyone knew what to do to have a chance to beat them. Unfortunately for Team GB, they did.
I had to do some studying in order to make the most of the Gamesmaking experience. I was in the cycling team. Hence I really should learn about the various disciplines so I could at least appear to be knowledgeable.
Why should you watch Road Race Cycling?
A typical road race is about 5 hours long with the results decided in a sprint at the last 500m. It is a team game therefore strategies play a big part in deciding the outcome. A sprinter is normally carried by the team within the peloton, which is the main group of cyclist. Various individuals with race winning ambition would try and form a break away group. Huge amount of energy are expended in forming the break away. The job of the peloton would be to chase down those breakaways. A bit likened to a shark chasing small fishes. Once the peloton catches the breakaway, those who tried to breakaway are less ‘fresh’ than those who are carried by the peloton. The winner is the first one cross the finishing line.
Why should you watch Time Trial?
Time Trial is an individual sport. It was a lap versus rider. Here the lap layout and endurance of the rider would affect the results. A hilly course would benefit a smaller lighter rider, whereas a flatter would circuit could benefit an individual with a higher top speed. Local knowledge of the course would also benefit to know when to push and recover. The conditions of the track could change as the race progresses as each rider start 90 seconds interval from each other. The first rider could have different conditions to the last rider. However, the start list are ranked therefore riders of similar abilities will start around the same time. The winner is one who post the quickest lap time.
Now moving into the Velodrome.
Why should you watch Sprint?
Sprint is a 1 on 1 race over 3 laps of the track. An Olympian can typically sprint at max speed for 500m. The length of the sprint is 750m. A highly tactical duel which the two riders are playing cat and mouse. Therefore the first lap is often very slow and if the sprint starts too early may mean the leading rider runs out of power and going too late may give opportunity of the latter rider to jump the start.
Why should you watch Team Sprint
Each country enters 3 riders. The two countries start on either side of the track. Each rider takes their turn to lead for one lap. Bike 1 (first bike) has an important role in reaching max speed as soon as possible with the others drafting (following behind) to conserve power for their respective turns to lead. The changeover at the banked turns are critical to maintain speed and positioning. The fastest time wins.
Why should you watch Team Pursuit
Each team has 4 riders. The teams start on either side of the track and chase each other over 4km (men’s) or 3km (women’s). The winner is the one that closes the gap or the first team to the finish line. Bike 1 has the important job of powering the group to max speed and the others to maintain the speed. This race is about teamwork so smooth interchange at the banked turns are critical to distribute the work at the front among the team members.
Why should you watch Keirin?
The riders start behind a pace setting motorised bike (derny) where they cannot overtake the derny. This provides a rolling start race format. The derny bike slowly increase the pace and withdraws with a lap and half left. The race becomes a sprint to the finish. Therefore racing and positioning are key features of this discipline.
Why should you watch Omnium?
This is a 6 discipline event which tests every aspect of a rider. The rider with the best balance between power, endurance and tactics will win. The six discipline is a 1 flying lap (fastest time over 1 lap), 2 points race which is some complicated system where points as scored for sprints every 10 laps and for lapping the field (most points is the winner). (mens do about 120 laps), 3 An elimination race with a sprint every 2 laps and the last rider is eliminated, 4 individual pursuit, 5 Scratch race which the first rider cross the line wins and 6 Time trial over 4 laps. The ranking provides the points. 1st = 1 point, 2nd = 2 points etc. The rider with the least amount of point wins!
I remembered that day I was standing in a careers fair, flogging leaflets and information about joining the company I worked for. My Blackberry alerted me to an email from someone named “Noreply”. A strangely common name that every company seemed to have an employee with that name. A little more than 8 months ago I had that interview. It was an email that I had to read twice, then thrice and then whatever word means four times. Unbelievably, I will be a GamesMaker for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
Cycling Team FOP, I had no idea what I will be doing. After a lengthy investigation revealed that FOP actually stood for “Field Of Play”. I still had no idea what I will be doing. Everything was irrelevant because I will be a GamesMaker. The next summer, I will be in the Olympics!!
The interview process was actually really short. The whole day was over in about an hour. I drank my tea and kept calm.
First, there was an introductory video. Eddie Izzard explained what London 2012 was looking for in a volunteer. The message was “Be yourself” and eat Cadbury’s chocolate. The interview soon followed.
The one to one interview started where my application left off, not very well (see blog entry 60). As I explained that I enjoyed a wide range of sports but probably am below average in most of them. Luckily, my preparation was actually quite thorough. When she asked “Have you participated in any team sport?”, I was about to answer “Yes, Honda Formula 1 Racing Team.” Apparently F1 is as a sport. I explained how the winning margins in track cycling are similar to F1. I was actually well prepared in this part of the interview, phew. Then the interview moved on to volunteering.
“In volunteering, I go really far.” Fittingly, I travelled quite far to the Himalayas and I spent 3 months volunteering in Nepal. I learnt a lot about myself and another culture. Trekking became one of my passions in life. One would argue that a person who ascended 1900m in less than 2 days from 3500m to 5416m might lack the “common sense” that they were looking for. I reminded her that for every spontaneous, probably irrational decision, it was always followed by a logical one which took me home safely. Luckily, I created a website which recorded my time in Nepal. There was a plan.
In Nepal, I learnt that to achieve anything that is worthwhile, an unbelievable amount of effort is always required. I designed a few science experiments. Everything had to work. I made sure all the apparatus were robust. The experiments and theory supplemented the curriculum. I tried to teach the teachers how take a backseat and let the kids learn by themselves. I typed experiment reports for each one using a businessman’s office with it’s own power generator. I reiterated to the Headmaster the importance of maintaining each improvement initiatives to secure further future improvements. Once all the efforts were made, only then luck would step in.
The game plan for this interview was to convey the message about my reliability; “I am very reliable.” Luckily everything came together at the right time. Perhaps, the combination of F1 “Team sport”, the volunteering and the website meant that I passed the interview.
It was the GamesMaker interview day. I sat down with a cup of tea and prepared myself for the interview ahead. It was not like any other interview. Hindsight I just had to remember seven months ago I applied.
Time was about 2pm and having just woke up, I sat on the sofa in my brother’s living room in my pyjamas waiting for my job to start in approximately 60 days, give or take 5 days. Boredom would be excitement at that time. It was a long wait from end of July till October. I was unable to apply for any more jobs because firstly I probably applied to every single one out there already and secondly I already accepted a job. Coincidently, it was my first application. My body and wallet was physically and financially exhausted respectively from my adventures in Nepal (check out the first 25 entries of this blog, something I wrote earlier). Once I published my website within that period of time. There was really nothing to do. Luckily, one of my friend suggested me to apply for a volunteer role in London 2012 Olympics Games.
I loaded up the application page. The first ‘hurdle’ was to pick which sport to work in and the dropdown list revealed that I was not very good at sports. Archery… Nope. Athletics… Nope. Badminton… Nope. Basketball… Nope. Eventually I settled on cycling which was actually the last sport that I did around that year. I took advantage of my high altitude acclimatised body from the trek in Annapurna (5416m) and zoomed around the lake. Oxygen is amazing. Traditionally, Team GB are great at sports which required a lot of sitting down. I like sitting down too. Rowing, sailing, horse riding and cycling. It would make a great atmosphere with some home wins. So I liked cycling if anyone asked.
Then the next section, “Do you have any first aid skills?” Nope. “Do you have any clinical skills?”. Nope. “Do you have any experience in major international events?”. Nope. A few more questions and a few nopes. There were a couple of yay’s but otherwise it was a short application.
In hindsight, how did I get that interview?
Oh yeah, I applied. I felt lucky that day and ready for the interview.
Iceland was beautiful. Fortunately for me, I only saw a tiny portion of it therefore I will have to return in the future. My addiction to travelling became stronger than ever. If I saw the whole of Iceland, I might not return and it would be a complete travel overdose. I am so excited about the places in Iceland I will visit in the future.
Here are a couple of other entries in my journal.
Travelling gave me a free-spirit mentality. A free spirit mentality was so important in a place like Iceland to make the most of the time there. Personally because I don’t really drink, I am often recipients of drinks. Fully aware of my negative drink karma stacked against me (Karma should not be messed with), the equilibrium could be restored by offering a round of drinks for the fellow travellers. Hopefully, they will redistribute their drinks karma on their travels eventually world order can be restored. The free spirit mentality gave me possibly, just possibly a free beer in Israel. One could say that would be a long way to get a “possibly” free beer and I would agree with that statement too. Would it be worth it? How long is a piece of string? What is inside the box? I would just have to find it out.
I noticed that a lot of gear I carried was never used. The first aid kit. It was a good idea at the time of packing two years ago. But was I jinxing myself that I might need it? How useful would that first aid kit be? I thought about all the injuries I could deal with. The ones that my First Aid kit that couldn’t would probably be a bit painful. Therefore the kit is now replaced by a bottle of whisky. Whatever injury sustained, it will make it or myself feel better. This would also support my free-spirit philosophy as described above.
The other piece of kit that never see much action were my Tibetan Peace Flags. It was blessed by a dude and some other dudes. It had been in my backpack ever since the trek in Annapurna, Nepal. I might have lost some braincells to high altitude sickness but everything seems to be alright now. I might have lost my religion but I gained faith. Keep faith and travel safe. That has to stay in my bag.
Next move. Already made for the London 2012 Olympic Games. Chess is about being a few moves ahead which I think I am. But I am not sure ahead of what.
The Blue Lagoon is a really popular tourist destination. It was a thermal bath about 30 km away from the international airport in Keflavik. It was a huge thermal pool with various beauty services which for obvious reasons did not interest me. Therefore it was a bit commercialised and pricy. It differed to the one in Myvatn by mixing seawater with hot thermal water from the geothermal powerplant. The Myvatn Nature Baths were egg smelling volcanic hot water. The smell was possibly straight from the butt-hole of the Earth. Personally, I preferred the one in Myvatn simply for the budget left for beer. The Blue Lagoon can let you charge to a “tab”. Story about these tabs were never going to end well.
There are probably cheaper ways to enjoy a cool continental lager (undisclosed fee). The experience to sip beer while in what was basically a giant volcanic hot tub before noon was worth it. This “holiday” was potentially overdone by 4 flights and 4 days of driving all within 1 week and in less than 24 hours I will be back to the office. That was a sobering thought. I was “chilled”. Like Iceland was really cool and I felt relaxed and so on. At the airport, I bought the biggest pack of liquorice I could afford with the remaining cash. Liquorice was apparently a Scandinavia thing. The Hong Kong part of me never understood liquorice, but my colleagues did.
I always think art is a form of communication expressed differently by individuals, through finely cross sectioned cow, or music, or even food. That message communicated would provoke a reaction. Still exhausted from the lack of sleep, I decided to explore the Reykjavik art scene instead of any more hikes/treks (so 2010 for me). The major art galleries were located within 3 different locations all over the city, providing great value for a fiver.
There was a photography exhibition which displayed mostly portraits. My camera was mostly used to capture scenery. Personally, I don’t think I am that photogenic and the fact that I don’t have the right lens for the job as well. My lens was one which was basically an all-rounder lens but perhaps more accurately is actually not very good for anything lens. It did show that I could do more portraits in the future.
The first exhibition had modern art which combined comic superheroes and history. Perhaps to link imagination to reality. There were other random installations with sheep (not real ones) which I guessed was a significant animal in Iceland due to the sheer numbers.
The second gallery was a painting gallery. The paintings were inspired by the Myvatn Lake area. Coincidently the area where I spent my last 3 days. The mix of colours and texture of the painting reminded me of the rocks, lakes and barren lands. “I been there.” That was the reaction the painting provoked. The scene was exactly like that!
The final gallery was in honour of a famous sculptor. The building was his studio which he built himself. The various stages of his life was kind of reflected in his building and the sculptures within. The influence of astronomy was interesting on some of his metalwork. However, the other sculptures were where the communication broke down. It was a bit too alternative for me.
Another great thing about travelling was talking to the locals. These were opportunities to find out about stuff that are not in travel guides. It was by talking to the museum assistant that I found the most amazing swimming pool that I have ever been in the my life. For me Hofsos was not just another town in Iceland.
The local knowledge not only helped to make the most of the opportunities around. Perhaps more importantly (certainly for me) local knowledge would also improve the safety aspects of the trip. Since I now “plan” professionally, i.e. a company pays me actual money to do it, every detail of my trip was a little bit too predictable. I knew exactly where the location of every nearby petrol station was, the range left in the car at any point, the driving duration from each destination, the amount of food and water available, my energy level but the one critical thing was the road conditions. Somethings only the local knowledge would be up-to-date on. The swimming pool life guard gave me further information of which route was safer to take and general advisory notes on the next destinations.
The swimming pool in Hofsos provided me another topic in conversation making with the locals. It was actually a really well known swimming pool within Iceland. I learnt more background knowledge about the swimming pool, which was fascinating. I would write it here but you could go there and find out for yourself.
Not all local advice are good. For example, the tourist guide recommended a visit to the Penis Museum which was the only one in the world. I might not be in Reykjavik in the near future. I might had 2 hours to burn. Somehow a visit to the largest collection of (both in variety and sizes) of animal pricks in the world did not sound too appealing before dinner or any other meals for that matter.
Adventures of Delboy 