Cycle Challenge supporting our Olympians

London Olympics Route Recon

With the London Olympics Opening ceremony only 11 days away, there was no better way to get into the Olympic Spirit, than a quick trip to London to do a route recon.

After taking two days off post Giro; my husband Carl, Robyn de Groot, Jo Van De Winkel and I set off to London. The purpose of our visit was to view the Olympic road race route, in order to get a better understanding and feel for what we can expect come race day on 29 July. I will also be taking part in the individual time trial on 1 August.

The moment we landed in London, we could feel the Olympic atmosphere. Posters of athletes lined the walls of the airport, while Olympic staffs were all around to collect and drop of Olympic athletes. Every five minutes on the radio advertisements and reminders of the Games were played repeatedly.

The road race will certainly be a tough 140km race, starting and finishing on The Mall in central London. After starting in London we head out of the city centre, passing through six London boroughs before heading to the district of Surrey via Richmond Park. When in Surrey, we will race around a course that passes through a few smaller districts with a section in the countryside before entering the Box Hill circuit. We will then complete two small circuits of approximately 15km, which will include the famous box hill climb before we return back to London for the finish line. 

We'll be keeping in touch with our three ladies, Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio, Jo Van der Winkel and Robyn De Groot at the London Olympics 2012. We will be posting updates, so be sure to check back and stay up to date!