Dispatches From the Road Races

By Leah (2012 Host)

My Gamesmaker volunteering is already officially over, and I had a blast despite the long hours. So I’ve contacted the organizers to offer help if they need any shifts filled. Next month I’m doing a different volunteering program for a week at the end of the Paralympics, but I’d love some more Gamesmaker work.

First came the cycling road races last weekend. I knew for a while that I would be a crossing marshal and the specifics of the role became clear during training. I was interested, of course, but almost more interested in my usual favorite part of the whole operation – the goings-on behind the scenes. The sheer scale of road closures was beyond anything ever attempted here, as far as I’m aware. Especially in Surrey, the county southwest of London.

The local residents would only be affected for a weekend, but organizers had to consider every implication. Such as, getting in touch with pregnant moms-to-be who might go into labor on July 28 or 29. The number of metal barriers used along the roads was astounding.

The men’s race covered more than 155 miles of road (250 km) and the women’s race the following day, around 87 miles (140 km). Though not all roads had barriers. The roads were closed at 3 a.m. each of those mornings, and not reopened until evening. Amateur cyclists made use of the closed roads before and after the race. Anything traffic-related in the road that could be removed was and anything that could not be removed (cement traffic islands) would have a Gamesmaker Flag Marshal stationed there to wave an official flag so the cyclists could see what to avoid.

I had watched the entire Opening Ceremony the night before so I got 2 hours 45 minutes of sleep before the alarm went off at 4:00 a.m. Saturday. My group reported to Sandown Park Racecourse, 30 minutes from London Waterloo on an overland train, at 6:15 a.m.  After checking in, picking up provided lunch (one piece of fruit, one sandwich, one granola bar and two bottles of water), and meeting our teams we were sent out to our sectors on accredited buses that were allowed through the road blocks. It all felt so official. My sector in Surrey was near the base of Box Hill, a hill in the North Downs partly owned and managed by the conservationist organization the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty (National Trust). My crossing point was on a blind turn called Butterfly Bend, as there is a protected butterfly habitat on one side of the road.

Ropes on spikes marked areas, but we had no barriers. This was an uphill section for the cyclists on the road appropriately called Zig Zag Road as it has at least two more hairpin turns on the way to the top. The men did the hill nine times and the women twice. Since it would not equal the elevation of the Pyrenees or the Alps in the Tour de France, the course had to be made more challenging somehow.

For the most part both days went fine, though Saturday for the men’s race was more stressful for us. Our crossing point was eventually closed down except for anyone working on the race, and professional photographers, as it was deemed to be too dangerous for spectators. We all had responsibilities that sometimes did not jive. Course and Crossing Marshals needed to keep the spectators safe, and the cyclists protected from the spectators. Locals wanted to walk all the paths that they usually walk on a normal weekend and they were not allowed to. The National Trust needed to protect the butterflies, whose habitat was being somewhat stomped on by cycling fans who were all competing to get photos of the cyclists. The professional photographers also hoped to capture amazing photos, in the confines of where we needed them to stay. The local police were a huge help and most of the spectators were cooperative. The sun was out almost all day and no rain! Bradley Wiggins fans (men and women alike) sported sideburns that were either real, drawn on with marker, made of felt, paper, or just about any material cut into sideburn shape.

Since there is so much less of a spotlight on the women’s race, Sunday was much more relaxed. Just as many tickets were sold, but the situation was more calm. And we had a couple of rainstorms to cool everyone off. I was at the top of the straightaway that approaches Butterfly Bend where I had been the day before. I was still marshaling a crossing point, but I was also able to talk with people, answer questions, take photos of them. Much more like the front-of-house work I do at the theater. I couldn’t take photos of the race, as that morning we were told we should not have taken any of the men’s race the day before.

The Time Trials the following Wednesday was completely different. This time I was on a village green in the town of Esher, across from a 300-year-old pub doing a barbeque outside, with barriers to help us out! Since this event is all about the best individual time, the riders don’t travel in a pack, and pass every three minutes or so, with police escort ahead of them and team car following them. Our crossing point was busy, especially because of the pub. But not overwhelming. One of the most exciting points was when a man in a mobility scooter somehow got on the course before the race started, and would not listen to the security team telling him to get up onto either sidewalk. I didn’t get my camera out soon enough but a newspaper did. In that photo, you can see my colleague (purple sleeve) on the pub side behind the lunging security guard, and the red and white plastic chains we would use to open and close the crossing. The crowd was cheering Scooter Man’s escape from the security guard.

Congratulations Bradley Wiggins, and Team USA’s Kristen Armstrong (no relation to Lance) who had won Time Trials gold in Beijing and defended her medal by winning again! She is 38 and retired from the sport for a time to have a baby 3 years ago.

I learned so much about the sport from the trainings and talking with my fellow Gamesmakers and spectators, most of whom are huge cycling fans. Keep safe whenever you hop on a cycle, please follow the rules of the road and always wear a helmet!