Olympic preps?

[Le Mouse]

Hi there AWR. Best to remember that it's not just the two weeks of the main Olympics - it's two weeks Olympics, 2 weeks break, two weeks Paralympics. Those 6 weeks will be hideous IMO.

I've booked off the two weeks of the main Olympics from work and I'm tentatively planning to not even be in the country for it. The remaining 4 weeks will see me cycling to work, staying firmly away from the tube and buses and probably loudly complaining about the whole fiasco!

My preps will be making sure I have food and spare clothes at work in case I get stuck in the office, finally sorting out my EDC bag and kit that I have on me at all times and researching more walking routes home in case something happens to my bike.

I've said on another thread that the website http://www.getaheadofthegames.com/ is pretty useful for seeing which tube stations are going to be particularly gnarly on particular days. Also the cycle maps from TfL are not just good for cycling, but useful for finding where the quieter roads are, which in a terrorist / riot / hell-in-a-handcart-on-the-main-roads situation could be a lifesaver.

[Furrytired]

I don't live or work in London, but there is a knock on effect that nobody has mentioned here so far, the police. There are going to be less police available as large numbers are being moving down to London to police the games. I suspect that certain members of society are going to take this opportunity to have a field day, knowing they are less likely to be caught doing criminal activities.

[Squirrel hunter]

I doubt it will have that much difference furry, the Police don't usually stop crime, they solve it (or try to).

[Attack Warning Red]

Scoobie - I might take you up on that pint if we're stuck in London! I normally work in places just west of Tottenham Court Road. For some reason most of my clients are based there.

But yes, I'll be revising my EDC. I never carry any kind of bladed object anyway, and certainly won't during the jittery Olympic period.

Le Mouse - yes, I forgot about the two week break before the paralympics. Blimey!

If the worst comes to the worst and the trains out of London are down, I can cycle the 15-20 miles home - although I'd rather not, obviously!

[Le Mouse]

Well, after hearing transport woes from people trying to get to / from yesterday's 'Boats in the Rain' Jubilee thing, I have absolutely no confidence in London Transport holding up during the Olympics. AWR, I think you'll be on that bike more than you think....

In terms of coppers, I think the main difference will be that we'll see more armed police. I used to work near Bank and it became a common sight to see what looked like military police with mahoosive guns during the day. Freaked me out that did. It doesn't comfort me that there'll be more of that during the Olympics, London-wide.

[jansman]

Glad I am no where near London, reading all the above!

As for Olympic preps here at Chez Jansman,only one.
TOTAL television blackout!( I know, what a misery guts!)

[scoobie]

In terms of coppers, I think the main difference will be that we'll see more armed police. I used to work near Bank and it became a common sight to see what looked like military police with mahoosive guns during the day. Freaked me out that did. It doesn't comfort me that there'll be more of that during the Olympics, London-wide.

Yep, I see those armed police with their MP5's out at the same time and place every week recently (behind the bank of England)

I had the same thought yesterday with the transport woes..doesn't bode well for the Olympics!

[Le Mouse]

I had the same thought yesterday with the transport woes..doesn't bode well for the Olympics!

I've just had a look at the 'Driving & Road' section of the Get Ahead of the Games website and found out that the Olympic Media Transport Hub will be in Russell Square. 5 minutes from my office.

Waaaah!

*resolves to demand a transport contingency plan at work*

[maxilaura]

I worked between Moorgate and Bank so always saw that too Scoobie - very glad I don't have to go into the city anymore

[Attack Warning Red]

Yeah, as you said, the police will be out with their single-shot MP5s. Funny how those guns are purely for show - single-shot (no full-auto on police issue models) 9mm I think, so they may as well just be carrying pistols...

Funnily enough I was in London for the jubilee boat thing, and had no trouble walking from my rail station, then getting the underground back. Although I did spend a few hours in a restaurant to let the rabble disperse before going home...