Greg Hill
Apr 12 2007, 02:56 PM
Right on!!! Now were moving..
Ken Pliska
Apr 12 2007, 03:09 PM
Oz,
I know it is kind of early to plan that far out but I am in. Hell, in 17 months I'll be back at full strength
Count me in.
Excellent, excellent! This is starting to sound a little like the Gary H. BBQ when he and Reilley and a couple other guys were starting to get a little excitied about it...and look what happened there.
Ken, Reilley, Gary...on behalf of Greg and myself, welcome aboard. Woo hoo!
Reilley, how much is airplane fare? Say it kinda slow, so we all don't get scared off.
Susan wants to see the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. I dig Hunan Chinese food!
General Pao Chicken rules!
Greg Hill
Apr 12 2007, 05:52 PM
This is cool! I went to the great wall in 2004, jogged to the top with a few buddies it was awesome..There is so much history and tradition in China were gonna have a great time..I know it's early but that is good, allows for lot's of planning..
Greg Hill
Apr 12 2007, 06:07 PM
OK..Im adding my buddy Mike Flaherty to the list, he owns Atomlab and I work with him. Our trading company has offices in Beijing and Taiwan so Im working on all sorts of things just getting info on lodging, you name it..Man it just seems like all you need is a few people to get the ball rolling and BOOM..Were there! Good times straight ahead..
Bryan Franklin
Apr 12 2007, 07:21 PM
Is this trip just for the BBQ guys, or could some of us mere mortals tag along?
JohnnyJohnson OMAS DirtSlinger
Apr 12 2007, 07:49 PM
So if I was in China....
and I wanted some Chinese food....
would I say.... "I want food" ?
Reilley1
Apr 12 2007, 07:54 PM
Johnny has to go. After seeing some of the pictures on his "My Space," he seems to be on the ball when it comes to certain Asian delicacies...
Bryan Franklin, this trip is for mortals, geeks, nerds, has-been photogs, border patrol dudes, disc-jockeys, kids, retired BMX racers...you name it. This is a non-denominational, intra-cultural, multi-lingual...anyway, you get the idea. You are completely welcome!
Bryan Franklin
Apr 12 2007, 08:22 PM
Wow! My all time hero Oz typed my name. Thanks for letting me know. By the way, I think you can still write with the best of them! I hope you know how much of a positive influence you have been for us all these years. It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside getting to read your words again. Amazing how quickly I feel like I am 12 years-old again. Thanks Oz.
Bryan Franklin...There...did it again! That oughta REALLY tickle your tutu! LOL!
[ April 12, 2007, 10:51 PM: Message edited by: Oz ]
So, Bryan...are you going to China with us?
Bryan Franklin
Apr 12 2007, 09:05 PM
Oz, I really would like to make the trip. I will talk to my wife and see what she thinks. She has traveled a lot, but I do not think she has been to China. We have two young kids, and it would be great to take them. My wife has a good understanding of how much BMX means to me, I was crying like a baby after I watched Joe Kid, I bet she would figure out how to get us there!
Thanks for making a 41-year-old BMXer from Iowa feel important.
Greg Hill
Apr 12 2007, 10:33 PM
Add BF to the list, welcome aboard!
THE GREAT CHINA/BMX/OLYMPICS TRIP
So far (given that it is a year-and-a-half away) here's who is going:
Gregory Alan Hill
Liz Hill
Jeremy Hill
Bob Osborn
Susan Osborn
Mike Flaherty
Gary Haselhorst
Rick Gaytan
Patrick Gaytan
Reilley Gaytan
Ken Pliska
Bryan Franklin and family (tentative)
Ben Joy
Here's what we're going to do:
See the first ever BMX races in the Olympics!
Watch other Olympic events
Visit The Forbidden City
Visit The Temple of Heaven
Visit The Summer Palace
Visit The Great Wall
Eat General Pao Chicken
Before we go we're going to watch:
THE LAST EMPEROR
THE RED LANTERN (thanks 'go-away' for the tips)
Wow! Woo-hoo! Hot-diggety-dog!
[ April 13, 2007, 01:16 PM: Message edited by: Oz ]
Greg Hill
Apr 13 2007, 11:09 AM
Excellent!
I e mailed my friend that did translation for me and she has been hired by the Chinese Olympic comittee and will be working the Olympics so I will see what help can come from that. My buddy works for a trading company and they are located in Beijing and are currently building a BMX/MTB park in Beijing, I told him WE need the hook up so with this much time we'll have it dialed when we get there..
Stubob, Red, Tommy Lee Brackens?? Guy's who else is in?
This is sounding better and better. Those are great connections, Greg.
I think I left a name off the list. I think Ben Joy said he goes to China on business trips three times a year and that he might coordinate a business trip with the Olympics. So I edited the post and added Ben's name.
Ben, do you have any connections in Beijing that could help us?
Greg Hill
Apr 13 2007, 11:18 AM
We will get a discount if we book with a travel agent as a group so we should make sure and book all together at least 9 months prior to leaving, remember it's the Olympics and it will be crazy busy.
Stuart, The Red Baron, and Tommy...Their attendance should be mandatory. Actually, the entire BBQ group should be required to go. Wouldn't that be cool?
I'm one post behind you, Greg. I agree completely with booking early...So if we do that by November of this year, will that work?
Also, considering the enormity of the Olympics, what do you think about booking hotel rooms and Olympic event tickets way ahead of time also?
Greg Hill
Apr 13 2007, 11:31 AM
Have to if we want to be able to get in to these things, it's gonna be busy..Im good to book by Nov/Dec time I just think we'll be safe that early..In the next few weeks I will get hotel and other info and see what we can do..We may want to reserve our rooms sooner than Nov/Dec but I'll look into it..
The Red Baron
Apr 13 2007, 11:47 AM
I cannot commit at this time. I already have another vacation commitment at the end of that summer.
Sauni and I, with several other families, are booked on a 2 week cruise from the Caribbean, thru the Panama Canal, to the West Coast.
When, exactly, are the Olympics Games?
Whenever you want to start making reservations is cool with us, Greg. Susan and I are getting very excited about this trip. We've thought of going to the Olympics in the past, but how to make it all work was just too daunting. This time we have an excuse (BMX), and some really cool people to go with, some of whom know a lot about the place.
I just did a quick check on Travelocity and the round trip prices are all over the map. But generally, round trip and a hotel for two weeks (this is from Bozeman, MT to Beijing, China in three hops) will cost about $1600 per person. Prices from the West Coast will probably be several hundred less. Travel time (remember this is from Bozeman) is about 22 hours.
Dennis, I believe they are in
August of 2008.
Bryan Franklin
Apr 13 2007, 02:50 PM
I talked to my wife and she thinks it would be a cool trip. We still need to work out the finances to see if it will be possible. I hope this works out for us! Ellen,(my wife) can tell that I am looking forward to making the trip.
Criscobath
Apr 13 2007, 03:01 PM
Sounds like fun.
www.martin-bike.com
Apr 13 2007, 07:59 PM
I'll be going as a spectator - I live in Hong Kong.
Martin
sanjosebmx
Apr 13 2007, 08:15 PM
quote:
Here's what we're going to do:
See the first ever BMX races in the Olympics!
Watch other Olympic events
Visit The Forbidden City
Visit The Temple of Heaven
Visit The Summer Palace
Visit The Great Wall
Eat General Pao Chicken
So are you guys thinking about hiring a Tour Bus, like a Charter? Does that exist over there?
San Jose,
Here is what I have pictured: Hotel reservations made well in advance of the Olympics, tickets to the BMX races and other Olympic events secured well in advance. A hotel reasonably close to the Olympic venues (walking distance or a short cab ride) or possibly an interpreter with a car that makes sure we get where we're supposed to be, when we're supposed to be there, knows good restaurants, how to get to The Great Wall, knows where the best General Pao Chicken is served, and like that.
We have been told by people who know Beijing/China that prices are very cheap...but we've also been told that prices may rise because of the Olympics. I think the reality will be somewhere in the middle.
Susan has discovered a couple very interesting things relative to this trip:
The Beijing Olympics are expected to be bigger than ever. I see this as meaning that the people who are going should consider making reservations SOON. Soon means within maybe two months, maybe less, if we want to insure good seats, good events, good hotels, etc.
Tickets for the different events will go on sale to the Chinese sometime this month and are supposed to be quite inexpensive. The reason for this is that China wants to encourage a high Chinese attendance.
Tickets will not go on sale for the rest of the world until sometime around Novermber of 2007. However, as near as I can understand the website that I will post below, we can reserve excellent seating within a few weeks. This company/website is apparently able to reserve large blocks of quality tickets in advance.
Incidentally, they seem to be the officially Olympics travel agency for the U.S., Canada, and four or five other countries.
The following website that Susan found presents itself as the exclusive full-service travel planner, ticket seller, and on-site host for the Beijing Olympics. So far, though, Susan hasn't been able to find any prices, but she's working on it.
Here's my point: We're starting to get some information, and it all points to early reservations.
http://cosport.net/Home.asp
Stu Thomsen
Apr 14 2007, 03:27 PM
Okay already,
I saw the post when it first began on the 29th of March. I didn't read it till this morning. Put my wife and I on the intrest list. My contribution to BMX would not be complete if I wasn't there to see this historic event unfold.
How do you say where's the bathroom in Chinese?
[ April 14, 2007, 05:31 PM: Message edited by: Stu Thomsen ]
Stu Thomsen
Apr 14 2007, 04:10 PM
To far South. You do remember going to Japan? I think they were where ever someone wasn't looking.
Yes, Stuart, I remember when we all went to Japan. That was almost thirty years ago. Amazing! What a fascinating trip. Do you remember our guide? Sonny, I think his name was? He was Mr. Shimano's or Mr. Sugino's son, I think. He added a lot to our enjoyment of Japan. Do you remember the Geisha dolls that Mr. Kuwahara gave each of us? I still have mine. It is a beautiful thing. Do you remember the little gobs of opium that the Japanese would stick on statues of Budha in the Buddhist temples for luck, or the joss (luck) sticks they burned in the temples?
I think going to China will be probably even more fascinating because of the ancientness and history of the country, and the Olympics, and BMX in the Olympics maybe the best part.
I'm really glad you're considering going with us.
[ April 14, 2007, 06:32 PM: Message edited by: Oz ]
Mike Aguilera
Apr 15 2007, 05:06 PM
I just talked 2 my wife and she incouraged me to go and be apart of history . IM IN .
[ April 15, 2007, 07:07 PM: Message edited by: Mike Aguilera ]
JohnnyJohnson OMAS DirtSlinger
Apr 15 2007, 06:16 PM
I might go.........
Might be in the Phillipines the week before.
We'll see.
Got to come up with a game plan.
Reilley1
Apr 15 2007, 06:36 PM
My kid's mom just gave me the ok to take the kids (Thanks Trish!) Now to start saving some $$. The kids are excited already and so am I.
Mike, dude...that's great!
Johnny, what's this 'might' stuff. Think about it: You gotta go!
Rick, that is excellent that you got the green light for your kids. But save quick, buddy. I have a feeling we're going to need to make reservations for the events and hotel soon.
But I'll tell you guys what; if we can all pull this off, this is going to be an event that we all talk about for decades! It is going to be the culmination of THE HISTORY OF BMX!!!
Bill
Apr 15 2007, 08:22 PM
Pencil me in under "definitely interested".
JohnnyJohnson OMAS DirtSlinger
Apr 15 2007, 08:23 PM
Oz you are truely the motivator.........
Reilley1
Apr 15 2007, 08:51 PM
I thought he was the Terminator...
eddy king
Apr 16 2007, 12:19 AM
yo yo yo .....
Since my little bro is GRAND POO-BAH of events for the USA. I will pass this on to him so he knows our interest in this historic event. I agree with all of you from day one. That this sport, trying to imitate our motorcyle counterparts would be such a global event, and would be ever considered an Olympic event. "What would I do to be 13 again?" I would love to be on the sidelines and yelling my lungs out for the USA riders! Who would have thought???
Ha, ha, ha...More like a participator-investigator-disseminator, maybe illuminator too (but not alligator) in this case.
Bill C., excellent, excellent. We now have a bodyguard. Just please don't wear that leapard G-string with the Glock tucked in the back. I don't think the Chinese would go for that.
Eddie, did what you said mean that you are going with us? I sincerely hope so. We need somebody who knows somebody who is the GRAND POO BAH of the American BMX team.
And so, to disseminate a few new pearls of information: Susan just talked to a lady at the website that I mentioned on Pg. 6 of this thread, that handles the sale of event tickets and just about every other aspect of a trip to the Olympics. Here's what she learned...
Cosport is apparently the ONLY place in the U.S. where we can buy tickets to the various events.
The cost of event tickets and the charges for various other services Cosport provides will be posted on their website tomorrow.
The cost of event tickets are going to be significantly lower than any Olympics in recent history. The Chinese government set these low prices so that the Chinese people will be able to afford to see the Olympics...and we benefit too.
Cosport can provide an individual or a group with just about anything you would expect in relation to attending the Olympics in Beijing (i.e., hotels, events, transportation, meals, interpretor, or any combination thereof). But not airline tickets.
One additional note for now: Speaking for Susan and I, this will probably be our only Olympics trip, and it will almost certainly be our only visit to China. We intend to make it the best that it can be. I am NOT talking about throwing large amounts of money at it, I AM talking about the earliest possible reservations to insure a close and decent hotel and interesting Olympic events with good seats. Also visits to the interesting sites in and around Beijing.
Sayonara for now!
[ April 16, 2007, 01:05 PM: Message edited by: Oz ]
Greg Hill
Apr 16 2007, 11:12 AM
Oz that is good info...You are the information guru..I was speaking with my wife about the trip and one thing we both agreed on was we are 100% for watching the BMX venue..Liz said if we are there for 10 days and 1 or 2 days is dedicated to the BMX part of this it does not allow for much time left to be tourists...I would like to go to 1 event that is actually in the Olympic stadium so we can feel the energy and take it all in but beyond that we want to do the site seeing gig as we can only go for about 10 days..We do not want to only have a few days for looking around then before you know it were at the airport leaving for home =(
If you know the events you and Susan will be attending let us know and we'll schedule the same event or get our tickets together so we can sit in the same section...
It's very cool, Edward you coming? Come on bro, your lil bro will be there...You are BMX, you will always be BMX and if you don't go and have to hear how great it was from Mikey you will be kicking yourself for years to come for not going...
[ April 16, 2007, 01:13 PM: Message edited by: Greg Hill ]
Greg, I agree about the BMX events. They are the primary reason we are all going to China. Susan and I are going to go to every one also.
I am hoping that the Cosports website will post a schedule of events in the next day of two. Let's look it over and decide what we want to see and get tickets together with whoever wants to join us.
Ten days seems to me to be quite a bit of time, although right now I have no idea how much time the BMX events will take. Hopefully, we'll soon know.
And Eddie...what Greg said.
Bryan Franklin
Apr 16 2007, 01:26 PM
Oz,
Thanks for keeping us updated. Have you been able to find out any prices yet?
Bryan
eddy king
Apr 16 2007, 01:49 PM
I would definately love to make this trip and witness a part of history. Plus 1 more road trip with all me friends! Count me in...
EK
It gets better and better. You're on the list, Eddy.
Bryan...we should get some prices tomorrow.
[ April 16, 2007, 04:27 PM: Message edited by: Oz ]
Greg Hill
Apr 16 2007, 03:45 PM
Awesome! EK that is great..