Is anybody here going to the (I think) August 2008 BMX Olympics? Scot B. and I talked about going in Rockford in 2005, but I'm not sure he'll be able to make it now.

Carolyn and I are thinking about it since her parents just came back from there. The only thing is that I don't know any BMXer's over there to crash on their couch! lol

Seriously though it would be gnarly to experience the first Olympics with BMX. I believe in a 1976 BMX News they wondered if BMX would ever get to the Olympic level and 32 years later it will be a reality!!!!

My old team mate is going!!!!

USA Cycling has announced that former BMX World Champion Mike King has been selected to lead American BMX athletes to Beijing as USA Cycling's Director of BMX programs.

Yep, Mikey was telling me about it in Phoenix. He was kind of scoping out future riders, while we were there.

I heard that Mikey...oops, MIKE was doing that. That is excellent. I was told that I walked right up to him on the starting gate at Phoenix, when everyone was up there, and didn't even recognize him. And we didn't connect again. That is a shame.

Back to the Olympics, just to clarify, I'm wondering if any old-timers here are thinking of going over to spectate.

Theres a member here, I think from the NW - he goes to China for buisness - what's it like there?

Anyone ever even been to China? - Wow what a trip that would be!

You going Oz? If anyone should..it would be you. But you'd have to write about it.

I'd love your take on the scene.

Never been to China.

Thinking about it but it would be a LOT easier and better if I was going with someone who had SOME idea of what they were doing.

Been there..More than a few times, it's no big deal other than no one speaks english..LOL I would love to be there to watch the BMX race, it's probably something I will end up wanting to do but more than likely it will not happen. It is a tremendous help to have someone with you who can speak both Chinese and English..I know a few people there when the time comes Oz if you need help let me know..

GH

Man, Oz...the idea of you going to the Olympics and writing (and shooting pix) about the BMX races sent a shiver down my spine. There isn't anything in the world I'd rather read than that story.

Seriously.

Hey, John S.,

I can't even work my wife's digital camera now! She has to tell me how to do it when I take a picture. And you want me to photograph an Olympic event??? And if you've been reading the BBQ thread, Greg and Stuart have become better writers than I am.

Somebody should send Tony Donaldson to do the photography and Stu and Greg to write it. Man, THAT would be some amazing coverage.

But thanks for the spine shiver, buddy, I appreciate it.

I go to China at least once a year. My favorite place in China is Beijing (Been there 3 times). Tiananmen Square kind of freaks me out however. Had a business dinner once in the Forbidden City. That was pretty cool. Taiwan and Shanghai have more English than in land towards Beijing. I’d would be cool to coordinate a business trip where I could see this event.

I just checked this out as United Airlines just started a flight directly from Dulles airport, Washington, D.C. to Beijing. They also fly Chicago to Beijing and San Francisco to Beijing directly. You need a valid passport with at least 6 months left on it, a VISA (about $50.) from U.S. Consulate, and a health card with a yellow fever vaccination. Here's the Olympic website and BMX is definitely an event for Gold!!! The Olympics are hiring a ton of translators during the games. http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/beijing/index_uk.asp

Oz started a thread, Oz started a thread!

Wow!
Miracles do happen at VintageBMX.com!

We should start a "Send Oz to China fund."

I've been to Beijing and Xi'An.

Ben, that's cool you had dinner in the Forbidden City. The Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and the Great Wall are also "must see" items in the Beijing area.

If you are going to China, rent The Last Emporer or Raise the Red Lantern. Two very good movies about Chinese history and culture.

Be prepared for very little English spoken in Beijing. Use the hotel concierge to help you arrange a cab and driver for the whole day to see all the sites. Everything is dirt-cheap (except maybe when the Olympics are going on). Prepare for sub-standard ammenities. I stayed in the Radisson, and it looked like some $H*t box I would never think of staying at in the States.

Crisco, that is a BRILLIANT idea! Maybe it will spread to a bunch more wonderful, generous, good-looking people!

Mrs. Sod, Gregory Alan, and go-away...thanks for the enlightening tips. Someday soon I will print out this thread and keep it in case Susan and I go. Not sure though at this time...I won't know any of the racers...it's not like Stuart, Greg, Tommy, Brent, maybe Doug Davis and the Avalanche, and maybe even Geoff Scofield and Chicken George Seevers were going.

But we're talking about it. (I wonder if they have Moose Drool in China?)

Oz..I think they have Moose Drool but it tastes more like Greased Moose Poop..Enjoy that LOL It may be fun to go if there was a group of old timers going I may think about it..Who knows..

ROAD TRIP!!

We can paint the plane all camo...

Boy, you are really on it tonight, Reilley!!! Micky Mouse voice at the Gold Cup and a camo'd airplane...Susan and I are LOAO!!!

Greg, I totally agree with you. If a few old-timers (and you are definitely an old-timer now) went, it could be a great trip!

'A camo'd airplane'...where does he get this stuff?

Rick is the best, funny ****! Could you imagine an 18 hour plane ride with all of us sitting together it would be epic..Plenty of time to plan, Im good friends with a few people there Im sure finding a good translater would be simple..

Ya know Im just as happy BMX made it into the Olympics but I really had no desire to go until this thread. It's who you spend time with growing up with, time spent racing with all the guy's while you (Oz) put it all into the mag and wow...Magic..It would be great to go with a bunch of old guy's and gals...Oz I would do my best to go if you and Susan are in and we can get a few others..It puts a smile on my face just thinking about it

GH

Maybe, maybe...

Let's see if anybody else is interested.

P.P.S. Uh, Greg...we wouldn't be having any of those Brokeback Paris numbers, would we???

OMG...That was rediculous...No sir, it was a one time deal..No sleep and lot's of beer = wrestlemania and TLB bed breaking...Good times..

GH

Stop over for awhile in Singapura if you got chance. Ben Joy knows better, right Ben?

Oz,
How long did it take for Suzy Q to really start to understand all of your BMX past.
From the start..... 6 months, a year, two years?
I know its an on going thing......

I didn't really talk to her much about it until John and Mark came over for that interview. Then I still didn't say much.

I think she "got it" in Rockford.

How do you convey something like that to a person who is not already familiar with it? I don't think you can.

Tell you what, though. Last week in Phoenix conveyed it BIG TIME!

P.P.S. As all of you who were in Phoenix know, Susan is now a full-on, 100%, BMX person!

You should have heard her at Phoenix screaming for Stuart and Turnell and Rupe.

[ April 01, 2007, 02:52 PM: Message edited by: Oz ]

While Cosmo was telling us the Cosmo story at Rockford, I went up to her and told Q "If you want to see what impact Oz had on us back in the day, all you have to do is look at the guest tables and watch 200 forty something year old men rivetted to their seats as Bob talks about an imaginary cat battling an imaginary evil mouse."

I think Q understood.

That was REALLY funny. And fun. And a lot of other things that are hard to express.

Hi Reilley! How is it goin' bud? I totally agree with you about the Cosmo story. I also want to tell you that I enjoyed seeing you this past weekend and I did not know you had a birthday coming up....Happy Birthday!!!!

Suzy-Q

Thanks!

Things are good after a hectic week (and not just the get-together) My kids are here for a week and all problems have faded away.

It was nice seeing you and Oz. (and the rest of the crazies)

Oz,

Short story:

So Im getting ready for work this morning and Im talking to my better half and I say "man it would sure be neat to be in China to watch BMX in the Olympics, it would be epic" She says well don't you know a few people there? I say yes I do as a matter of fact. Then I say well Oz and Suzie are thinking of going.. Liz says "maybe Jeremy and I could go with you, we could check on getting an apartment or suite or something that we can all fit in and split. At this time Im having a real big smile on my face just hearing her talk and come up with ideas to make it work and then she says.. "you should be there, it's BMX and it's been your life and I want you to be there for this" Holy crap..Im psyched, that's all I needed to hear her say.. So needless to say Im on it, Im going to get in touch with some people I know and see what options there are.

So if there is a list that has been started you can add the following names:

Gregory Alan Hill
Liz Hill
Jeremy Hill

Let's do this!

GH

[ April 12, 2007, 11:43 AM: Message edited by: Greg Hill ]

I have been thinking seriously about it and maybe taking my first trip with my kids overseas.

Maybe somebody else has better Connections, Ins or Ideas.

Ironically
Yesterday I put some feeler e-mails out letting some high up people know that there are several legands and HOF'ers from the sport that might be interested in offering some insight as to the history of the sport regarding BMX being in the Olympics. Anything from being inteviewed to even doing some commentary at the Olympics.

This is not a place I have connections but I did do a little research. Maybe somebody else does.

I thought it might help get a few people there

GRH

Anyone have any personal contacts at NBC Sports?

Gregory Alan Hill
Liz Hill
Jeremy Hill
Bob Osborn
Susan Osborn

[ April 12, 2007, 12:34 PM: Message edited by: Oz ]

Rick?
Gary?

Whoooooooooooooooooooo!

I have e mailed a friend in China about all kinds of questions I have, when they get back to me I will e mail you Oz and maybe we can talk via phone..I am going for sure so I'll be doing lot's of research on things just to be ready..I think my brains will fall out as we sit there and watch BMX make history, how cool!

Greg, Susan and I are in for sure (or at least, as sure as we can be a year-and-a-half ahead). It is begining to sound VERY INTERESTING.

What about your brother-in-law, what's his name?

Change that to: VERY, VERY, VERY INTERESTING!!!

Good deal...Hey 1 1/2 years of planning could result in one excellent trip..Im not sure about Stu, I have not spoke with him about this..Im sure he will see this thread sooner or later and maybe make comment.

It is getting interesting for sure though, Im excited about this..

I knew that was where this thead was going!

2nd Annual Gary Hasselhoff (Mandarin) BBQ?

Sooooooooo....Reilley????

Yes...Reilley????

Hasselhoff?

At a Year and a Half out.

Im Game!!!

Add your name to the list and pass it forward..

I checked ticket prices. Steep!! Would love to take my kids. 18 months but as of now, I think I might be to swing it

Rick G
Patrick G
Reilley G

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