Itchy's Guide to Getting Around During The Olympics
Cos, let's face it - the tube will stink.
Feature
This summer, there’s only going to be one thing on everyone’s mind.
Well, anyone who lives in London that is. The Olympics will affect
everything from your daily commute to work, to what you wear, where you
drink, and what TV you watch for at least a few months. In fact, for a
lot of people it’s going to affect their lives for a lot longer,
especially those living in the capital and wanting any sort of peace
and quiet this August.
The worst of it all is surely going to be the transport. Like any good citizen of Britain, complaining about public transport is in our blood, and London-centric transport this summer is going to horrific. Crowded roads, choc-a-bloc buses and tubes that are crammed to the brim mean that finding another form of transport is going to be essential. Here’s our guide to alternative transport for traversing London during the Olympic months…
Boris Bikes
Yes, those blue and grey Barclays branded behemoths are going to be a good alternative come August. Instead of sitting on a sweltering bus, hop on a Boris Bike and weave your way through the traffic to your chosen destination. However, it would be better if you owned your own bike, seeing as Boris’ two-wheeled trundlers are likely to be hijacked by tourists. Not actually hijacked, more likely just used in their proper way.
Parkour
Get in the Olympic spirit by embracing the sport of kings, parkour! Run, jump and flip your way to work as you scale buildings, bike sheds and bus stops, avoiding public transport and the crowds at the same time. One word of caution: parkour isn’t for the faint-hearted, and falling off a (even small) building can result in a quick visit to your nearest personal injury solicitors in London. And also the hospital.
Roller skating
The seventies was very popular in fashion last year, so why not revive this sparkling, Lycra-clad sport and don a pair of skate boots (not in-line skates, please; the original full boot, four wheeled, lace up sort only) and glide to work? It’ll be a great workout, you’ll get there marginally quicker than walking, and your cool points will shoot through the roof. Don’t forget to don your sweatbands and shiny, SHINY shorts.
Boat
London has a whopping great river running through it, so make the most of it come the Olympics and hop on your choice of yacht, dingy, steamer, pedalo or rowboat to leisurely make your way to work or even the pub. Try and avoid the Thames during any sporting events – rowing and the like – as this is likely to increase the amount of river traffic and there’s nothing more embarrassing than winning an Olympic yacht race when you’re just trying to get to Tescos.
Skateboarding
Not just for sneaker and beanie-wearing teenagers, skateboarding can be pretty athletic in itself. It’ll make getting to work faster, more exciting, and above all – fun! Turn your regular commute into a veritable obstacle course of jumps, hops, inward heel flips, half cabs, grinds and ollies. No, we don’t know what any of that means either.
Walking
And, if there’s really no choice left, pull on your comfiest shoes and walk. In any other circumstance Itchy we would never recommend something so strenuous as walking, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Trudging the streets of the city where you live can be incredibly refreshing, especially when you’re used to spending the time you normally commute underground or squashed into a big red bus. Explore your local area by getting out and on your two feet – you might even be able to spot some Olympian celebrities!
The worst of it all is surely going to be the transport. Like any good citizen of Britain, complaining about public transport is in our blood, and London-centric transport this summer is going to horrific. Crowded roads, choc-a-bloc buses and tubes that are crammed to the brim mean that finding another form of transport is going to be essential. Here’s our guide to alternative transport for traversing London during the Olympic months…
Boris Bikes
Yes, those blue and grey Barclays branded behemoths are going to be a good alternative come August. Instead of sitting on a sweltering bus, hop on a Boris Bike and weave your way through the traffic to your chosen destination. However, it would be better if you owned your own bike, seeing as Boris’ two-wheeled trundlers are likely to be hijacked by tourists. Not actually hijacked, more likely just used in their proper way.
Parkour
Get in the Olympic spirit by embracing the sport of kings, parkour! Run, jump and flip your way to work as you scale buildings, bike sheds and bus stops, avoiding public transport and the crowds at the same time. One word of caution: parkour isn’t for the faint-hearted, and falling off a (even small) building can result in a quick visit to your nearest personal injury solicitors in London. And also the hospital.
Roller skating
The seventies was very popular in fashion last year, so why not revive this sparkling, Lycra-clad sport and don a pair of skate boots (not in-line skates, please; the original full boot, four wheeled, lace up sort only) and glide to work? It’ll be a great workout, you’ll get there marginally quicker than walking, and your cool points will shoot through the roof. Don’t forget to don your sweatbands and shiny, SHINY shorts.
Boat
London has a whopping great river running through it, so make the most of it come the Olympics and hop on your choice of yacht, dingy, steamer, pedalo or rowboat to leisurely make your way to work or even the pub. Try and avoid the Thames during any sporting events – rowing and the like – as this is likely to increase the amount of river traffic and there’s nothing more embarrassing than winning an Olympic yacht race when you’re just trying to get to Tescos.
Skateboarding
Not just for sneaker and beanie-wearing teenagers, skateboarding can be pretty athletic in itself. It’ll make getting to work faster, more exciting, and above all – fun! Turn your regular commute into a veritable obstacle course of jumps, hops, inward heel flips, half cabs, grinds and ollies. No, we don’t know what any of that means either.
Walking
And, if there’s really no choice left, pull on your comfiest shoes and walk. In any other circumstance Itchy we would never recommend something so strenuous as walking, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Trudging the streets of the city where you live can be incredibly refreshing, especially when you’re used to spending the time you normally commute underground or squashed into a big red bus. Explore your local area by getting out and on your two feet – you might even be able to spot some Olympian celebrities!
Tags
travel |
to do |
sport |
alternative |
London |
