I’m very fortunate to be friends with cyclist Nicole Cooke who happens to have been competing in a major sporting event that’s taking over London right now – have you heard of it?! Anyway, Door2Tour thought wouldn’t it be fun to find out what life is like onsite in Olympic Park and Nicole very kindly took part in our interview. If you’ve ever wanted to know what her kit-bag essentials are, her plans for the future or what the atmosphere is like in the Team GB camp, read on…
1) So it’s been a few days since the road race where Lizzie Armitstead from Team GB managed to pick up a silver medal, how do you think it went?
It couldn’t have gone any better for us as a team, Emma, Lizzie and I were in really good form and we knew we stood a good chance of a medal. When Lizzie got in the break, Emma and I were supporting her back in the bunch and the silver medal is something we are all very proud of as we rode so well as a team.
2) What are your plans now?
I would like to make the most of the Olympics and see as many sports as possible. I am going to be supporting Team GB at every opportunity and want to take time to see London in all its Olympic glory.
3) What other sports have you been watching at the Olympics?
There are so many to see but I have been to watch the Triathlon, tennis, gymnastics, boxing, swimming and of course the cycling.
4) What’s it like in Team GB’s camp at the Olympic Village?
At the start, it was very positive but as each day passed you could also see the nervousness kicking in around the camp. As the week has gone on and the medals have started coming in, you could see the excitement and buzz build in the camp. Everyone is extremely positive and very supportive of everyone in the team, there is a great spirit in there at the moment.
5) We know you didn’t attend the Opening Ceremony as you were preparing for your race, but will you be going to the Closing Ceremony? Have you got any sneak previews you can let us in on?
Yes I will definitely be attending the closing ceremony and Team GB will be looking as great as ever! This time I don’t think the white and gold will be featured…..
6) What would you say are your sports bag essentials?
Before a recent race my sports bag did not turn up so I realised the things that I thought were essential were maybe not quite so essential. The main things as a cyclist are: race shoes, heart rate monitor, a hairbrush and hairband.
We then asked Nicole a few travel-related questions and this is what she told us…
7) Where is your favourite place that you have cycled?
Switzerland and Italy are spectacular with amazing views. Both countries have high mountains, rolling hills and pretty coastal roads (either around the lakes in Switzerland or the sea in Italy) which makes it a very interesting ride for a cyclist offering many challenges.
8) What would be your dream cycle route?
I think it would be a dream of mine to go mountain biking on some off-road trails.
9) Cycling aside, what would you say is your favourite place you’ve ever been to?
I would say Italy is my favourite country as it is a great place to spend time relaxing in the main squares, eating some great food and drinking some fine wine. As for my favourite city, I would definitely say Melbourne, as it is very vibrant with lots going on. I was lucky enough to spend some time there and it really is a great place to be.
10) Having been living in Switzerland for a while now, what would you say are the best things about the country?
Obviously the scenery is amazing, but the cities of Lucerne and Zurich are well worth a visit too. Also the public transport is very efficient making it so convenient to travel around the country.
11) Have you got a more leisurely holiday planned? Something a bit more relaxing?
Although The Olympics are now over for me, there’s no rest for the wicked as I will soon be training for the World Championships so maybe sometime after that I will have a relaxing holiday – here’s hoping anyway!
We’ve been very fortunate to be able to interview an Olympic athlete and it has got us thinking, if you had the chance to interview one too – who would it be and what would you most like to find out about them?