Let the Games Begin...Cycling
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The Summer Olympics begin on July 27, 2012, in London, England. In their honor, we have created a series of caches to highlight the Olympic sporting disciplines. We will release a new cache as the first medal is awarded in each discipline. In each cache, you will see a code for the Closing Ceremony cache. The first 26 cachers who log all 26 sporting, Opening, and Closing Ceremony caches will win a special Olympic prize.
Cycling is composed of four different areas: BMX, Mountain Bike, Road and Track.
BMX-Cycling will be making its second appearance in the Olympic games. It is the newest sport to join the games, having started in 2008 in Beijing. There are two events (Mens 450m and Womens 440m). Each country may have 3 male competitors and 2 female competitors. For 2012, there are 48 competitors (32 men and 16 women). Each race lasts roughly 40 seconds. Competition will take place on two outdoor tracks consisting of banked turns, jumps, and bumps.
Mountain Bike-Cycling has been a part of the Olympics since 1996. Riders are required to make a set number of laps over rocky hillsides and steep climbs. This year, 80 competitors have entered (50 men and 30 women). Each country is allowed to enter up to 3 men and 2 women. There are only two medal events, one for men and one for women. Races last a minimum of 90 minutes, up to a maximum of 105 minutes. Contestants face challenges not only with the course but with equipment breakage and bodily harm, as crashes take their toll.
Road-Cycling had an early start in modern Olympics. The first Olympic race took part in 1896 for men only. It disappeared for the next three Olympics, then reappeared for the 1912 Games. Since then it has been in every Olympics, with women's events joining the competition in 1984. It is a popular event and this year is expected to draw a record for crowds and viewers. There are four events in two variations (Road Race and Time Trials) for both men and women in London. This year there are 212 athletes entered, 145 men and 67 women. There are two Road Race courses and one course for Time Trials. Each country is limited to 5 men and 4 women on their team, however a maximum of 2 men and 2 women may compete in the time trials.
Cycling-Track is also enjoying great popularity. It has appeared in every modern Olympics, except 1912, since 1896. Women have participated since 1988. This year, 10 medals will be awared for Sprint (3 lap race for both men and women), Keirin (where a maximum of 7 riders are paced by a motorcycle at the start then sprint to the finish line), Team Sprint (men have 3 riders and women have 2), Team Pursuit (16 laps for men and 12 for women), and in its debut this year is Omnium (individual riders race against others to complete a flying lap, points race, elimination, individual pursuit, scratch race, and time trial). A total of 188 competitors (104 men/84 women) make up the field. Each country is allowed to send 9 men and 7 women.
This cache is a two stage multi. You need to bring your own pen. Tweezers may also be helpful...
These cache-athletes walked or pedaled to medals...
Gold Medalist- Congrats to DJandthekids for FTF!!!
Silver Medalist- Congrats to laker91 (we would have liked to seen your steeplechase version)!!
Bronze Medalist- Congrats to juan3011!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Fgntr 1 - fvta hc sbe riragf....