The two-day Olympic Mountain Bike event takes place at Hadleigh Farm on 11 and 12 August. Around 19,000 spectators are expected to travel to the 550 acre site. Following the tremendous success of the Canoe Slalom at the Lee Valley White Water Centre, Essex Police is keen to ensure everyone with tickets for the Mountain Bikes is well prepared and has a great time.
Essex Police say:
Travel
There is no parking at the venue or in the surrounding areas so think about using the park and ride or travelling by train. The park and ride service will be running from New Holland tractor plant in Cranes Farm Road, Basildon and the recommended train station is Leigh on Sea. The park and ride is no longer running from Waterside Park on Canvey Island.
Clothing and footwear
There is a lot of walking to be done at Hadleigh Farm and there are lots of steep climbs, loose stones and gravel at the venue so sensible sturdy footwear is essential. Heeled shoes and flip-flops are not suitable. Be prepared for the possibility of wet or hot weather.
Security
LOCOG has provided every ticket holder with advice around what items can and can’t be taken into the venue so take the time to read it in advance. There are restrictions around taking liquids in to Hadleigh Farm so think about taking an empty water bottle which you can fill up once you are inside and have passed through security. No alcohol is allowed inside the venue.
Valuables
While we don’t anticipate theft, it can’t be ruled out so keep personal possessions like mobile phones and cameras safe. Keep an eye on your children too – don’t let them get lost in the crowd.
Assistant Chief Constable Sue Harrison said: “Hadleigh Farm is a great venue and we want everyone to enjoy their Olympic experience, but there is some advice we’d like people to follow.
“We’d like everyone to make sure they have plenty of time to reach the venue and to have planned their journey. Hadleigh Farm is quite a bumpy and hilly area. There are lots of steep climbs, loose stones and gravel so the important thing is to wear decent sturdy footwear.
“Make sure you are ready to deal with the weather too. It’s a very exposed location and there’s very little cover if it is a hot day.”
