Circuits
The one mile floodlit road circuit can be separated into three separate loops, segmented to be used for races and club training.The smallest at 225m is the O loop, which stands at the original Eastway Circuit where cycling legends such as Bradley Wiggins and Eddie Merckx once rode.
The 645m Abercrombie Loop pays homage to Patrick Abercrombie, creator of the Greater London Plan in 1944, that led to the creation of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, the organisation that will own and manage the venue.
The longest of the three at 748m is the Riverbank Loop, so called to remember the Riverbank Arena, the former London 2012 venue which hosted the hockey event.
There is a 3m safety zone running along each side of the entire road circuit, creating a safe environment for all riders, and two bridges, unique to Lee Valley VeloPark’s road circuit, crossing the River Lea.
In Olympic mode, the BMX track was 450m long with an 8m high starter ramp – the height of two double-decker buses on top of each other.
As a legacy venue the track has now been remodelled to be accessible for all riders. The course is now 390m long with 29 bumps, jumps and berms, and a 3.8m starter ramp along with added pump training section.
BMX is the newest Olympic cycling discipline, appearing only for the second time at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The course has been developed to allow people to “get air” if they can or simply roll along to help build their confidence.
Lee Valley VeloPark will also be home to five miles of urban mountain bike trails, which weave around the other circuits, over the A12 and extend to Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.
Designed by the renowned Dafyyd Davis MBE, creator of famous trails such as Coed-Y-Brenin in Wales, there are three set levels of trail. Blue for beginners, red for intermediate and black for advanced; the course caters for everyone from novice to riders at competition standard.
Olympic Legacy
All the circuits surround the iconic velodrome, which houses the famous 250m track where Britain’s cycling heroes took home seven of the available 10 Olympic gold medals and won 18 Paralympic medals.There were over 50 records broken; including 10 world records, which to date makes it officially the fastest track in the world.
Sir Chris Hoy and Team GB were consulted during its construction to ensure the best conditions for athletes were created.
Lee Valley VeloPark was officially launched by ambassadors Laura Trott, OBE, Olympic double gold medallist and Mark Colbourne, MBE, Paralympic gold and double silver medallist.
Mark commented: “It was just such a great moment. I remember looking up into the crowd and seeing the people and the colours and hearing the cheers. It was great to walk back in and get those flashbacks.”
On her return to the venue, Laura said: “It’s a great felling [coming back]…To see the facilities completely different is weird, but to have all the disciplines in one place is fantastic.”
Catering for riders of all abilities, legacy will be at the heart of Lee Valley VeloPark. A range of programmes and events will be on offer, from grassroots to elite, to build on the sport’s success during London 2012 and continue the cycling momentum sweeping the nation.
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority has been working closely with British Cycling, cycling groups, local authorities and sports charities to ensure that this world class venue can be enjoyed by all.
Visitors can join taster session with coaching or simply pay and ride. Bike, helmet and show hire is available, but visitors are welcome to bring their own as long as they are clean of dirt and fit for purpose.
Specific programmes will include targeted cycling initiatives aimed at women and people aged over 50, Bikeability – the cycling proficiency for the 21st Century - and toddlers’ sessions.
There will also be brand new health initiatives to get the local community active and recreational cycling sessions starting at Lee Valley VeloPark and continuing further into the 26 mile long, 10,000 acre Lee Valley Regional Park.
Talent identification will uncover future cycling stars, with special sessions held at schools to identify those with the skills to race at higher levels and potentially become the champions of tomorrow.
