Travel tips for the Hadleigh Farm Mountain Biking Event
With days to go before The Salvation Army hosts the eagerly awaited Olympic Mountain Biking Competition at Hadleigh Farm, keep in mind that travelling to the Essex venue could be a little hectic.
To ensure your journey is as smooth as it can be and your experience is as memorable as possible, here are some travel tips provided by LOCOG (London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games)
The event
The Mountain Biking women’s event will take place on 11 August and the men’s event on 12 August. There are 80 athletes in total – including 50 men and 30 women. There are no heats and in both events, all competitors start together. The first rider to cross the finish line wins the gold medal.
To make sure you don’t miss out on any of the events, you should aim to be at Hadleigh Farm early as gates open 2.5 hours before the competition.
Remember to Tweet your pictures of the spectacular event using #hadleighfarm and @salvationarmyuk.
The venue
The only way to pay is by Visa (debit, credit or prepaid card) or cash.
There are no ATM cash machines available at your venue.
From healthy and filling meals to tasty treats, there is a great variety of food and drink available to buy inside the venue.
There are also restrictions on what you can bring into the venue. For more information on safety and security, visit the LOCOG website.
Remember that Hadleigh Farm is an outdoor venue so it is essential that you are prepared for the challenging terrain and all weather conditions by bringing suitable and sturdy footwear and clothing.
[Click on the image below for a full map of the venue]
Getting to Hadleigh by car
There is no spectator parking at the venue or around Hadleigh except for pre-booked blue badge parking. Park-and-ride sites are available for Hadleigh Farm. This service is not included in the price of your event ticket and must be booked in advance.
Getting to Hadleigh by rail
Your ticket will have come with a Games Travelcard which allows you to travel between London and Hadleigh by National Rail and public transport between zones 1-9 on the day of the event. The recommended station is Leigh-on-Sea – followed by a free shuttle bus or around 40-minute walk to the venue (mostly off-road on farm tracks).
There are direct train services to Leigh-on-Sea station from London Fenchurch Street. The Games Travelcard is valid for travel between London and Leigh-on-Sea on the day of your event. It will be very busy so make sure you allow plenty of time to beat the crowds.
Getting to Hadleigh by bus
Local buses stop outside Hadleigh Church at the top of Castle Lane.
Getting to Hadleigh by bicycle
Free, secure, managed cycle parking will be provided at the venue, and there are a number of off-road cycle routes to the south of the venue that provide access from the east and west. Please bring your own cycle lock.
If you’re thinking of cycling, why not join a 2012 Games guided cycle ride. These rides offer an opportunity to travel with an experienced ride leader, on audited routes. The rides are up to an hour long and are suitable for families. You’ll need your own bike but the rides are free. Click here to find out more and reserve your place.
There will be a free cycle maintenance service at the spectator cycle parking area. Just turn up with your bike and the experienced bike mechanics will carry out minor repairs to help get you back on the road. You’ll need to pay for any parts needed but labour is free. The service will be available on both competition days from 9am – 4pm.
Bike locks will not be provided at the venue so remember to bring one with you.
Walk to Hadleigh Farm
If you live locally, walking to Hadleigh Farm may be quicker than you think. There are a number of walking journey planners available online to help you plan your journey by foot.
If you have a 2012 ticket or simply want to get closer to the action then the Ramblers can help you.
The Ramblers are offering walks start which start at Benfleet station (the stop before Leigh-on-Sea) and follow a scenic route through Hadleigh Park with stunning views over the estuary and up to the historic Hadleigh Castle. And if you want to make the most of your event, the Rambler's are also running return walks from Hadleigh to Benfleet station after the events.
Everyone is welcome, either book online or turn up on Saturday and Sunday at the times below.
Remember to Tweet your pictures of the Hadleigh walks to @salvationarmyuk.
Saturday 11 August -Benfleet to Hadleigh Farm (9:15 - 11:00) 3 miles
Saturday 11 August - Hadleigh Farm to Benfleet (15:15 - 17:00) 3 miles
Sunday 12 August -Benfleet to Hadleigh Farm (9:45 - 12:00) 3 miles
Sunday 12 August - Hadleigh Farm to Benfleet (16:15 - 18:00) 3 miles