Join us for a very unique extreme event at Hadleigh Castle Country Park. The London 2012 Olympic Mountain Bike cross country races took place at the country park on the purposely built mountain biking track that this event will focus around. Since the Olympics, the track has been adapted for use by the public to include a wider network of trails to suit a range of users.
A small section of the extreme Olympic track
Along with the track upgrade, work is under way for some fantastic new visitor facilities and business units to be constructed which will be ready in time for the event as well as a car park suitable for 400 cars.
We are planning some fun Wherigos for the event including an extreme one which requires cachers to navigate the colossal course by bike in order to complete it. The course is certainly not for the feint hearted and you'll need a very good level of fitness to be able to ride on it. Other caches will be available for attendees not able to attempt the Olympic course and there are also some great family friendly, safer routes around the park so the event can still be enjoyed by families. Dogs are also welcome to the event, but must be kept under control. The earthcache event will be running at exactly the same times as the extreme event, so those who don't fancy mountain biking can attend the earthcache event instead.
There is a small parking charge for parking in Hadleigh country park. If you will be attending several of the events during Mega Week hosted in Essex Country Parks (Rocky Ride Extreme, Glaciers and Gruffalos, The Highwayman's Horror, Mersea Day, Cudmore Grove CITO) you can save money for purchasing a car parking ticket for just £10 which is valid for the whole of Mega Week. This also entitles you to visit any other Essex Country Parks during the week. Click here to reserve your parking ticket.
Along with the Olympic course there is a practice track where bikers can practice tackling some of the obstacles that are encountered on the course. There is also a short BMX course, a tandem circuit and an easier circuit.
Have a go at navigating some of the obstacles on the practice track.
If you can't bring a bike to the event then don't worry, you'll be able to hire one there so that you can still join in with the fun. There are also shower facilities and bike wash facilities (small charges apply) to freshen up at the end of the event.
Make sure you log your will attend and maybe you'll get a nice treat at the end!
(Subject to availability)
Code of Conduct:
All riders following the Olympic track must adhere to the following rules:
- Please ensure your bike is in good working order and suitable for the trails.
- We recommend that you lower your seat as this will help control your bike.
- Helmets must be worn at all times. Gloves and other protective gear are recommended.
- Please keep to the marked trail and only ride officially marked trails.
- Always ride within your ability and keep your bike under control.
- Be courteous and respect other trail users.
- Allow plenty of space between riders on the technical trail features.
- Riders ahead of you have right of way.
- Carry a puncture repair kit, tool kit and first aid kit at all times and know how to use them.
- Respect other site users and the environment.
Hadleigh Country Park,
Chapel La,
Hadleigh,
Benfleet
SS7 2PP
Between 10.30am and 1.30pm on Wednesday 29th July 2015