The best place in the world to cycle? We certainly think so! We’re marking 10 years since this iconic venue opened to the public back in 2014. Since then more than 740,000 people have cycled here taking advantage of truly world class facilities in London’s beautiful Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
We’re the only place in the world where you can do track, BMX, road and mountain biking – and there’s a new reason to visit as we’ve just opened a brand new gym.
Born out of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority’s 2003 vision to deliver a wonderful cycling venue as part of a “Zone of Sporting Excellence” in the Lee Valley, our plans were incorporated into the London Olympic bid and we oversaw every stage of Lee Valley VeloPark’s design to ensure that this stunning venue was perfect for legacy.
To mark 10 years since we threw the doors open, here’s 10 things that sum up what Lee Valley VeloPark is all about.
1. London 2012 Games
Were you lucky enough to get to the velodrome during London 2012? It was the fastest selling ticket of the Games! The electric atmosphere helped Team GB and ParalympicsGB dominate the field and excel, winning an unprecedented 24 medals. Sellout crowds saw Chris Hoy, Laura Kenny (née Trott), Mark Colbourne, Sarah Storey and Neil Fachie among many other household names show what British athletes could do. Just next door, the Olympic BMX track saw some great adrenalin fuelled action too.
2. Transformation and public opening to the public
Our team made sure that Lee Valley VeloPark (along with the nearby Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, and Lee Valley White Water Centre in Hertfordshire) had its post Olympics legacy use designed in from the very start. We had the Olympic BMX track modified so that mere mortals could ride it and added a one mile road circuit and five miles of mountain bike trails, this makes Lee Valley VeloPark the only place in the world where you can do these four forms of cycling in one place. We opened with some big name athletes at the grand finale of the Revolution Series, then threw our doors open to legions of cyclists who have taken on the four circuits.
3. It’s all about the numbers
Legacy has always been our big focus – and we’re proud to say that since opening:
740,000 people have cycled here
We’ve given away 5,800 free event tickets for community groups
Over 4,000 people have participated in free funded programmes
5,000 school children ride every year
We’ve hosted 18 major international events
4. Delivering community focused programmes
While we have had a very successful track record of commercial hires, team building days and the hire of meeting space – and are now even home to a university - 90% of the cycling programme is reserved for communities, schools and clubs making this state of the art venue accessible to everyone.
Lee Valley VeloPark works with social enterprise Bikeworks to offer all ability cycling sessions and with the support of funding from Lee Valley Regional Park Authority’s Community Access Fund and Active Communities Grants scheme and we run sessions for groups who might not be able to afford to ride or may not think cycling is for them. Find out more about our funding programmes.
5. Running an extensive cycling activity programme
With four cycling disciplines in one location there’s a diverse programme on offer whether you’re looking to tackle the velodrome track, the bumps and berms of the BMX, take on mountain bike trails or ride the traffic free road circuit. There’s even toddler sessions so that children as young as two can learn to ride. Find out more.
6. Invictus Games 2014
It was quite a moment when the Invictus Games held their inaugural event at Lee Valley VeloPark. The road circuit came alive with veterans battling it out for their team and country with Prince Harry watching on. Like us, these Games are also celebrating their 10 year anniversary this year.
7. Making history with events
Our event pedigree is undisputed – not only have Olympians and Paralympians graced our velodrome track but World Champions and Commonwealth Games medalists have too. With the fastest track in the world you can see why all the best want to race here. When we hosted the track cycling events for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games we made history becoming the only venue to have hosted an Olympics, Paralympics, World Championship and Commonwealth Games in the same sport. And we’ve got our share of world records too, in 2015 Bradley Wiggins smashed the hour record by cycling 33.88 miles in 60 minutes!
8. UCI Track Champions League
You can see that holding major events is in our DNA and we’ve hosted the grand finale of the UCI Track Champions League since 2021 where the 6,000 seater velodrome is packed to the rafters. We make free community tickets available bringing this top flight track cycling event to communities across the region, inspiring generations of cyclists. Image credit: SWpix.com.
9. What does the shape of the velodrome remind you of?
Have you ever looked at the shape of the velodrome and compared it to a popular snack? Well you’re not the only one. It was nicknamed the Pringle as soon as it was built and the company used it as the backdrop for a spectacular promotional light show back in February 2022.
10. We’re not done yet!
The venue may be well established with its cycling roots firmly embedded however we’re not standing still. We constantly invest in the venue to keep it at the top of its game – two years ago installing £600,000 worth of LED lights to reduce energy consumption. Our latest investment landed on 1 May - a brand new gym and fitness studios. Next stop is new meeting spaces overlooking the track.
Comments