Rickmansworth School takes on world’s best cycling venue at Schools Festival

London 2012’s sporting legacy was highlighted again on 21 September as hundreds of young people including students from Rickmansworth School enjoyed cycling for free at Lee Valley VeloPark during its second annual Schools Festival.

The students were joined on the venue’s road circuit by Three Rivers District Councillor and Lead Member for Leisure, Arts and Wellbeing Chris Lloyd who is a former pupil of the school.

The world’s best cycling venue, on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, invited secondary school students from every London borough as well as all districts in Hertfordshire and Essex to cycle in the tracks of sporting legends like Sir Bradley Wiggins and Laura Trott.

Lee Valley VeloPark is the only place where riders can tackle track cycling, BMX, road and mountain biking in one location and the youngsters were able to experience all four cycling disciplines during an action packed day.

Paul Osborn, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority Chairman said: “We fund these Schools Festivals to give young people from across the region the chance to try sports for free in our inspirational venues. In 2015 alone over 1,000 young people will have taken part in our Schools Festivals.

“There is no better place in the world to try track, BMX, mountain biking or road cycling than Lee Valley VeloPark which saw so much glory during London 2012, and we hope that many of the visitors will be inspired to continue cycling.

“These students join almost other 40,000 participants who have been introduced to track cycling here since the venue was re-opened to the public.

“Major events held here including the UCI Track Cycling World Cup, Revolution Series and Sir Bradley Wiggins’ amazing Hour Record have provided unforgettable moments.

“With the UCI Track Cycling World Championships being held at Lee Valley VeloPark in March and of course Rio 2016 next summer we want to give as many young people as possible the chance to cycle here.”

The Lee Valley VeloPark Schools Festival was hosted by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority in partnership with the venue operators Lee Valley Leisure Trust.

Rickmansworth School Teacher, Mrs Cox said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to experience the facility used for London 2012. As a result of this we’re looking to bring another group here for our activity week in July.”

Lee Valley Regional Park Authority’s other London 2012 legacy venues, Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, which is also in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Lee Valley White Water Centre in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire also hold annual Schools Festivals.

Lee Valley VeloPark is located on Abercrombie Road, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London E20 3AB.

For more information go to:  www.visitleevalley.org.uk/velopark