Cyclists warned not to attempt Hadleigh's Olympic mountain biking course

5:16pm Saturday 21st May 2011 in Castle Point

A WARNING has been issued to cyclists and parents about the dangers of trying to ride Hadleigh's Olympic mountain biking course.

Police are concerned people are trying to ride parts of the course, which is in Hadleigh farm country park, and have issued a warning advising against this.

The course, which will be used in next year's Olympics, is fenced off and has signs from police and security teams warning it would be dangerous for anyone to try and ride it.

Safety measures such as wooden barriers have also been installed on parts of the track to prevent this.

Parents are also warned to advise their children not to go to the course or try to ride it.

Sgt Chris Bramhill, from the police cycle team, said: "We don't want anyone getting injured in the run up to the Olympics and we will be patrolling the area at regular intervals."

Comments (38)

6:15pm Sat 21 May 11

emcee says...

Ps Chris Brammel, from the police cycle team, said: "We don't want anyone getting injured in the run up to the Olympics and we will be patrolling the area at regular intervals."
-
It would be nice to see the police just as committed to actually patrolling the streets.
Ps Chris Brammel, from the police cycle team, said: "We don't want anyone getting injured in the run up to the Olympics and we will be patrolling the area at regular intervals." - It would be nice to see the police just as committed to actually patrolling the streets. emcee

6:29pm Sat 21 May 11

el caballero de la noche says...

emcee wrote:
Ps Chris Brammel, from the police cycle team, said: "We don't want anyone getting injured in the run up to the Olympics and we will be patrolling the area at regular intervals."
-
It would be nice to see the police just as committed to actually patrolling the streets.
Pick, pick, pick Give them a bloody break they are dammed if they do and dammed if they don't.

They have the Government on their backs which is enough to p155 anyone off.

Anti Police people should look at themselves first that will give the Police a break.
[quote][p][bold]emcee[/bold] wrote: Ps Chris Brammel, from the police cycle team, said: "We don't want anyone getting injured in the run up to the Olympics and we will be patrolling the area at regular intervals." - It would be nice to see the police just as committed to actually patrolling the streets.[/p][/quote]Pick, pick, pick Give them a bloody break they are dammed if they do and dammed if they don't. They have the Government on their backs which is enough to p155 anyone off. Anti Police people should look at themselves first that will give the Police a break. el caballero de la noche

7:16pm Sat 21 May 11

Mary Lou says...

If cyclists want to break their necks then let them. Thier mangled bodies can be collected on a periodic basis. I rather have the police patrol the streets where muggers, drug dealers and other such criminals roam.
.
Do I want them patrolling a cycle track NO !!!!!!
If cyclists want to break their necks then let them. Thier mangled bodies can be collected on a periodic basis. I rather have the police patrol the streets where muggers, drug dealers and other such criminals roam. . Do I want them patrolling a cycle track NO !!!!!! Mary Lou

7:45pm Sat 21 May 11

shrman says...

i would rather they set up shop in sutton road or hamlet court :)
i would rather they set up shop in sutton road or hamlet court :) shrman

8:55pm Sat 21 May 11

midgetman says...

" If cyclists want to break their necks then let them. Thier mangled bodies can be collected on a periodic basis. I rather have the police patrol the streets where muggers, drug dealers and other such criminals roam.
"
Too right, if they either cant read or ignore the warning signs then they deserve everything that happens, but then no doubt the claims will follow.
" If cyclists want to break their necks then let them. Thier mangled bodies can be collected on a periodic basis. I rather have the police patrol the streets where muggers, drug dealers and other such criminals roam. " Too right, if they either cant read or ignore the warning signs then they deserve everything that happens, but then no doubt the claims will follow. midgetman

8:56pm Sat 21 May 11

jolllyboy says...

We always said that cyclists etc would use this out of hours and cause problems to the neighbourhood. No surprise then. My sympathies with the locals.
We always said that cyclists etc would use this out of hours and cause problems to the neighbourhood. No surprise then. My sympathies with the locals. jolllyboy

9:45pm Sat 21 May 11

el caballero de la noche says...

Moan, moan, moan

Kids have the natural right to enjoy themselves and danger is part of the thrill with some kids.
As for locals get bloody real there are no locals or neighbours anywhere near that track.
And that area has been used for years by mountain bikers even at night when they use LED lights strapped to their heads.

Great course get facility and the people that live near the track in Chapel Lane are used to visitors using the country park.

Moan, moan, moan.

Blame the Politicians for the state of the country but at least they have also worked hard to get this facility.
Moan, moan, moan Kids have the natural right to enjoy themselves and danger is part of the thrill with some kids. As for locals get bloody real there are no locals or neighbours anywhere near that track. And that area has been used for years by mountain bikers even at night when they use LED lights strapped to their heads. Great course get facility and the people that live near the track in Chapel Lane are used to visitors using the country park. Moan, moan, moan. Blame the Politicians for the state of the country but at least they have also worked hard to get this facility. el caballero de la noche

11:37pm Sat 21 May 11

Nebs says...

Are the Olympic Committee paying for this additional Police time, or are we paying for them?
Are the Olympic Committee paying for this additional Police time, or are we paying for them? Nebs

2:31am Sun 22 May 11

emcee says...

el caballero de la noche wrote:
emcee wrote:
Ps Chris Brammel, from the police cycle team, said: "We don't want anyone getting injured in the run up to the Olympics and we will be patrolling the area at regular intervals."
-
It would be nice to see the police just as committed to actually patrolling the streets.
Pick, pick, pick Give them a bloody break they are dammed if they do and dammed if they don't.

They have the Government on their backs which is enough to p155 anyone off.

Anti Police people should look at themselves first that will give the Police a break.
The problem is that police are no longer a deterrent because they do not do patrols and in the numbers they need to. It's all well and good saying give them a break but crime prevention must be more cost effective than letting the crimes happen in the first place (causing loss to the victim) then trying to catch/deal with the criminals.
A bit of proper resource management will save a fortune in the long run and if they stopped spending their time patrolling sites that, quite frankly, should have private security patrolling rather than police, then they would have even more of these resources to patrol the streets.
It's not about giving police a break, it's about getting the police to understand that they need to manage their resources better because at the moment I feel the police service is a far cry from what it should be and what it has been in the past.
[quote][p][bold]el caballero de la noche[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]emcee[/bold] wrote: Ps Chris Brammel, from the police cycle team, said: "We don't want anyone getting injured in the run up to the Olympics and we will be patrolling the area at regular intervals." - It would be nice to see the police just as committed to actually patrolling the streets.[/p][/quote]Pick, pick, pick Give them a bloody break they are dammed if they do and dammed if they don't. They have the Government on their backs which is enough to p155 anyone off. Anti Police people should look at themselves first that will give the Police a break.[/p][/quote]The problem is that police are no longer a deterrent because they do not do patrols and in the numbers they need to. It's all well and good saying give them a break but crime prevention must be more cost effective than letting the crimes happen in the first place (causing loss to the victim) then trying to catch/deal with the criminals. A bit of proper resource management will save a fortune in the long run and if they stopped spending their time patrolling sites that, quite frankly, should have private security patrolling rather than police, then they would have even more of these resources to patrol the streets. It's not about giving police a break, it's about getting the police to understand that they need to manage their resources better because at the moment I feel the police service is a far cry from what it should be and what it has been in the past. emcee

8:29am Sun 22 May 11

radioman says...

DSoes this warning also apply to the contestants?
DSoes this warning also apply to the contestants? radioman

9:09am Sun 22 May 11

Mary Lou says...

Just a thought. We are told that Olympic sites are an asset to the community after the event is over. So having spent a shed load of cash on a cycle track which should not be used by Joe Public as it is dangerous, do we have to guard it night and day post the Olympics.
.
Perhaps we will have to pay another shed load of cash to dismantle. Maybe we can store it with the millenium clock and other assorted bric brac?
Just a thought. We are told that Olympic sites are an asset to the community after the event is over. So having spent a shed load of cash on a cycle track which should not be used by Joe Public as it is dangerous, do we have to guard it night and day post the Olympics. . Perhaps we will have to pay another shed load of cash to dismantle. Maybe we can store it with the millenium clock and other assorted bric brac? Mary Lou

11:10am Sun 22 May 11

el caballero de la noche says...

This column is read by people who have no knowledge about the area, I really believe that if you was to see the site you would have a different view.

And for those that are worried, note well the same site was used 40 odd years ago for moto cross and was just as dangerous then like it is now but we did not get all the over the top worrying about the dangers we actually enjoyed life without all the cr8p we get these days,on health and safety.

NEBs believe me the Police really do not need to patrol the course to prevent injuries just purely to deter damage to the course and to the farm which has always suffered,
but now has CCTV which helps detect and deter.

As for more REAL Police patrolling more often take a look at Essex Police Web site Southend area and see how many plastic PCSO's are stationed in the area it really is quite shocking to see how many and actually know what little deterrent or especially detection value they serve.

The Police do need a shake up, get rid of non effective discredited PCSO's if as all their supporters continue to justify their existence by saying they are the ears and eyes of the Police will fine get rid of them recruit more Specials and they do the same job BUT BETTER with more powers, work after 9pm and cost nothing.
This column is read by people who have no knowledge about the area, I really believe that if you was to see the site you would have a different view. And for those that are worried, note well the same site was used 40 odd years ago for moto cross and was just as dangerous then like it is now but we did not get all the over the top worrying about the dangers we actually enjoyed life without all the cr8p we get these days,on health and safety. NEBs believe me the Police really do not need to patrol the course to prevent injuries just purely to deter damage to the course and to the farm which has always suffered, but now has CCTV which helps detect and deter. As for more REAL Police patrolling more often take a look at Essex Police Web site Southend area and see how many plastic PCSO's are stationed in the area it really is quite shocking to see how many and actually know what little deterrent or especially detection value they serve. The Police do need a shake up, get rid of non effective discredited PCSO's if as all their supporters continue to justify their existence by saying they are the ears and eyes of the Police will fine get rid of them recruit more Specials and they do the same job BUT BETTER with more powers, work after 9pm and cost nothing. el caballero de la noche

11:52am Sun 22 May 11

Mark D says...

I am a keen cyclist (mainly road, but also have a mountain bike), but my girlfriend had already banned me from riding the course at Hadleigh, because it looked too dangerous.
I am a keen cyclist (mainly road, but also have a mountain bike), but my girlfriend had already banned me from riding the course at Hadleigh, because it looked too dangerous. Mark D

12:12pm Sun 22 May 11

maddriver says...

I rather tend to think that "regular patrols" will be nothing more than an occasional look when they are in that area, the same as "regular patrols" are used in the streets.
I rather tend to think that "regular patrols" will be nothing more than an occasional look when they are in that area, the same as "regular patrols" are used in the streets. maddriver

5:18pm Sun 22 May 11

Aint it just the truth says...

"And for those that are worried, note well the same site was used 40 odd years ago for moto cross and was just as dangerous then like it is now but we did not get all the over the top worrying about the dangers we actually enjoyed life without all the cr8p we get these days,on health and safety".
::
Blimey, do I actually find myself in agreement with El Cabbie for a change?!
::
We were banned from using the moto cross track 40 years ago, but that didn't stop us riding round it at every opportunity, until the farmer chased us off! And did any of us get hurt? No! Because contrary to popular beleif most tennagers are quite capable of judging what they can handle and what they can't.
"And for those that are worried, note well the same site was used 40 odd years ago for moto cross and was just as dangerous then like it is now but we did not get all the over the top worrying about the dangers we actually enjoyed life without all the cr8p we get these days,on health and safety". :: Blimey, do I actually find myself in agreement with El Cabbie for a change?! :: We were banned from using the moto cross track 40 years ago, but that didn't stop us riding round it at every opportunity, until the farmer chased us off! And did any of us get hurt? No! Because contrary to popular beleif most tennagers are quite capable of judging what they can handle and what they can't. Aint it just the truth

7:51am Mon 23 May 11

carnac says...

Mark D wrote:
I am a keen cyclist (mainly road, but also have a mountain bike), but my girlfriend had already banned me from riding the course at Hadleigh, because it looked too dangerous.
Whats it like being under the thumb, Ive always wondered............
...
[quote][p][bold]Mark D[/bold] wrote: I am a keen cyclist (mainly road, but also have a mountain bike), but my girlfriend had already banned me from riding the course at Hadleigh, because it looked too dangerous.[/p][/quote]Whats it like being under the thumb, Ive always wondered............ ... carnac

7:55am Mon 23 May 11

Mark D says...

What's it like having no sense of humour, and being a complete dullard?
What's it like having no sense of humour, and being a complete dullard? Mark D

9:22am Mon 23 May 11

DCLEIGH says...

Nice advert to the morons who will now 'ave a go.
Nice advert to the morons who will now 'ave a go. DCLEIGH

10:28am Mon 23 May 11

andy:) says...

I must admit I have already had a go on the track and its very impressive.

The comments by the authorities are rather patronising though, yes, it is challanging and could be dangerous but so is any sport/activity, it certainly isnt as dangerous as mountain bike courses in places such as Morzine, Lets Gets, Whistler, etc where thousands of people ride and yes no doubt there are injuries, but thats life, its not without risk !

Personally Im more worried that the police appear to take 'preventing injuries' a priority, one only has to read through the Echo last week to see a catalouge of muggings and assaults, surely police resources would be spent on actually preventing/detecting crime.

Additionally it would appear that the mountain bike course has now be made unrideable due to wooden fences being put up every few yards (as seen in the pic) so having police there is a waste of time, I also notice that even parts of the track that are in the public hadleigh castle park have had the same treatment.

So he end result is that a lovely course is going to sit unused for the next year or so and then be used for 2 days, before being destroyed, I doubt whether anything will be left, the deatils of the 'legacy' have been very sketchy so far.
I must admit I have already had a go on the track and its very impressive. The comments by the authorities are rather patronising though, yes, it is challanging and could be dangerous but so is any sport/activity, it certainly isnt as dangerous as mountain bike courses in places such as Morzine, Lets Gets, Whistler, etc where thousands of people ride and yes no doubt there are injuries, but thats life, its not without risk ! Personally Im more worried that the police appear to take 'preventing injuries' a priority, one only has to read through the Echo last week to see a catalouge of muggings and assaults, surely police resources would be spent on actually preventing/detecting crime. Additionally it would appear that the mountain bike course has now be made unrideable due to wooden fences being put up every few yards (as seen in the pic) so having police there is a waste of time, I also notice that even parts of the track that are in the public hadleigh castle park have had the same treatment. So he end result is that a lovely course is going to sit unused for the next year or so and then be used for 2 days, before being destroyed, I doubt whether anything will be left, the deatils of the 'legacy' have been very sketchy so far. andy:)

10:29am Mon 23 May 11

bob64 says...

This is a joke - isn't the whole point of the olympics to get young people into competitive sport? This trail is no more dangerous than riding a steep hill, and not a patch on trails in all over the country - wales, peaks, etc. typical health & safety do-gooders missing the point entirely, and stopping enthusiasts from using the facilities that we're all paying for.
I say again - what is the point? arrghh!
This is a joke - isn't the whole point of the olympics to get young people into competitive sport? This trail is no more dangerous than riding a steep hill, and not a patch on trails in all over the country - wales, peaks, etc. typical health & safety do-gooders missing the point entirely, and stopping enthusiasts from using the facilities that we're all paying for. I say again - what is the point? arrghh! bob64

11:46am Mon 23 May 11

emcee says...

The more I read the more I think the whole "dangerous" stance is a ploy to try and put people off "spoling" the course before the Olympics. I think they want it all looking shiny and new for the two days next year rather than having it look tatty and used. It also saves on maintenance costs if they keep it unused by the public.
The more I read the more I think the whole "dangerous" stance is a ploy to try and put people off "spoling" the course before the Olympics. I think they want it all looking shiny and new for the two days next year rather than having it look tatty and used. It also saves on maintenance costs if they keep it unused by the public. emcee

12:00pm Mon 23 May 11

buckleberry says...

From the video footage on BikeRadar, the course certainly does look much better than I thought it ever would, but as for dangerous? It probably could be to those the haven't ridden what I would call proper off-road places like at Coed-y-Brenin or Afan in Wales. Christ alone knows what would happen if the mountain biking was held there! But then again, the locals would probably be more used to it given the overall terrain of the area. I can't wait to have a blast around Hadleigh once they decide what parts they are going to leave behind as the legacy.
From the video footage on BikeRadar, the course certainly does look much better than I thought it ever would, but as for dangerous? It probably could be to those the haven't ridden what I would call proper off-road places like at Coed-y-Brenin or Afan in Wales. Christ alone knows what would happen if the mountain biking was held there! But then again, the locals would probably be more used to it given the overall terrain of the area. I can't wait to have a blast around Hadleigh once they decide what parts they are going to leave behind as the legacy. buckleberry

12:09pm Mon 23 May 11

andy:) says...

emcee wrote:
The more I read the more I think the whole "dangerous" stance is a ploy to try and put people off "spoling" the course before the Olympics. I think they want it all looking shiny and new for the two days next year rather than having it look tatty and used. It also saves on maintenance costs if they keep it unused by the public.
I think youve hit the nail on the head !.

As for dangerous, well, none of the course is very steep, compared to other long mountain bike runs, however it does have a lot of rocks/boulders on it and theses would cause a nice bit of injury shopuld you fall on them, incidently its strange to see that most XC riders that have/will be riding it are completely without protection apart from a basic helmet, personally id be wearing at least knee pads and a full face helmet.

As for the legacy, if it's deemed too dangerous now for us mere mortals then you can gaureentee there will be little if anything left after the Olympics, I suspect the Sally Army will want the whole place restored to how it was before, i.e unused and boring, as opposed to opening up their land to hordes of mountain bikers, a real pity.

Andy
[quote][p][bold]emcee[/bold] wrote: The more I read the more I think the whole "dangerous" stance is a ploy to try and put people off "spoling" the course before the Olympics. I think they want it all looking shiny and new for the two days next year rather than having it look tatty and used. It also saves on maintenance costs if they keep it unused by the public.[/p][/quote]I think youve hit the nail on the head !. As for dangerous, well, none of the course is very steep, compared to other long mountain bike runs, however it does have a lot of rocks/boulders on it and theses would cause a nice bit of injury shopuld you fall on them, incidently its strange to see that most XC riders that have/will be riding it are completely without protection apart from a basic helmet, personally id be wearing at least knee pads and a full face helmet. As for the legacy, if it's deemed too dangerous now for us mere mortals then you can gaureentee there will be little if anything left after the Olympics, I suspect the Sally Army will want the whole place restored to how it was before, i.e unused and boring, as opposed to opening up their land to hordes of mountain bikers, a real pity. Andy andy:)

8:39am Tue 24 May 11

DCLEIGH says...

bob64 wrote:
This is a joke - isn't the whole point of the olympics to get young people into competitive sport? This trail is no more dangerous than riding a steep hill, and not a patch on trails in all over the country - wales, peaks, etc. typical health & safety do-gooders missing the point entirely, and stopping enthusiasts from using the facilities that we're all paying for.
I say again - what is the point? arrghh!
I apologise for my earlier, cynical posting.
.
The post above has made me realise that I was wrong and that the course, if sustainable, should be open for all to use.
.
Because the legacy and "the whole point" is to get people into sports, this is essential.
.
If the course would be damaged, then they have a year to relay and repair a course fit for the purpose.
.
Perhaps a small, local referendum could be held to see if there is any deisre for a permanent facility to promote the health of the nation.
[quote][p][bold]bob64[/bold] wrote: This is a joke - isn't the whole point of the olympics to get young people into competitive sport? This trail is no more dangerous than riding a steep hill, and not a patch on trails in all over the country - wales, peaks, etc. typical health & safety do-gooders missing the point entirely, and stopping enthusiasts from using the facilities that we're all paying for. I say again - what is the point? arrghh![/p][/quote]I apologise for my earlier, cynical posting. . The post above has made me realise that I was wrong and that the course, if sustainable, should be open for all to use. . Because the legacy and "the whole point" is to get people into sports, this is essential. . If the course would be damaged, then they have a year to relay and repair a course fit for the purpose. . Perhaps a small, local referendum could be held to see if there is any deisre for a permanent facility to promote the health of the nation. DCLEIGH

9:35am Tue 24 May 11

r6keith says...

Why bother patroling at all what law is some one breaking using a faciltiy in a public area.Warning signs about the possible dangers should surfice.Lets live in the fast lane some time in our life.
Why bother patroling at all what law is some one breaking using a faciltiy in a public area.Warning signs about the possible dangers should surfice.Lets live in the fast lane some time in our life. r6keith

9:39am Tue 24 May 11

bob64 says...

DCLEIGH respect to you for taking a new view on it - a lot of people these days seem to think its a sign of weakness, but actually its a sign of strength.
I was thinking one of the cycling groups should contact the olympic organising committee. I wonder what their views would be, given they have obtained funding on the basis of the "lasting legacy". Surely they would want to ensure people can use it, and publicise the fact that it is already benefitting the local community.
DCLEIGH respect to you for taking a new view on it - a lot of people these days seem to think its a sign of weakness, but actually its a sign of strength. I was thinking one of the cycling groups should contact the olympic organising committee. I wonder what their views would be, given they have obtained funding on the basis of the "lasting legacy". Surely they would want to ensure people can use it, and publicise the fact that it is already benefitting the local community. bob64

3:49pm Tue 24 May 11

ShoeburyCyclist says...

Dangerous?

http://youtu.be/IOZV
Y7bCS_8

;)
Dangerous? http://youtu.be/IOZV Y7bCS_8 ;) ShoeburyCyclist

6:15pm Tue 24 May 11

Mark D says...

ShoeburyCyclist wrote:
Dangerous?

http://youtu.be/IOZV

Y7bCS_8

;)
I tried but got the error message:


"The URL contained a malformed video ID."
[quote][p][bold]ShoeburyCyclist[/bold] wrote: Dangerous? http://youtu.be/IOZV Y7bCS_8 ;)[/p][/quote]I tried but got the error message: "The URL contained a malformed video ID." Mark D

6:56pm Tue 24 May 11

ShoeburyCyclist says...

Mark D wrote:
ShoeburyCyclist wrote:
Dangerous?

http://youtu.be/IOZV


Y7bCS_8

;)
I tried but got the error message:


"The URL contained a malformed video ID."
Try this: http://tinyurl.com/n
lb74x

when you paste the url into your address bar make sure there are no '?' in it. They sometimes appear because the url gets broken in these silly little narrow columns this website uses.
[quote][p][bold]Mark D[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]ShoeburyCyclist[/bold] wrote: Dangerous? http://youtu.be/IOZV Y7bCS_8 ;)[/p][/quote]I tried but got the error message: "The URL contained a malformed video ID."[/p][/quote]Try this: http://tinyurl.com/n lb74x when you paste the url into your address bar make sure there are no '?' in it. They sometimes appear because the url gets broken in these silly little narrow columns this website uses. ShoeburyCyclist

7:49pm Tue 24 May 11

Mark D says...

Scary stuff. Though having said that, I didn't think the course looked all that difficult from a technical point of view (dare I say it, not as hard as the Hadleigh course, which in places is comprised of very jagged rocks), it was just that the cyclists would pay dearly for any mistakes.
Scary stuff. Though having said that, I didn't think the course looked all that difficult from a technical point of view (dare I say it, not as hard as the Hadleigh course, which in places is comprised of very jagged rocks), it was just that the cyclists would pay dearly for any mistakes. Mark D

10:30pm Tue 24 May 11

Nebs says...

Perhaps they could open the course to everyone, and as part of the legacy the Olympic committee could give us 2 more beds and a dozen chairs in A&E at Southend Hospital.
Perhaps they could open the course to everyone, and as part of the legacy the Olympic committee could give us 2 more beds and a dozen chairs in A&E at Southend Hospital. Nebs

8:55am Wed 25 May 11

bob64 says...

Nebs wrote:
Perhaps they could open the course to everyone, and as part of the legacy the Olympic committee could give us 2 more beds and a dozen chairs in A&E at Southend Hospital.
There are more visits to A&E each year due to scolds from hot kettles than due to offroad cycling. Would you ban the kettle?

It would actually be safest if we all stay at home all the time, but please no DIY (also a common cause of injury) and you shouldn't really use knives because they are really sharp. Not to mention how would you get your food because driving and crossing the road are also really, really dangerous.

Then again you probably shouldn't eat in case something gets stuck in your throat, and even if it doesn't it might lead to problems with digestion.

Basically whatever you do, we're all doomed. Or we can have fun while we're here and take a few knocks along the way.
[quote][p][bold]Nebs[/bold] wrote: Perhaps they could open the course to everyone, and as part of the legacy the Olympic committee could give us 2 more beds and a dozen chairs in A&E at Southend Hospital.[/p][/quote]There are more visits to A&E each year due to scolds from hot kettles than due to offroad cycling. Would you ban the kettle? It would actually be safest if we all stay at home all the time, but please no DIY (also a common cause of injury) and you shouldn't really use knives because they are really sharp. Not to mention how would you get your food because driving and crossing the road are also really, really dangerous. Then again you probably shouldn't eat in case something gets stuck in your throat, and even if it doesn't it might lead to problems with digestion. Basically whatever you do, we're all doomed. Or we can have fun while we're here and take a few knocks along the way. bob64

9:22am Wed 25 May 11

carnac says...

Mark D wrote:
Scary stuff. Though having said that, I didn't think the course looked all that difficult from a technical point of view (dare I say it, not as hard as the Hadleigh course, which in places is comprised of very jagged rocks), it was just that the cyclists would pay dearly for any mistakes.
Dont forget to ask your Girlfriend for permission, to go out on your bike today.

THIS is the Olympics you bunch of Numpties, what do you expect, cover the jagged rocks with protective matting???

The Police role here, is None of your business, keep your long noses out,go to Shepherds Bush
[quote][p][bold]Mark D[/bold] wrote: Scary stuff. Though having said that, I didn't think the course looked all that difficult from a technical point of view (dare I say it, not as hard as the Hadleigh course, which in places is comprised of very jagged rocks), it was just that the cyclists would pay dearly for any mistakes.[/p][/quote]Dont forget to ask your Girlfriend for permission, to go out on your bike today. THIS is the Olympics you bunch of Numpties, what do you expect, cover the jagged rocks with protective matting??? The Police role here, is None of your business, keep your long noses out,go to Shepherds Bush carnac

9:29am Wed 25 May 11

Mark D says...

It seems I have to explain everything to you. I actually made up the comment about my girlfriend, as am sure other readers already realised. And I don't see anyone suggesting that the jagged rocks should be covered.
It seems I have to explain everything to you. I actually made up the comment about my girlfriend, as am sure other readers already realised. And I don't see anyone suggesting that the jagged rocks should be covered. Mark D

1:41pm Wed 25 May 11

mr_happy says...

So what is a cycle track for if it cannot be used for cycling?
So what is a cycle track for if it cannot be used for cycling? mr_happy

8:11pm Wed 25 May 11

Coach Dave says...

This course is not especially difficult or dangerous. There are hundreds of trails ridden around the UK every day that are far more challenging - I was actually a bit shocked by how unchallenging it is when I got a close look at it this week.
Is it any wonder that we have an epidemic of obesity when youngsters are discouraged from participating in activities that we wouldn't have thought twice about in previous generations. No doubt there will be a wiiplayboxstation version that can be done whilst scoffing crisps. Which is worse - a scraped knee from falling off your bike or obesity and heart disease?
This course is not especially difficult or dangerous. There are hundreds of trails ridden around the UK every day that are far more challenging - I was actually a bit shocked by how unchallenging it is when I got a close look at it this week. Is it any wonder that we have an epidemic of obesity when youngsters are discouraged from participating in activities that we wouldn't have thought twice about in previous generations. No doubt there will be a wiiplayboxstation version that can be done whilst scoffing crisps. Which is worse - a scraped knee from falling off your bike or obesity and heart disease? Coach Dave

11:14am Thu 26 May 11

r6keith says...

This track should be opened for use but carry warning signs of the dangers and advice on what is the correct sort of safe riding gear to wear if you choose to use it.
This track should be opened for use but carry warning signs of the dangers and advice on what is the correct sort of safe riding gear to wear if you choose to use it. r6keith

3:38pm Fri 27 May 11

beardyman says...

I think I'd like to have a go. I have an old BSA three-wheeler, I,ve had it a while...which way is Hadleigh?
I think I'd like to have a go. I have an old BSA three-wheeler, I,ve had it a while...which way is Hadleigh? beardyman

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