With exactly two years until the start of London's Games, LEE MANNION discovers some gold medal venues

PULLING POWER
Inspired by the gold medal-winning exploits of Sirs Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent? Then head to Dorney Lake (01753 832756/www.dorneylake.co.uk) near Windsor, the setting for the hard-fought rowing events in 2012.
Running every Thursday over the summer, the Sunset Sculling class for novices and the proficient costs just £6.50 for up to two hours.

Take a guided tour of the Prime Minister's former school, Eton College (01753 671000/www.etoncollege.com), which owns the lake. By arrangement only, £6.20 per adult, children free. Enjoy a picnic in the shadow of nearby Windsor Castle, or the children may prefer a visit to Legoland on the outskirts of the town.

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STAY: Taplow House Hotel (01628 670056/ www.taplowhouse.com) is a fabulous Georgian country retreat 10 minutes from Windsor.

Doubles from £145 (two sharing), room only.

INFO: Windsor tourism: 01753 743900/www.windsor.gov.uk

PARK AND RIDE
The undulating 3.5-mile mountain bike course at Hadleigh Farm (01702 558550/www.hadleighfarm.co.uk) in Essex will be constructed especially for the Games but currently you can hack through the 387 acres of Hadleigh Castle Country Park next door.

Though they sit side by side, the farm is separate to the park and is home to a rare breeds centre. Once you've finished biking, Southendon-Sea, six miles away, has miles of glorious seafront and the longest pleasure pier in the world.

STAY: Roslin Beach Hotel (01702 586375/www.roslinhotel.com) is a pretty hotel in Thorpe Bay. Doubles from £95 (two sharing), B&B.

INFO: Southend tourism: 01702 618747/www.visitsouthend.co.uk

AN EVEN KEEL
Along with cycling and swimming, sailing is one of the mainstays of any British assault on the medal table. The National Sailing Academy (01305 866000/www.wpnsa.org.uk) on Portland, Dorset, is home to the British Olympic Sailing Team and will be hosting the sailing competitions in 2012.

A two-day Adult Introduction to Sailing course costs £180.

Once you've dried off, explore this unique isle, connected to Weymouth on the mainland by a causeway and the eastern extremes of 18-mile Chesil Beach.

Portland's micro-climate produces rare species of plants, which attract more than half of Britain's 57 butterfly species.

Weymouth, with its clean, golden beach and Georgian seafront, is an example of the traditional British seaside at its best.

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STAY: Glenthorne (01305 777281/www.glenthorneholidays.co.uk), a grand former rectory with private harbour-front beach, offers B&B and self-catering accommodation From £80 (two sharing), B&B.

INFO: Weymouth & Portland tourism: 01305 785747/www.visitweymouth.co.uk

CAPITAL CRAWL
Fancy a dip in central London? In 2012 competitors will be diving into the Serpentine in Hyde Park for the 10K Open Water Swim.

The Lido here is open all summer (until September 12). Admission £4 per adult, £1 per child (family tickets £9).

The swimming leg of the Triathlon will also be staged here, before the cycling leg takes competitors past nearby Buckingham Palace, a short stroll from Hyde Park Corner and down through Green Park.

STAY: 37 Trevor Square (0207 823 8186/www.37trevorsquare.co.uk) is an intimate hotel in a peaceful setting in the heart of Knightsbridge. Doubles from £140 (two sharing), B&B.

INFO: Visit London: 0870 156 6366/www.visitlondon.com To find out more about venues for the 2012 Olympics see www.london2012.com/games/venues