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Thousands due to join capital’s free bike ride on Sunday
Katharine Barney, City Hall Reporter18.09.09
Tens of thousands of Londoners are expected to take part in the capital's biggest free cycling event this weekend.
Boris Johnson will be joined by model Kelly Brook and Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy who will take part in the ride around London's famous sights.
The event takes place on Sunday from 10am to 4pm. The route, along The Mall, Northumberland Avenue, Victoria Embankment into the City, will be closed to cars all day.
Previously known as Freewheel, this year's Skyride is longer than before, with a new loop
past the Bank of England and St Paul's Cathedral.
The nine-mile route also takes riders alongside Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and the Tower
of London. It will feature St James's Park with river views from Embankment.
Professional BMX and mountain bikers will perform tricks along the route and cyclists will be able to take a course in stunt riding, get a bike makeover, and compete in a sprint cycle.
The route - where to join in (click image to enlarge)
The winner of Satruday's London leg of the Tour of Britain will be presented with the yellow jersey. The Mayor said: “It's been a great summer of cycling, with more and more people discovering that ours is a fantastic city in which to go by two wheels.
"The fantastic thing about it is the huge range of people who take part — whatever your age or ability you can come and join in.”
The event is the last of five in different British cities, encouraging people to travel by bike.
Reader views (12)
Even though the ride is over I am pleased that Kelly's photo is still here today, in fact you can keep it as a permanent feature as far as I am concerned!
- Jack Spratt, Richmond, Surrey
Kelly Brook is pretty.
- Niklaus, London
Specialk - and you'll be going home with a comic book style bump on your head too.
- Nolan, Londonist
Mr S.Port: "but there needs to be a little consideration for the many drivers who are finding it very difficult to go about there business either by driving into London or delivering supplies to the many stores and offices in our city. "
Well the more people who are encouraged to leave their cars and cycle to work, the better for you.
What would you rather see in front of you, 25 people in 20 cars, or 25 people on 25 bicycles?
Which is easier to pass?
Which creates less congestion?
- Prj45, London
Glad I'm moving back to Glasgow for good this weekend. I've been up here for the past 2 weeks and, strangely, I've yet to see a cyclist jump a red light.
- Jock, London
Has Boris invited celebrity chef & petrol-headed maniac James Martin to take part?
- Ian, Cambridge
Fantastic, I will be waiting, along with my friends, at vaious places along the route with a large box of tacks...Comic book Stylee
- Specialk, Londn
Do you think James Martin will be going?
- Prj45, London
I'm looking forward to this event. It's the perfect response to the anti-cycling bigots who foam at the mouth with rage when writing in with their patronising ill-informed / downright misleading hypocritical generalisations every time there is a news report which mentions cycling. Chill out dudes, or you'll give yourselves a heart attack!
- Austen, London
Looking forward to this, should be a great family day out.
- David, London
Team threaded will be there, so all you cycle haters who would like a quiet word with me: I'll be one of the MTB riders showing how to jump from the road to the pavement and back, along with back rolls over railings, headstands in front of little old ladies walking their dogs, that kind of thing. I'll probably be wearing dayglo blue lycra shorts, and a green top, certainly a silver helmet with a video camera on it for the YouTube videos afterwards.
- Threaded, Roskilde, Denmark
Its all very well letting the cyclists have another weekend of fun,and closing many of the capitals roads again, but there needs to be a little consideration for the many drivers who are finding it very difficult to go about there business either by driving into London or delivering supplies to the many stores and offices in our city. Many companies like ourselves are finding it hard to survive in the present climate and with the capitals roads continuosly being closed or restricted, it only increases the pressure, so a little thought for the rest of us who have to work in the city wouldnt go amiss, instead of the weekly grid lock that we have now.
- Mr S.Port, LONDON
