One year on from Team GB’s remarkable run of successes in the cycling events at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, a world class festival dedicated solely to the sport will be launched, to mark the anniversary of our startling haul of cycling medals.
London’s very own new festival of cycling – called Prudential RideLondon – will take place on the first weekend of August: Saturday the 3rd and Sunday the 4th. It is expected to attract tens of thousands of people, from amateur cycling enthusiasts to the professionals and everyone in between, as well as those simply curious to find out what’s going on!
There will be one event open to all comers, another one hundred mile long challenge race, and two which will only be available to the world’s very best cyclists, so if you are wanting to know how to get involved, simply read on for more details!
The Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle
The FreeCycle is open to absolutely anyone and everyone, no matter how old or how experienced in cycling – so if you’re 83 and still using stabilisers, you can still take part! As part of Britain’s largest bike festival, the FreeCycle will be the biggest cycling event to have ever occurred in the Big Smoke, so if you take part you’ll be helping to make history!
Sweeping through the streets in the centre of the capital, the circuit makes a loop around eight miles of traffic-free roads, so you’ll be able to experience London in a way you never have done before.
Expected to attract somewhere in the region of 70,000 people, it is completely free to take part in, and will pass by some of the most recognisable of the Square Mile’s many sights, such as Tower Bridge and the Houses of Parliament.
So whether you are Bradley Wiggins wearing a wig, a child who needs a specially-made cycle or someone who’s never even seen a bicycle, saddle up and come down for the FreeCycle – fun is guaranteed!
The Prudential RideLondon Grand Prix
Also on the Saturday, the Grand Prix (also known as Criterium Racing) comprises of a series of invitational races, showcasing the country’s very best female cyclists, junior cyclists and hand-cyclists, all taking place from 5pm on a 1.3 mile loop of closed streets. It is open for anyone to watch, so go on down if you want to watch the stars of tomorrow, in action today.
The Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100
This is the 100 mile whopper, starting in the capital’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and making its way down closed roads and into the beautiful countryside of surrounding Surrey. It will test your legs with a few nasty climbs, but is well suited for cyclists of all abilities.
The largest fundraising charity cycling even in the world, the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 will finish back in The Mall in London, and will take place on the Sunday. Sadly, if you haven’t already entered your name then you’re too late, unless you get in through a guaranteed charity place.
The Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic
This is the main event, the thing most people will be coming to see – 150 of the world’s best male cyclists competing in an official UCI pro race. Come and support your heroes as they battle it out past some familiar sights – the Classic is a new variation of the Road Cycling Race route at the Olympics!
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