Ride London Arrives This Weekend
1st August 2013 | Posted in Sports & Culture
What could be better than flying through the countryside on two wheels? How about hurtling past the capitals most famous landmarks, then rolling through scenic Surrey before finishing down the Mall in front of Buckingham Palace?
This Weekend sees the arrival of the Ride London 100 festival of cycling- organised by the Mayor of London to celebrate last Summer's Olympic cycling legacy, Saturday will see some of the worlds top cyclists descend on the city, as a series of races take place through London's streets.
The weekend sees a host of events, catering for everyone from recreational riding, to professional racers. The central roads of London will be closed off from traffic, giving riders a once in a life time opportunity to ride the roads together, hassle free.
Free Cycle
Open to everyone, this eight mile route loops you round the city centre, from Buckingham Palace, to the Tower of London, passing St. Paul's Cathedral, the London Eye, and the House of Parliament. Over 50,00 cyclists are expected to turn up, but you can still apply to enter, simply print off your entry number and turn up! Click here to find out how.
100
One for the serious road cyclists, the London 100 is open to anyone who reckons they have the stamina to crack 100 miles of road, rolling out into the Surrey countryside and back into the city. Starting from the Olympic Park, the 100 takes riders on the route made famous by Wiggins and co during last Summer's Olympics. The ride features London scenery, and some leg testing climbs in the Surrey countryside at the infamous Box Hill.
Applications for this year's race have now closed, but you can find out how to enter for next year, or where to get the best view here.
Grand Prix & Classic
Only open to professional riders, these rides are set to attract some of the best cyclists in the world. The Grand Prix see's a set lap bordering St James' Park, whilst the Classic is a road race that follows a similar route to the London 100. If you're a cycling fan, get down early on Sunday and find a good spot to watch the pro's hit the streets.
The festival of cycling also sees the arrival of an exhibition at London's ExCel arena- expect to see some famous cycling faces, exhibits by some top brands and live demos.
For loads more information on this great cycling event, including how to apply, and where best to watch, check out the official Ride London website.
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Ryan J Gray