London will play host to tens of thousands of cyclists this weekend (3-4 August) as riders descend on the capital for the Prudential RideLondon, the biggest cycling festival the UK has ever seen.
Whatever your level of riding experience, there’s plenty for you. As well as the main events featured here, there’s a whole host of other cycle-related fun to be had around the festival sites.
If you are a beginner looking for more information on getting started with cycling, head over to On Your Bike or download a copy of On Your Bike - RideLondon edition for free from Issuu.com.
FreeCycle
This family friendly, relaxed ride takes place over an eight-mile, traffic-free circuit past London’s most iconic landmarks. All riders are welcome, whatever their age or ability. Stopping en route is encouraged to enjoy the roadside bike-based entertainment.
FreeCycle starts at 9am on Saturday and runs throughout the day.
Grand Prix
RideLondon Grand Prix route
Taking place on closed roads in and around St James’ Park on Saturday, this series of events will give riders the chance to demonstrate their future Olympic credentials. Paralympic hopefuls will be able to compete using hand-cycles on the 1.3-mile loop. This invitation-only event will also be showcasing the best of women’s cycling.
RideLondon-Surrey 100
Sunday will give 20,000 amateur cyclists the chance to follow in the footsteps of Cavendish and Armitstead as they take on the RideLondon-Surrey 100. Following a similar course to last year’s Olympic road race, this stunning 100-mile sportive will allow riders the luxury of closed roads as they head out of London into Surrey and up Box Hill before finishing on The Mall.
Want to know more about the RideLondon-Surrey 100 route and how to prepare for it on the day? Check out our videos below:
RideLondon route preview
Video: Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 Route Guide in association with Skoda
How to prepare for a sportive: on the day
Video: How to prepare for a Sportive: On The Day
RideLondon-Surrey Classic
Route for the RideLondon-Surrey Classic
One hundred and fifty of the world’s top professional cyclists will compete in the RideLondon-Surrey Classic. The event will start from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, on Sunday at 12.45pm, and will bring the weekend to a climax as the pros race to the finish on The Mall.
RideLondon Cycling Show
The free-to-enter RideLondon Cycling Show is taking place at the ExCeL Centre in Docklands, from 10am-8pm on Friday 2 August and 9am-5pm on Saturday 3 August.
The show's aim is to inspire cyclists and would-be riders of all ages and abilities, and includes Sir Bradley Wiggins’ golden throne and Olympic time trial bike, a replica of the famous Box Hill café, stunt displays from Stuart Ashton and Andrei Burton and stands from many of the major cycling brands.
There's even a competition to win a trip for two to the Gran Fondo Niagara Falls in Canada.
Event timetable
- RideLondon Cycle Show, 10am-8pm Friday 2 August, 9am-5pm Saturday 3 August 2013
- FreeCycle, 9am-4pm, Saturday 3 August 2013
- Grand Prix, 5-7.30pm, Saturday 3 August 2013
- RideLondon-Surrey 100, from 6am, Sunday 4 August 2013
- RideLondon-Surrey Classic, 12.45pm, Sunday 4 August 2013
For more details visit www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk.
