Boris Backs Ride Around London

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Boris Backs Ride Around London Sportive

115 mile Ride Around London Sportive gets mayoral backing

Posted: 7th June 2011
Event: 25th September 2011

Alongside Gold Medallists Rebecca Romero, James Cracknell and Jody Cundy the inaugural Ride Around London sportive has won the support of London Mayor, Boris Johnson who said, "As a keen cyclist myself, I am hugely supportive of Access Sport's new Ride Around London cycle challenge. By jumping on your bike, seeing our great city in all it's glory and having a huge amount of fun, you will also be helping to secure a genuine sporting legacy for those Londoners who need it most. Book your place today!"

Cycling legends help finalise 115 mile route

Club veterans Bob Spencer, who raced against the great Fausto Coppi in the 1950s and continues to commissaire events at Hillingdon circuit, and Keith Butler, former British Professional Road Race Champion who established the hugely successful Surrey Road Race League, have been instrumental in shaping sections of the course: “We will be taking people past the spot where there was a punch up during the 1948 Games road race in Windsor Great Park. Team GB won silver that day.”

Starting at the Herne Hill Velodrome, scene of the 1948 Games where Access Sport Ambassador Bradley Wiggins spent his formative years, riders will be following in the footsteps of many cycling legends including Reg Harris, Tom Simpson and Jacques Anquetil who have all ridden the track. The Ride Around London Route goes past the 2012 Olympic rowing venue at Eton Dorney and the magnificent new 2012 White Water Centre in Lee Valley Park will provide a fitting setting for riders crossing the finish line. Along the way riders will sample the beautiful scenery of the North Downs and Chilterns as well as ticking off some familiar road signs heading into London as they make their circumnavigation. Riders will also preview the course Mark Cavendish is due to tackle next July when he rides the Box Hill loop, the critical section of the 2012 Olympic road race which the pros will be doing 9 times.

Event organisers Access Sport and Andy Cook have revealed the thinking behind the routes: “We wanted to create truly memorable routes, with input from local London club experts who really know the best of their own patches, to show off the fantastic cycling London has on its doorstep. Especially as the Olympics are now just over a year away the inspiration for us and for participants is to help give a little back to cycling and to other sports for young people, to create a meaningful legacy.”

60 mile route announced

The Ride Around London semi-circular route will start in Windsor and finish at the River Lee Country Park following the same route as the 115 mile event.

Trail Loop (approx. 25miles) and Cycling Festival at River Lee Country Park announced

World Champion badminton player Gail Emms, a recent mum, will be riding the forest trail loop based from the River Lee Country Park adjacent to the 2012 White Water Centre in Waltham Cross. The loop takes in a beautiful 25 mile (approx.) ride for all abilities on towpath, quiet country lanes and forest tracks passing scenic villages, stunning scenery, country pubs and picnic areas.

Ride Around London organisers are attracting families to the event village at River Lee Country Park to take part in Access Sport’s Cycling Festival which will include the Trail Loop, BMX demonstrations, Go-Ride racing and come and try it sessions as well as watching friends and loved ones complete the London circumnavigation.

To view the Ride Around London route please visit: www.accesssport.org.uk/ride-around- london/event-route

There are a limited number of places available for 2011, so early sign up is advisable. To register please visit the Access Sport website: www.accesssport.co.uk/ride-around-london.