Monday 13 May 2013
On Saturday 3 August, around 50,000 cyclists will take to the streets of London to experience the fun and freedom of riding an eight-mile traffic-free loop through the centre of the capital in Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle. Everyone participating is also invited to join the attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest single parade of bicycles – participants are encouraged to register online now to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Adults and children of all ages and abilities are invited to join FreeCycle, which will be part of Prudential RideLondon, Britain’s biggest cycling festival. Participants will be able to enjoy the unique experience of a leisurely ride through London on a traffic-free route and, if tiredness sets in, there is even a shorter loop that the whole family can tackle. The full eight-mile loop will take in world-famous landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London. To register or check out the route, visit www.PrudentialRideLondon.co.uk/FreeCycle.
Building on the legacy of London 2012, FreeCycle will encourage people of all ages to ‘Stay Inspired’ by the Games and will entice more people to go cycling more often. And all registrants will receive a free official Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle tabard and event magazine.
In addition to the great cycling on offer, there will also be a wide range of bike-based entertainment and activities for everyone to enjoy along the route. At the western end of the route, Green Park will host a ramp and try-out park where the UK’s top stunt riders will show off their skills and supervise try outs throughout the day. Cyclists will also have the opportunity to get their tabard signed by a professional cyclist, customise it by taking part in an art workshop, or bling their bikes with colourful accessories to ensure they really get noticed on the capital’s streets.
Bike mechanics will be on hand in Green Park to fix problems and answer bike-related questions, while the food court will serve hearty and healthy treats throughout the day. For smaller cyclists, the Strider Challenge adventure zone will give children from 18 months to five years the opportunity to have some fun on two wheels by trying out balance bikes.
There will also be a variety of music and entertainment along the route, including bike polo games, as well as a fleet of music bikes and bands on bikes that will travel around the route.
To help cyclists make their way to central London, Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle will also offer guided cycle rides from outer to inner London that will feed into the FreeCycle route. The led rides will depart from every London borough with return rides scheduled for later in the day.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “There is no better way to enjoy the capital than on two wheels and this summer’s Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle is the perfect opportunity to dust off your bike, jump into the saddle and get pedalling. With eight miles of traffic free roads passing some of this city’s most iconic sites we’re expecting thousands of cyclists to turn out for what promises to be one of the best weekends of the summer. So whether you’re young or old, cycle mad or as rusty as your old bike, this is the cycling event for everyone.”
The Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle event will start with an attempt at the Guinness World Record for the longest single line of bikes. In order to be part of this world-record attempt, cyclists must register at www.PrudentialRideLondon.co.uk/FreeCycle
“This world-record attempt is a brilliant way to put cycling in the spotlight and I’d encourage everyone – no matter what their age or ability – to have fun and help to make history on two wheels by signing up today,” said rugby legend and keen cyclist Martin Johnson who met cyclists who have signed up to participate in the record attempt today (Monday).
“Britain is the leader of the pack when it comes to record-breaking cycling,” said Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief, Craig Glenday. “Now everyone has the chance to get on their bikes and join the spectacular Sir Bradley Wiggins, Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton in the record books.”
Every cyclist registered for FreeCycle will receive a cycling goodie bag at the Prudential RideLondon Cycle Show, which takes place from 1-3 August at ExCel in east London.
Contact
Penny Dain – Prudential RideLondon
pennyd@ridelondon.co.uk / 07799 170433
Nick Gower – Prudential sponsorship
Ngower@brand-rapport.com / 020 7932 5845 / 07786 622000
Tony Hannon – Prudential UK
tony.hannon@prudential.co.uk / 020 7004 8079 / 077 4748 6918
Mayor of London’s Press Office
2013mayorspressoffice@london.gov.uk / 020 7983 4071
