Record 100,000+ riders expected to participate in this year’s festival
Sir Bradley Wiggins met young riders from three charities at the Lee Valley VeloPark yesterday as he officially launched the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 46, the new event that will be part of Prudential RideLondon 2016, the world’s greatest festival of cycling, in London and Surrey on 30-31 July.
The Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 46 on Sunday 31 July is a 46-mile ride on traffic-free roads, starting at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London immediately after the last start wave of the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100, and finishing on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace. See route map here.
The new sportive (it’s not a race) has been created specifically for newer and younger cyclists to encourage them to enter their first mass participation cycling event and enjoy the freedom and camaraderie of Prudential RideLondon. Read about the 46 here.
Sir Bradley said: “This is a fantastic event for new and young riders. 46 miles is still a challenge but it’s also a great introduction to cycling on traffic-free roads and it’s a wonderful way to ride your first sportive. And nothing beats riding up The Mall and crossing the line in front of Buckingham Palace. Get online and enter today!”
Sir Bradley met riders from Greenhouse Sports and TeachFirst, two charities with young novice riders supported by these charities taking on the challenge of the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 46. The young riders have been provided with new bikes and will be coached and supported as they train for the 46-mile event on Sunday 31 July. He also spent time with wounded and injured Servicemen from the Invictus Games Foundation who will be taking part in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100.
“It’s a privilege to meet these riders,” said Sir Bradley. “Prudential RideLondon has truly inspired tens of thousands to get on a bike and ride. I hope that my career inspires this generation that anything is possible and to aim for the stars. I believe this festival of cycling is the most successful legacy of London 2012 and it’s amazing to see it grow and grow each year.”
About 3,500 riders are expected on the start line at 0900 on Sunday 31 July. When riders have a confirmed place, they will be able to choose a specific start wave and opt to ride with friends, with other first timers, in all female waves, with U18s or as individuals.
Mike Wells, Prudential’s Group Chief Executive, said: “One of the fundamental values of this great festival of cycling is its inclusivity. The addition of the 46-mile event further demonstrates that Prudential RideLondon has something for everyone.”
Ben Plowden, TfL’s Director of Surface Strategy and Planning, said: “The new 46 mile challenge is a great way to encourage new or less experienced cyclists to take part in what is a fantastic festival event. This year Prudential RideLondon is set to be bigger and better than ever before and we’re really pleased to be a part of it.”
The public ballot entry system for the 2016 Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 46 is now open atwww.prudentialridelondon.co.uk and closes when 15,000 riders have registered or on 28 April 2016, whichever is the earlier. Applicants will be informed whether they are successful or not in the ballot before the end of May 2016. The cost of entry is £39.
The Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 46 will route riders along Hampton Court Way, enabling 22 miles of the route through Surrey to be opened 30-45 minutes earlier than in previous years. Local access to and from Thames Ditton via Embercourt Road will be maintained all day on Sunday 31 July.
Richard Walsh, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Localities and Community Wellbeing, said: “There can be no doubt that the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 has inspired many more people to get on their bikes and enjoy the benefits of cycling and this new 46-mile ride will broaden the appeal of the festival still further, while also allowing a 22-mile stretch of the route through Surrey to be reopened to traffic up to 45 minutes earlier.”
Councillor Mary Sheldon, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Elmbridge Borough Council, Surrey, said: “We are thrilled to have the new Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 46 route in the Borough of Elmbridge. We are always keen to promote the benefits of physical activity and we hope that having an event for novice and leisure cyclists coming into the Borough will be an inspiration for all. We are looking forward to cheering on all the participants as they ride through Elmbridge.”
The organisers of the weekend festival of cycling will deliver an extensive community engagement programme with the support of Transport for London (TfL), the London boroughs on the route and Surrey County Council to help residents and businesses along the route plan ahead. This will include pre-awareness campaign posters on the transport network, a series of customer information emails and a leaflet drop in July to 1 million+ residents and businesses along the route. Information on travel disruption and advice is available on www.tfl.gov.uk/ridelondon. To avoid delays over the event weekend, wherever possible all drivers are advised to avoid areas near the event routes.
