This years Sky Ride programme looks to be just as exciting as previously. UK city centres will be full of Sky-riders on different dates throughout the summer.
The free Sky Ride City events encourage families and individuals of all ages and abilities to get on their bikes for a unique traffic-free cycle ride and experience all the joys that cycling can offer, which last year saw over 200,000 people taking part. The opening events in Bath and Ipswich were really successful and Sky Ride City events are now moving to other major towns and cities across the UK including:
Birmingham (3rd July)
Middlesbrough (10th July)
Bradford (31st July)
Manchester (7th August)
Southampton (14th August)
Blackpool (14th August)
Hull (21st August)
Leicester (28th August)
Mayor of London’s Sky Ride (4th September)
Glasgow (11th September)
London Boroughs of Hillingdon (31st July)
Barking and Dagenham (21st August)
…with more events still to be announced.
Ian Drake, CEO of British Cycling, said: “Together with Sky we want to inspire people to get out on their bikes and enjoy cycling, whether for a sport, a hobby or as a way to get fit. After the success of Sky Ride 2009 and 2010, we’re back in 2011 honouring great hills for cycling down and giving you the opportunity to get out on your bike and ride alongside stars such as Victoria Pendleton and Sir Chris Hoy.”
Sky Ride 2011 builds on the success of the last two years with Sky and British Cycling’s joint cycling initiatives so far having resulted in 376,400 more people cycling regularly (cycling at least once a month or 12 times a year).
New for 2011 the Sky Ride organisers have launched the search for the UK’s ‘Perfect Hill’
More information how to get involved can be found at: www.goskyride.com
British Cycling are intent on increasing women’s participation in cycling and have set themselves an ambitious target of attracting 80,000 new female bike riders.
The campaign is known as ‘Breeze’
From 1000 women surveyed it seems the main disincentive from cycling for women is cycling safety along with lack of route knowledge and lack of riding companions.
Thanks to National Lottery funding for three years BC is now working to overcome these obstacles for women by offering women led free, local , informal traffic free rides . The leaders are all BC – trained .
The rides are aimed at novice or ‘rusty’ riders wanting the companionship of a casual bike ride with similar minded local women. BC hopes at least 20,000 of these women will progress and become regular cyclists.
The first programme of rides “set off” in June and the programme is due to run across several towns and cities in the UK over the next few months.
Last year’s Bike Blenheim Palace festival of cycling was unfortunately not blessed with good weather so the organisers have shifted the date to more optimistic Sunday August 21st hoping for a brighter morning, a warmer day and guaranteeing more daylight hours.
Summer Cycling Fun!
Attracting more than 5,000 visitors , Blenheim is a unique and exciting event, with something for every cyclist to enjoy including:
Attractions on the day include two Sportives either 60 or 100 miles through the Cotswold’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a tough 20km Time Trial all on the closed roads of Blenheim Park plus the legendary 2011 Brompton World Championships for the racers.
Brompton World Championships Video:
There are also family rides in a beautiful and safe car free environment.
For the first time this year there’s the Breast Cancer Care Pink Ribbon ride of 26.2 miles to help raise funds for those living with breast cancer.
There are also Bike polo competitions and M.A.D. mountain bike stunt team riders to entertain spectators and Go- Ride courses for the younger cyclists.
Lots of specialist retailers and exhibitors will be present in the event village so there’s something for every cyclist and cycling enthusiast at Bike Blenheim Palace.
