The RideLondon is one of the world’s most celebrated cycling festivals that hosts a lot of different types of races around the city. Developed in 2013 by the Mayor of London and taking place over the course of a weekend in the summer, this year, the seventh annual event will take place on the weekend of August 3rd-4th.
The event is run by the London & Surrey Cycling Partnership, London marathon Events Limited and SweetSpot Group Limited.
To kick things off, here’s a list of quick facts to know about the race:
- Mountain bikes, standard road and hybrid bicycles and single speed bikes are all accepted.
- Tandem bikes are allowed in the case of disability.
- E-bikes are permitted in all participation races.
- Helmets are mandatory.
- No loose clothing (including garments like skirts or dresses) are permitted for safety purposes.
- Roads will be closed down.
- The health and safety of each cyclist are of the utmost importance.
What is the RideLondon Free Cycle?
It’s a yearly event with more than 100,000 cyclists that participate during a weekend in August. This year will be the seventh year of the event.
On Saturday, August 3rd RideLondon FreeCycle will take place. Everyone is welcome, and your age, gender or experience should not stop you from joining in on the race.
You can cycle the route at your own pace and as many times as you would like. Each cyclist can stop at any of the seven different Festival Zones to enjoy bicycle-based entertainment and activities that you can enjoy with your friends and family.
Best of all, it’s a free event!
Ready to pop this in your diary? The event kicks off on Saturday, August 3rd at 9:00 AM and runs through until 16:00.
What is RideLondon Free Classique?
As a part of RideLondon, Prudential RideLondon Classique, a 5.4-kilometre circuit that takes place in central London, will also take place on Saturday, August 3rd.
This race has taken place three times before, making is the fourth successive year. For those motivated by monetary incentives, there is prize money to be won in this race!
You will also be able to see the Brompton World Championship Final featuring more than 500 riders completing eight laps around St James Park. You can also watch this on BBC if you don’t want to leave your Hotel in Kensington but still want to catch the entire race.
It takes place on Saturday, August 3rd, 17:00 to 18:45.
What is the Prudential RideLondon Surrey 100?
Around 25,000 cyclists gather to cycle through London and Surrey starting at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, onto Surrey country roads, to then finish the race off in central London. Each person is free to ride for charity. In 2016, the cyclists collectively raised £12 million for charity.
Please be advised that the minimum age for this race is 18. For those who are below 18, there are other RideLondon options, which means you can skip this race and retire to your Kensington Accommodation to rest up until it’s your turn to ride.
The ballot for RideLondon is drawn randomly using answers the registrants provide on their entry forms. It is of the utmost importance that health and safety of all riders are taken into consideration and the maximum amount of people can ride safely during the 8.5 hours. This does, however, also mean that not everyone is lucky enough to get to ride.
It takes place on Sunday, August 4th, from 5:45 to 17:30.
What is the RideLondon Surrey 46?
RideLodon Surrey 46 was created for mass participation with a focus on new and young cyclists in 2016. It is a 46-mile route on traffic-free roads that begins at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and finishes on The Mall.
Around 5,000 riders are expected to cycle at the race. You can cycle with your friends or family, as you can choose the start wave once you have confirmed your spot in the event.
There are options to choose start waves of 16 to 18-year-olds, all female riders, first-time sportive and more. The minimum age for this race is 16. If this is your first race, get someone to take you out to the Park Grand Restaurant to celebrate afterwards. You’ll certainly have earned a juicy burger!
It takes place on Sunday, August 4th from 9:00 to 13:00.
What is the RideLondon Surrey 19?
This race was held for the first time last year, in 2018.
The fantastic race starts in Sandown Park in Surrey, taking the cyclists on a 19-mile ride through south-west London, and into the centre in front of The Mall by Buckingham Palace.
You enter by applying online, and they are still open for applications. Keep in mind that when you apply, you cannot exchange your place for another event. The minimum age for this event is 12 years old and those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult who is 18 years or older.
Ensure that your bike is eligible before you enter the race. For your reference, The Prudential RideLondon has a list of bikes that are approved. And of course, remember to wear a helmet. In return, you will receive a medal at the finish line – every participant will be rewarded with a unique one.
All participants should complete the ride within three hours, which means that your average speed should lie around 10mph throughout the 19 miles. This includes stops, of course, and throughout the route, you’ll find places to stop off and hydrate.
It takes place on Sunday, August 4th from 14:30 to 17:30.
What is the RideLondon Surrey Classic?
The top 150 worlds cyclists set off at the Horse Guards Parade and follow a similar route as the Prudential RideLondon Surrey 100 track. This was the first British men’s race to attain UCI World Tour status and puts the RideLondon Classic at the same top tier as Tour de France.
It takes place on Sunday, August 4th from 13:00 to 18:20.
Why is there a cycling race?
The goal of RideLondon is to encourage people to cycle more and to do so in a safe manner. It is a closed road event that combines free family fun and the excitement of watching professional cyclists.
The race will be broadcasted on live TV and internationally to seen by millions, with a goal of raising money for good causes. Based on the success of year’s past (more than £66 million have been collected since its inauguration in 2013) this year is sure to draw a crowd, too.
