20,000 cyclists will pass through borough
The 100-mile Prudential RideLondon route announced by Mayor Boris Johnson yesterday, will feature two cycle rides that will pass through Putney and Wimbledon Park Side on Sunday August 4.
Both rides - one for up to 20,000 amateur and club riders and another involving the top international professional men - will start in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and run through London and Surrey before returning to the capital to finish along The Mall.
Unlike last year's Olympic Cycle Road Race, the outbound route will not pass through the borough. However, cyclists will be making an appearance on the return leg, going along Wimbledon Park Side, Tibbet's Ride, Putney Hill and over Putney Bridge via the High Street.
Wandsworth's transport spokesman, Councillor Russell King, said: "The Olympic Cycle Road Race was a fantastic event and we have every hope that this year's RideLondon cycling festival will be equally exciting.
"I hope it encourages people of all ages and abilities to take to two wheels - with the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme about to expand into the borough there couldn't be a better time.
"Having professionals in one race and up to 20,000 people taking part in a mass participation ride - many of who will be doing so to raise money for various charities - RideLondon promises to be a huge spectacle, and one which residents can witness first-hand.
"Council officers have been liaising with organisers of the events to agree the route and ensure related disruption is kept to a minimum - but nearby transport routes will obviously be affected by the inevitable road closures on the day."
With support from the council, organisers will be keeping residents informed of associated transport issues in due course. Already confirmed is that the A3 will not be affected this time, as riders will go over it - ensuring greater access to and from Putney than was possible during the Olympic event.
The route through the borough has been announced as early as possible to give members of the public and local businesses and organisations sufficient advance warning.
Double Olympic gold medallist Laura Trott joined organisers to announce details of four RideLondon cycling events yesterday morning (February 7).
The four events making up the two-day cycling festival are:
The two day festival of cycling is being held across the weekend of August 3 and 4. It is part of the post 2012 Olympic and Paralympic legacy and aims to give a major boost to the number of active cyclists in the UK, while attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to London and Surrey.
Highlights of the weekend's action and live coverage of the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic will be shown by the BBC.
For more information about the various events visit www.PrudentialRideLondon.co.uk.
February 8, 2013