Street party as cycling festival comes through town
Wimbledon residents will line the streets of the town again this summer to watch the thousands of cyclists taking part in the Prudential RideLondon cycle ride as it passes through SW19 on Sunday August 10.
The peloton will pass through Wimbledon town centre on the return leg from the Surrey Hills, after cyclists have already travelled from the Olympic stadium, out to Surrey before heading back to the finish line at the Mall via Raynes Park.
The last incline of the race is up Wimbledon Hill towards Wimbledon common. The amateur cycle ride will be swiftly followed by the professional men's race on the same day.
Love Wimbledon will be cheering them along and celebrating with a street party on Wimbledon Hill Road. With help from surrounding businesses, there will be fun activities including live music to face painting, street entertainers to street food.
The event is being repeated following the success of last year's cycling festival, and as the event gets closer, there will be more information about how to get involved and what people should do if they need to travel on the day.
It will involve 24,000 riders taking part in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 – many cycling in aid of charity – as well as an afternoon race for 150 of the world's top professional male riders, the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic.
The professional event has been awarded Hors Categorie status by the UCI, the international cycling federation, the second highest international classification for professional races.
The increase in UCI ranking points and prize money means the race is certain to attract an even stronger field and more star names. The 2014 race will be over a 200km distance and the organisers have created a more challenging route for the world's best.
Merton Cabinet member for community and culture, Councillor Nick Draper, said: "I'm delighted that the RideLondon festival is returning to Merton this year. Crowds of residents and visitors to the borough lined the streets last year to catch a glimpse of the peloton and the atmosphere around Wimbledon and Raynes Park was fantastic with a range of fun activities taking place for all the family on the day."
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "After last year's roaring success, cyclists across London will be cheered to see the return of an event that has quickly established itself as an unmissable fixture. As well as bringing economic benefit to the capital, events such as Prudential RideLondon help to support our two-wheeled renaissance and I am confident this year’s event will be even bigger and better."
"We have a great race in prospect on a fantastic route," said Mick Bennett, Race Director of the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic. "The success of last year’s race and the global television coverage means that the world's best teams are very keen to compete in 2014."
Consultation with residents and businesses about the event will include leaflet drops to 1 million+ people along the routes, drop-in sessions for local people and community access plans.
July 22, 2014