Cycling UK aims to fix 3,000 cycles

London will be celebrating its fourth edition of cycling festival Prudential RideLondon this weekend (29 – 31 July), and it looks set to be more popular than ever. 

While the festival is probably best known for the 100 mile ride on closed roads out of London and through the Surrey countryside held on Sunday, which is followed later by the professionals hours later, there is so much more to weekend than this one ride. 

This event is very much part of London’s wider cycling programme and is geared at bringing cycling to the masses and people who are curious about it, not just those fit enough to consider a Century ride! 

It this aspect of the festival, bringing the gift of cycling to everyone, that involves us particularly, so this will be the message we are pushing through our weekend’s worth of activities. 

On Saturday morning, over 120 volunteers and staff will be making their way to London to set up our six stands around the city. We’re going to be dotted along the FreeCycle route, with bases at Green Park, Aldwych, Lincoln Inn Fields. Leadenhall Market, St Paul’s Cathedral and Guildhall. Cycling UK is going to be on hand offering Dr Bike servicing and a friendly face to all those riding along the eight-mile circuit.

The route is a bit of a corker, and on closed roads will be showing off some of London’s most iconic landmarks including Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Bank of England, with a loop heading south of the river over Waterloo Bridge, offering stunning views of London. 

Cycling UK and our Dr Bike volunteers have set the “modest” target of fixing over 3,000 cycles during the course of the day. It’s a challenge, but we sincerely believe if we can help fix those little niggles and problems a lot of neglected bikes suffer, then we’ll be setting people on the path to cycling more often. 

Our largest presence will be in Green Park, where as well as hosting Dr Bike, we will also have an all-inclusive area featuring a range of specially adapted cycles. At Cycling UK, we know using an adapted cycle is a fantastic way for everyone to have fun, gain more independence and enjoy a sense of freedom. 

 At Cycling UK, we know using an adapted cycle is a fantastic way for everyone to have fun, gain more independence and enjoy a sense of freedom."

Sam Jones, Cycling UK's Campaigns and Communications Coordinator 

Whatever type of cycle, adaptation or support someone might need there is likely to be a solution, whether you have a disability, lack balance or simply want to improve your confidence. Through our all-inclusive area, we’re hoping to introduce cycling to people who might not normally consider cycling could ever be for them. 

As a bit of fun, Cycling Moo Kay will also be grazing us with her presence in Green Park. Donated by Cycling UK member Doug Clare, Cycling Moo Kay is part of the Surrey Hills CowParade. Beautifully designed by Dorking based artist Charles Rowbotham, our cow is painted to show road cyclists coming up Box Hill on one side and mountain bikers riding through Denbies Wine Estate on the other. 

If you spot her, take a picture and post it to our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram feeds, and you’ll be in with a chance to win either free Cycling UK membership for a year, or a £40 Amazon voucher.

On Sunday, like 30,000 other cyclists, Moo Kay will be heading back to her normal pasturing position on top of Box Hill, suggesting that if a cow can do the RideLondon 100 route, surely anyone can …

Joking aside, on the Sunday, 20 members will be donning vintage merino jerseys, bearing the legend of Cyclists' Touring Club, and heading off at 08.30. For all but the most extreme of cyclists, riding a Century is a challenge, and we’re incredibly grateful to our members who will be raising money for Cycling UK’s ongoing outreach and campaigning work, as they wind their way along the London 2012 Olympic Road Race route. 

The weather forecast looks good (touch wood!) and the festival looks set to be another success. If you’re out and about in London on Saturday, or taking part on Sunday in the road ride, do come and say hello to Cycling UK staff and volunteers!