Legacy cycling festival route taken out of Newham
The revised Prudential Ride London cycle route which begins in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park but no longer goes through the centre of Stratford. - Credit: Archant
Residents looking forward to an international cycling festival whizzing past their door this summer may be disappointed to learn the route has been changed.
The Prudential RideLondon Classic event on August 4, billed as “celebrating the legacy for cycling created by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games”, will no longer be passing through the host borough.
Around 20,000 amateur cyclists were meant to start at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park then ride through the centre of Stratford on their way to Surrey.
But organisers Transport for London (TfL) and the Mayor of London’s office have changed the route to match the one 150 professionals will be tackling at the same time in the London-Surrey 100 which leaves the Park along the A12 to make its way through the neighbouring borough of Tower Hamlets.
A council spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that the Prudential RideLondon event will no longer pass through the streets of Newham.
“We have worked tirelessly to ensure that our residents could be part of this world-class annual cycling festival.
“We are pleased that Ride London has now agreed to deliver a free community event in Newham in the North Park, called FreeCycle.
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“This will give our residents the opportunity to feel part of the event, watch the race on big screens as well as try a large number of cycling activities.”
Hugh Brasher, Prudential RideLondon Event Director, said: “The Prudential RideLondon Classic and London-Surrey 100 will now follow the same route in order to allow the participants of the 100 to follow as similar a route as possible as the professionals in the Classic.
“A community festival in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will take place on Sunday 4th August providing a great base for spectators to see off the riders in both the London-Surrey 100 and Classic.”