This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-23529651
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| RideLondon: 'Biggest ever' cycle event in London | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Thousands of cyclists have ridden through central London during the first day of what is expected to be the UK's biggest road cycling event ever. | |
| Families and amateur cyclists took part in the RideLondon cycle, which cruised along the Embankment and Birdcage Walk to end in The Mall at about 16:00. | |
| There will be hand cyclist and elite female races during the evening. | |
| The highlight of the festival is a 100-mile race from London through Surrey, which will take place on Sunday. | |
| By 09:30 both carriageways of Victoria Embankment were full of cycles. | |
| Riders pedalled from Birdcage Walk and Buckingham Palace in the west to Tower Hill in the east. | |
| Among them was magician Robin Fox, who was riding a penny farthing and sporting a vast handlebar moustache. He said: "Any public event that helps to create awareness of cycling is great. The more cycles the better." | |
| Maddox Tanrien, a 46-year-old from Stratford who works for Chelsea FC, said: "I just fancied a day out riding without traffic. | |
| "I cycle every day but this is the first time I've done anything like this. | |
| "The freedom to go anywhere is brilliant because the traffic in London usually is horrible." | |
| Event Director Hugh Brasher said he was "not surprised" at the number of people taking part. He said: "It's a fantastic day out for families - to enjoy London, to get on their bikes, to take in the sights, stop at cafes and generally have a great time." | |
| Londoners were warned about disruption on the roads. | |
| Transport for London said residents should not "get caught out" and should plan their travel in advance. | Transport for London said residents should not "get caught out" and should plan their travel in advance. |
| The area affected by the RideLondon-Surrey100 on Sunday runs from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park through east, central and south-west London on to Surrey before finishing on The Mall in central London. | |
| London's Transport Commissioner, Sir Peter Hendy, said: "This is the largest event London's streets will have seen since the Olympics. | London's Transport Commissioner, Sir Peter Hendy, said: "This is the largest event London's streets will have seen since the Olympics. |
| "During the London 2012 Games, Londoners and businesses took sensible steps to plan ahead and adapt their travel. | "During the London 2012 Games, Londoners and businesses took sensible steps to plan ahead and adapt their travel. |
| "I'm urging everyone to do that once again so that they don't get caught out and can continue to get around and enjoy the weekend." | "I'm urging everyone to do that once again so that they don't get caught out and can continue to get around and enjoy the weekend." |
| Mayor of London Boris Johnson will be one of about 20,000 cyclists taking on the 100-mile (160km) ride. | Mayor of London Boris Johnson will be one of about 20,000 cyclists taking on the 100-mile (160km) ride. |
| He said he hoped to see "huge numbers of people doing the 100-mile cycling marathon". | He said he hoped to see "huge numbers of people doing the 100-mile cycling marathon". |
| And he claimed: "It shows that London is in the lead in delivering cycling events." | And he claimed: "It shows that London is in the lead in delivering cycling events." |
| Over the course of the weekend organisers hope 70,000 will have taken part. | |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
| Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |