RideLondon is an annual amateur cycling event that takes place in London, United Kingdom. It offers a unique opportunity to cycle on closed roads in the heart of London, as well as experience the surrounding countryside. The event was first held in 2013, and since then, it has become one of the most popular cycling events in the world. The event was inspired by the London 2012 Olympic Games cycling road race. The event was created to encourage more people to take up cycling and to promote London as a cycling-friendly city. It is a celebration of cycling and attracts thousands of participants from around the world. Strambecco rates the event as one of the Best Cycling Events in the UK.
Event & Course Info
The RideLondon event offers three route options for participants of varying abilities: the 100-mile route, the 60-mile route, the 30-mile route, and the FreeCycle route. The Ford RideLondon-Essex 100 takes riders past the Olympic Park and through the London boroughs of Westminster, the City of London, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Hackney, Waltham Forest, and Redbridge before heading into Essex via Epping Forest. Riders then glide through some of the county’s most picturesque towns, villages, and countryside before returning to the capital and finishing at Tower Bridge. Organizers provide recommended training plans to help participants prepare for a memorable cycling event.
Also taking place is the RideLondon Classique – UCI Women’s WorldTour road race – which has been a key part of RideLondon since the festival launched in 2013 and was added to the UCI Women’s WorldTour calendar in 2016. The Classique features the world’s greatest teams and riders and is an exciting complement to the broader RideLondon event.
Area Accommodations & Things to Do
For those traveling in for the event can check out a variety of cycle friendly hotels in London.
Related Events
Overall, the event is a large celebration of cycling and community spirit. It attracts participants of all abilities, from experienced cyclists to complete novices. The event’s friendly and inclusive atmosphere helps to create a sense of camaraderie and community among participants. Since its inception, the RideLondon event has raised millions of pounds for charity and helped to promote cycling as a fun, healthy, and sustainable mode of transport. The 2023 Charity of the Year is the Alzheimer’s Society and the race will help fuel further dementia research and support of the deadly disease.
The dedicated athletes who complete all three of the London Classics – the London Marathon, the RideLondon 100 and the two-mile event at Swim Serpentine – receive an engraved medal and are entered into the Hall of Fame.
