A free, open-to-all bike race will be taking place in Bristol on Sunday, June 16.
The event is being organised by Let’s Ride with support from HSBC and British Cycling.
Anyone can enter and the event caters for all abilities, with cyclists being encouraged to ride the amount of the race which best suits them.
The route starts at Millennium Square and travels up past Bristol Hippodrome and Colston Hall along Anchor Road, before passing through the Old City, past the Old Vic Theatre and around Queen Square.
The route then loops back along Prince Street and returns to Millennium Square.
It is advised that if you want to ride, you should sign up on the Let’s Ride website.
While racing is free, riders who register will receive details of the route, a Let’s Ride cycle bib to keep and email updates about the event.
The HSBC UK National Series Men’s Road Race begins at 10:30am with 140 professional riders, whilst the Woman’s HSBC UK National Circuit Race starts at 3pm.
If you do not have a bike, there is no need to worry. Since Let’s Ride is encouraging maximum participation, Yo Bike are offering 50% off on hiring bike’s for the duration of the race.
Similarly, if you are worrying your bike might break, there is no need to worry. Sully Cycles, Bike UK, Boing Bicycles as well as John Wood’s Cycle Repair Centre will be on hand.
Last year, 3,442 pre-registered to ride and 8,000 came to the event.
However, if cycling is not your thing, there are still opportunities to get involved. At the festival zone in Millennium Square, there will be a main stage with music, face painting and the Great Britain Cycling Display Area will be on offer. This area will be open from 10am until 4pm.
Across to Harbourside, there will be a food festival zone, with local street food. Not far away and still on route, a stunt show will be performed near the Bristol Hippodrome.
There are also activities offered by the Bristol Indoor Bowls Club and the Lawn Tennis Association, as well as ‘design a jersey’ at Waterfront Square.
Since the race is traffic free, 20 roads will be closed but residents and businesses will be able to access Park Street, College Green and the adjoining area as far down as the Marriott Royal.
Residents will also be able to come to and from the Jacob Wells Road roundabout under stewarded escort. But between 9:45-10:30am and 1:45-2:45pm, access to the roundabout will not be possible.
The Welsh Back will be accessible under stewarded escort from the Bristol Bridge junction with Baldwin Street. Vehicles will be allowed to exit.
Roads closed during the race
Anchor Road – Canon’s Way – Canons Road – Explore Lane – Baldwin Street – Broad Quay – Prince Street – The Grove – Welsh Back – Mill Lane – Queen Square - Queen Charlotte Street – Colston Avenue – Rupert Street – Lewins Mead – Colston Street – St Augustine’s Parade – Small Street – Corn Street – St Stephen’s Street
