RideLondon’s FreeCycle event is returning to the city this weekend.
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)RideLondon is back in London and Essex this weekend, as thousands of cyclists are expected to gather to ride on traffic-free routes through the city.
The annual cycling event is returning for the first time since 2019, after being cancelled for two years during the pandemic.
Three RideLondon cycling events will take place this weekend: RideLondon-Essex, RideLondon Classique, and FreeCycle.
Find out below where the cyclists will be heading and which roads in London and Essex will be closed as a result.
RideLondon-Essex 100, 60, and 30
RideLondon-Essex will see cyclists embark on a 100-mile challenge on traffic-free roads through London and Essex. The riders will set off from the start line at Victoria Embankment and will finish at Tower Bridge.
Some cyclists will undertake a 30 or 60 mile challenge, following the 100-mile route for part of the way before heading back to central London. The 60 mile route will turn back at Ongar, while the 30 mile route will head back towards London at Woodford.
Road closures will impact central and East London, as well as parts of Essex.
RideLondon Classique
RideLondon Classique is a three-day UCI Women’s World Tour stage race featuring the world’s best women cyclists.
The first stage of the Classique race begins and ends in Maldon, while the second stage will begin in Chelmsford and will end in Epping. The third and final stage will begin and end in Victoria Embankment.
The race takes place from Friday, May 27, until Sunday, May 29. There will be temporary road closures of up to 45 minutes in Essex, but London won’t be impacted.
FreeCycle
FreeCycle is an event open to cyclists of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Cyclists will ride a new, traffic-free, eight-mile route through central London–perfect for sightseeing.
The FreeCycle route will take cyclists past London landmarks, including St Paul’s Cathedral and Pall Mall.
There will also be four Festival Zones at Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Waterloo Place, Guildhall Yard, and St Paul’s Churchyard and Paternoster Square, where cyclists will find free activities that celebrate cycling.
The event is free to eter and there are still spaces available, at the time of writing. FreeCycle will take place on Sunday, May 29, from 10am until 3pm.
RideLondon Road Closures
Road will be closed in Essex on Friday, May 27.
Roads will be closed in Essex on Saturday, May 28.
Roads will be closed in London and Essex on Sunday, May 29.
