Sky Ride set to be biggest yet

Sky Ride: Fantastic day in prospect

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Cyclists will take to traffic-free streets on Sunday in what is set to be the biggest Mayor of London's Sky Ride to date.

The stars will be out in force - including track legend Sir Chris Hoy, model and actress Kelly Brook, Edvald Boasson Hagen and four other Team Sky riders, BMX world champion Shanaze Reade and Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Romero - and tens of thousands of cyclists will be joining them and Mayor of London Boris Johnson in the free ride around the capital.

This year's route takes in 15km of traffic-free roads and passes many of London's iconic landmarks, including the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and St Paul's Cathedral.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "London is in the midst of a two wheeled revolution and Sky Ride promises to add to our aim of making the capital the epicentre of pedal power.

"Being able to cycle on traffic free streets past some of the world's most iconic sights is sheer bliss for anyone with a love of our great city or the bicycle. It is surely the greatest cycle celebration in the country and I urge everyone, whatever your age or ability, to come down on Sunday and take part."

There's also a full programme of entertainment centred in St James Park, including live music and entertainment - full details can be found on the www.goskyride.com website.

Inspiration to participation

And Team Sky youngster Peter Kennaugh is hopeful their appearances at this summer's Sky Rides will have inspired a new generation of cyclists to take up the sport and maybe even follow in his footsteps.

The 21-year-old was present at the first Sky Ride of the year in Ealing on 18 July would have attended more of the 13 events around Britain had he not been competing in mainland Europe.

The Manxman is currently in action at the Vuelta a España but team-mates Boasson Hagen, Serge Pauwels, Morris Possoni, Chris Sutton and Davide Viganò will all be in attendance on Sunday.

Last year, more than 65,000 people turned the English capital's streets into a cycling paradise and even more is planned this weekend to give London's biking fraternity the opportunity to be kings of the road for a day.

And while Kennaugh was lucky enough to grow up in a family where cycling was an integral part of everyday life, he is still wishes Sky Rides had been around when he was a boy.

"Cycling has always run through my family," he said. "My dad cycled over in France in the 1980s and his dad cycled - my granddad actually founded the Manx Road Club so it goes right back through the generations.

"But there was nothing like Sky Rides when I was a kid though - I think it's fantastic and great for the sport to see such involvement from so many people.

"It's great to get the opportunity to meet pro riders that Sky Ride provides. I do remember once that Charlie Wegelius handed out trophies at an under 14 or under 16 race once. I can remember getting David Millar's autograph when he was racing in the Manx International as well - I must have been so young because he was riding for Cofidis, probably about the same age as I am now."

Like many participants of Sky Rides up and down the country, Kennaugh's career on two wheels began early - when he took part in a mountain bike race. The rest is history and now the initiative is aiming to get one million more people on two wheels by 2013.