CYCLE: People of all ages and abilities are invited to jump into the saddle of their bikes later this month and take part in the free Sky Ride Bradford event
CYCLE: People of all ages and abilities are invited to jump into the saddle of their bikes later this month and take part in the free Sky Ride Bradford event

Olympic Gold medallist to lead city cyclists

Residents across Bradford and West Yorkshire are being urged to get on their bikes later this month as the annual Bradford Sky Ride returns to the city with a very special guest.

Olympic Gold medallist, Jason Queally, will be joining cyclists at the start line in City Park on Sunday 20th September, as British Cycling and Sky team up with Bradford Council to bring back the ever popular event.

With lots of activities to do, both on and off the bike, the day promises to be an occasion the whole family can enjoy, as the traffic free route brings entertainers out onto the city’s streets.

Registration on the day is free and starts at 9am with the ride setting off at 10am.

Jason, who won a Gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, said it promised to be a memorable day for all involved.

“I’m delighted to be attending Sky Ride Bradford, joining thousands of people to be part of a fantastic celebration of cycling,” he said.

“It’s a pretty unique experience, riding on completely traffic-free streets, and I can’t wait to see so many people out doing the sport I love.

“Sky Ride is for everyone, regardless of bike type or ability. So get your family and friends involved and let’s ride Bradford.”

Entertainment on the day includes Europe’s number one mountain bike and BMX demonstration team, led by multiple British and European trials champion, Danny Butler. Together, they will be performing a must-see show throughout the day in the ‘Tricks and Tunes’ area at the back of Bridge Street.

People can also test their own freestyle skills on the giant air bag in the area – not for the faint-heated – and coaches from British Cycling’s ‘Go Ride’ programme will be running skills sessions for the under-16s.

Close to the Tricks and Tunes area is ‘The Marketplace’ where representatives from community organisations and clubs can talk to participants about cycling opportunities.

There will also be Local Ride Leaders and Breeze champions available for people to talk to, plus an interactive map of local rides on display, at The Hub in City Park.

The Hub also features a friendly bike cafe – the perfect place to meet friends and relax after a good work-out on the bike, with a coffee and slice of cake.

The Sky Ride route will once again start from the gantry at the multi-award winning City Park and go around the main streets of the city centre including Market Street, Kirkgate, Cheapside, Valley Road, before entering Little Germany, finally heading out to Hall Ings, Drake Street and back into City Park.

Anyone can join the free circular traffic-free route at any time between 10am and 2pm, although participants are advised to get there early whilst the roads are quieter for commuting.