On Sunday (September 12) Sky Ride Birmingham wheels into the city – a free, family, mass participation cycling event organised by Sky and British Cycling in partnership with Birmingham City Council.
Sky Ride Birmingham will give thousands of cyclists the chance to enjoy traffic-free city centre roads for the day, encouraging people of all ages and abilities to get on their bikes and cycle with friends and family.
The 8.3km route will be traffic-free from 10am to 4pm and will link Cannon Hill Park in the south of the city with Pershore Street in the north. Riders will be able to take in some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and sights along the route including the ancient St. Martin Church in Birmingham’s renowned Bullring,, the Egbaston Cricket Ground and the iconic Rotundra.
Joining the cyclists on the day will be Birmingham-born supermodel, Erin O’Connor and Olympic BMXer Liam Phillips. As well as providing a unique opportunity to see Birmingham in a new light, there will also be a range of activities taking place along the route to keep cyclists entertained.
Highlights include:
- The Sky Ride Entertainment Village located in Cannon Hill Park will offer space for participants to take a well earned break and enjoy some entertainment
- The Sky Ride Entertainment Stage is where you will find a bumper line up of top entertainment taking place throughout the day including exciting games, quizzes and competitions, celebrity interviews and live music hosted by Sky Movies pundit Mark Dolan and BMX rider CK Flash
- The Sky Ride Sofa – Riders will be able to hear first hand from Sky Ride celebrity ambassadors including Erin O’Connor as they take to the sofa
- Sky Ride Bicycle Bingo – A unique twist on the universally popular game, riders will be able to take part as local stars power and select balls from a bicycle powered bingo machine
- Sky Ride Wacky Riders – Participants are being encouraged to get creative with their cycling outfits and bike accessories. A fancy dress competition will take place which will be judged by Mark Dolan and CK Flash. The Wacky Riders will then be asked to congregate at the Sky Ride Entertainment Village in Cannon Hill Park for final judging. The best three Wacky Riders will be invited to get up on the entertainment stage to model their outfits and receive their prizes. The winner will receive a trophy with the runners up receiving Sky Ride Wacky Riders medals
- Sky Ride Cycle & Explore with Dora the Explorer – In the spirit of the popular children’s TV show, Dore the Explorer, kids will have the chance to win a Dora the Explorer bike by finding the character & her friends along the route
- Sky Arts presents the unique and highly entertaining Gilbert & Sullivan Street Theatre – Look out for a surprise performance on the route for your chance to join in with the classic songs and famous quotes from their acclaimed operas
- Sky Ride meets Humungousaur – A designated area for young people where they can meet the much loved creature from Ben 10 ‘Humungousaur’
- British Cycling area – Get tips about cycling from the cycling professionals as well as take the opportunity to give your feedback about cycling facilities in the area. Children can also get involved by learning new bike skills on the Go-Ride Obstacle Course, a unique course where they will be taught how to become better and safer cyclists
- Don’t worry if you don’t have a bike, you can hire one at the event from local company, Cycle Xperience. Book your bike in advance at www.goskyride.com
- Experience the Loud Zone in Birmingham’s famous Rag Market, where incredible Sky Ride drummers will provide the soundtrack to keep you going
- To keep everyone hydrated throughout the day, there are Gatorade Hydration Stations dotted around the route giving out free drinks
- Evans Cycles servicing will help those with any punctures or repairs that may arise
- A Sky Ride Team Sky adidas shop will be selling Team Sky and Sky Ride kit
- Local food market stalls will be on site offering a range of cuisine and live cooking demonstrations
- Participants can also try out their climbing skills on the Sky Sports Living for Sport climbing wall
Sky Ride Ambassador Erin O’Connor said: “I’m really excited that Sky Ride is coming to my home town of Birmingham this summer, I’m sure it will be a fantastic finale to the series of 12 Sky Ride events that have taken place this summer. I used to cycle around Birmingham as a child and can’t wait to get back on my bike there to experience the city in a traffic free environment. I urge everyone, of all ages and abilities, to come and join me in experiencing the city of Birmingham as you’ve never seen it before.””
Birmingham City Council Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture Cllr Martin Mullaney said: “We are expecting thousands of people to get on their bikes and enjoy the day’s activities at Sky Ride Birmingham. As well as the fantastic range of entertainment on offer including pop up performances from the Gilbert & Sullivan street theatre, the event also gives people the chance to enjoy some of Birmingham’s most iconic landmarks in a safe environment. The fun-packed family event will give local people a unique way to enjoy their city, opening up the streets to cyclists of all abilities for one day.”
People in the region inspired by the event can also visit the Sky Ride Local tent; here they will be able to get involved in Sky Ride Local rides which run every Sunday through to October. Each ride will be led by fully trained cycle leaders from British Cycling and riders can pick a level to suit their age and ability and will be given a hi-visibility vest to keep.
To see the full route, for further information and to register to take part for free, visit www.goskyride.com.
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A big well done to Birmingham City Council – more cycling events please
St. Martin Church in Bullring – couldn’t really get anywhere near it, barriered off to cyclists
the Egbaston Cricket Ground – looked like a building site
iconic Rotundra – route didn’t go anywhere near it
Good event but big improvements in route needed for next year
just like to say a big thank you to Birmingham city council for a fantastic day out at sky ride Birmingham hope its on again next year.
yours sincerely
j. sweeney.