With 100 days to go until the return of the RideLondon sportive, organisers have revealed the new-look route for the UK's biggest closed road cycling event.
Alongside the route reveal for the RideLondon-Essex 100, entries have also opened for two shorter distances: the RideLondon-Essex 60 and RideLondon 30.
In addition to the mass participation events, RideLondon will also feature the RideLondon Classique, a three-day UCI Women's World Tour stage race from Friday 27 May to Sunday 29 May) which will feature the best women's cyclists in the world.
The first two stages will take place in Essex before the final stage is held on a circuit in central London on Sunday 29 May.
After a three year break, RideLondon returns on Sunday 29 May 2022.
This year's edition features a new format, new routes and, say organisers, "an increased ambition to inspire people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to cycle".
The familiar Surrey route has been replaced with a loop into Essex for 2022 - and it's a course that may ring a few bells for the thousands of participants of the Dunwich Dynamo over the years.
Starting at Victoria Embankment in central London, the 100 mile route heads east through Stratford before turning north and striking out for Essex through Epping Forest and Ongar.
The event then passes through Fyfield, Leaden Roding and Great Dunmow before turning back for London in a figure of eight via Felstead, Chelmsford, Writtle and Chigwell Row.
In another break with tradition, the finish will be at London's iconic Tower Bridge rather than the customary sprint through Trafalgar Square and down the Mall.
And there's good news for cyclists looking to enjoy the event experience over a shorter distance: organiser have revealed a 60-mile and a 30-mile course, with entries opening today for each.
RideLondon has always been more than a sportive, and this year sees the return of the capital's festival of cycling - a hugely popular part of London's event calendar which is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors from across London and the UK.
The event's new partnership with Essex County Council will see the following mass participation events take place on Sunday 29 May.
RideLondon-Essex 100
The iconic 100-mile challenge will start on Victoria Embankment in central London, head into Essex via Epping Forest where it will follow a section of Stage Three of the 2014 Tour de France route before heading back to London and an iconic finish at Tower Bridge.
General entries are closed with ballot results being announced last week, but charity entries are still available.
For the full route, click here.
RideLondon-Essex 60
A mid-level ride that follows the same route as the 100-mile challenge for the first 32 miles before it reaches Ongar, in Essex, and then turns back towards central London and the Tower Bridge finish.
Entries for the RideLondon-Essex 60 (£50) will open this afternoon.
For the full route, click here.
RideLondon 30
A mass participation ride for those just getting into cycling which, like the 100 and 60, starts on Victoria Embankment and heads north east through London before reaching Woodford and turning back and returning for the Tower Bridge finish.
Entries for the RideLondon 30 (£25) will open this afternoon.
For the full route, click here.
FreeCycle
Open to all at no cost, FreeCycle provides cyclists with eight miles of traffic-free roads in central London to enjoy plus a number of festival zones. It is a perfect way for a family to see some of London's most famous landmarks on two wheels.
Registration for FreeCycle will open in March when the event route plus start and finish times will be revealed.
RideLondon is committed to improving the diversity of participants taking part, with particular focus on increasing the numbers of women and people from under-served communities.
Statistics show that, despite more women cycling since the start of the pandemic, on average men in England made just over twice as many trips on bikes than females in 2020 while 74 per cent of people in urban ethnically diverse groups are currently not cycling, despite 55 per cent of people in these groups stating that they would like to start (compared to 37 per cent of white people).
To tackle this, RideLondon will offer a number of entries for RideLondon-Essex 100, 60 and 30 to cycling groups from under-served communities such as the Black Unity Bike Ride Groups, Cycle Sisters and Brothers on Bikes.
Hugh Brasher, Event Director of RideLondon, said: "We are incredibly excited to be bringing RideLondon back in 2022 after the last two editions were cancelled due to the pandemic. We return with exciting new routes into Essex thanks to a new partnership with Essex County Council and an increased ambition for RideLondon to be genuinely for all.
"Statistics on cycling participation and our own data from the previous seven RideLondon editions clearly show that women and under-served communities are in a minority when it comes to getting on a bike. We want to change that and for RideLondon to reflect the extraordinary diversity of this wonderful, multi-cultural city."
Will Norman, London's Walking & Cycling Commissioner, said: "I am delighted to see the return of RideLondon with an exciting new format and new routes. From the dramatic finish of the 100-mile race at the iconic Tower Bridge, to the FreeCycle event perfect for families, there's something for everyone. Cycling has seen a huge boom during the pandemic, but we know that some people are still under-represented, so it's really important that women and those from ethnically diverse groups are being encouraged to take part. I can't wait for the event in May and urge all Londoners, whatever their age or background, to get involved."
Samra Said, Chairperson of Cycle Sisters, said: "We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to safely enjoy cycling as a means of exercise, personal growth and forming social connections.
"Cycle Sisters was set up to address the under-representation of Muslim women in cycling and through our Muslim women's cycle groups, with volunteer Ride Leaders acting as role models, we've created a space where hundreds of women across London have discovered the joy of cycling. We're delighted to have been supported by RideLondon this year which will enable more of our members to participate and experience the excitement and challenge of this iconic event."
In total, 25,000 riders are expected to participate in the RideLondon-Essex 100, RideLondon-Essex 60 and RideLondon 30 events on traffic-free roads in London and Essex.
All will start on Victoria Embankment between 06:00 and 09.30 with the last finisher expected to roll over Tower Bridge by 18:00.
For more information on the event, see www.ridelondon.co.uk.
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