Sky Ride
Sky Ride is coming to Southampton - A free, family mass participation cycling event taking place across the city.
On Sunday 25 July Southampton will be opening up its streets to cyclists to host the Sky Ride event.
The event offers people, of all ages and abilities, the chance to dust off their bikes and enjoy the sights and sounds of Southampton on a traffic free tour of the city and its great landmarks. A unique experience we hope you won’t forget exploring the city on two wheels.
Sky Ride is a FREE event hosted by Sky in partnership with British Cycling and Southampton City Council with support from the Primary Care Trust. Last year the five Sky Ride events saw more than 110,000 cycling fans flood the streets. Twelve Sky Ride events will take place in 10 major cities across the UK this summer with smaller local rides also taking place across the country. This year is going to be bigger and better with the aim of 10,000 cyclists participating in the Southampton event!
Sky Ride is for everyone, no matter how old you are and no matter how good or bad you are at cycling, you can join in! You can ride around the 6 mile route between 10am - 4pm as many times as you like, or you can take it slowly and make a day of it. For cyclists and non- cyclists alike, there will be lots to see and do. It will be a whole festival of fun with something for everyone and you can expect to see a few familiar faces taking part, including some of your favourite personalities as well as GB’s cycling greats. Sky Ride ambassador and chef Jean Christophe Novelli and Olympic Gold Medalist Victoria Pendleton will be attending the Southampton event. There will be some fun cycling challenges and coaches on hand to provide tips and advice.
Sky Ride is by far the greatest excuse to have fun on your bike. As well as providing a unique opportunity to see the city in a new light, it's a fantastic chance for everyone to ride together with no fear of cars, and enjoy a day of cycling.
Register For Free
Registration for Sky Ride Southampton is free. It is very easy and takes no time at all. Simply visit the Sky Ride web site: goskyride.com to get involved - the link is a the end of this page. The web site has tips and expert advice on how to ride comfortably and safely, plus new from Sky’s cycling ambassadors and British Cycling stars. The site will be regularly updated, so check back for more exclusive information in the lead up to the big day! The site will also feature tips and expert advice on how to ride safely and look stylish plus views from Sky Ride’s cycling ambassadors and bike hire if you need one for the day.
The Route
The circular route is approximately 6 miles and the loop links Hoglands Park, city centre (Bargate), central parks and Southampton Common. We must emphasise that this is not a race and cyclists can use the route between 1000hrs –1600hrs.
The Route:
Hoglands Park > Hanover Buildings > left past Bargate > Loop back past Bargate > Hanover Buildings > Houndwell Park > Palmerston Park > Park Walk > East Park > Above Bar Street > Watts Park > Above Bar Street > London Road > The Avenue in specific allocated lane > Banister Road in allocated lane > Hulse Road in allocated lane > Northlands Road > Southampton Common > The Avenue southbound in specific allocated lane > London Road > Above Bar Street > East Park > Palmerston Park > Palmerston Road > option to dismount cycles and enjoy activities in Hoglands Park or continue on Palmerston Road into Hanover Buildings to follow route round again...
A google map of the route can be seen below
View Sky Ride Route - 25 July 2010 in a larger map
Road Closures, vehicle restrictions and diversions for the Route
Every effort has been made to minimise disruption to vehicle users in the city, though a number of road closures and diversions will be put in place. Where possible, it might be helpful for you to make alternative plans for parking and vehicle access during the road closures.
Car Parking
If you are driving to the event - please use the many city centre car parks.
Alternatively, there are two "Hubs" for the event where you can park your car and cycle to join the main Sky Ride Route. Parking is free at the Hubs, but spaces are limited and allocated on a first come first served basis. At the Hubs you can pick up your free Sky Ride fluorescent bib. The cycle route from the Hubs to the main event route will be sign posted - follow the Sky Ride signs.
Hub at Lordshill Recreaton Ground, Redbridge Lane, Southampton Hampshire SO16 9BP
Hub at Riverside Park, Manor Farm Road Southampton Hampshire SO18 1DE
Event Volunteers
Volunteer at the Southampton Sky Ride - the city needs you!
As you can imagine the personnel needed on the day of this free mass participation event is huge.
We need assistance with site management, route signage, managing entertainment on the day and of course marshals along the whole of the route.
It doesn't matter if you have not had any event experience before and you don’t have to be able to ride a bike, you will only be allocated tasks that you know you can do. Volunteers usually work in teams and have fun whilst still giving something back to the community; you will not be on your own and may even meet new friends. We give full briefings to all volunteers and provide hi-vis vests and refreshments. Whether you just have a couple of hours to spare or the whole day, we would welcome your help.
If you would like to volunteer at Southampton Sky Ride please contact Eleanor Wilde on 023 8083 4088 or email eleanor.wilde@southampton.gov.uk
Entertainment
We are planning to have free entertainment in specific areas along the Sky Ride route.
Are you a juggler , better still a juggler on a unicycle, a choir, a musician or a band, a family entertainer, a mascot, face painters, theatre group, dance troupe, cheer leaders, MC? Anyone with talent are welcome to come along and entertain the thousands of cyclists in the city on the big day! You can even bring your bike too. If you would like to get involved please contact Clare Blay on 023 8083 2906 or email events@southampton.gov.uk
Sky Ride Local
A series of Sky Ride Local events will also be taking place across the country. Trained cycle leaders from British Cycling will guide small groups of cyclists on routes around London, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Leicester and Southampton every Sunday throughout the summer. The local rides will offer a selection of routes at different levels of difficulty ranging from Ride Easy and Ride Steady for any age or ability, to Ride Well and Ride Strong for adults and teenager who want a slightly harder challenge.
If you would like to contact someone about this page, please send an email to: events@southampton.gov.uk
