Watch out for Sky Ride
Plans for sky Ride 2011 are currently being finalised but in the meantime check out the success we have had over the past two years:
The 2010 events built on the success of 2009, with over 200,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities taking part in the 12 events that we held across 10 UK cities last summer. Since launch in July 2009, across all Sky’s national cycling activities we have encouraged over 376,000 people to become new regular cyclists (cycling at least once a month or twelve times a year).
Sky Ride events last summer were backed by a line-up of celebrities and pro-cyclists who attended the events across the country, giving participants the opportunity to ride alongside the likes of Sir Chris Hoy Kelly Brook. Participants enjoyed the entertainment on the Sky Ride stage, Q&A sessions on the sofa with our celebs, bicycle bingo and local bands. All participants were also able to collect their free high viz Sky Ride vest, enjoy a free drink from Gatorade and have a free bike check by Evans.
Visit: www.goskyride.com (opens in a new window) for photos and videos from all our 2010 events
2011 promises to be another fantastic year for Sky Ride, with even more people than ever taking part in our city events, across even more cities in the UK.
Visit: www.goskyride.com (opens in a new window) for all the latest information and the announcement of our 2011 city ride dates and locations coming soon.
Sky Ride Local
In each Sky Ride city we also delivered a programme of Sky Ride Locals – free, weekly led cycle rides by British Cycling trained ride leaders. A total of 730 community rides have been delivered to date and attracted over 13,500 participants. The rides offer a pathway for people to keep cycling, and capture the excitement and enthusiasm created by the city events. Riders can pick a level to suit their age and ability and allow cyclists to explore their local area as well as meet like minded people and provide a chance to improve confidence levels.
Sky Ride local has offered a real legacy in each city with the creation of quality, mapped routes, training for tutors and leaders and the opportunity to integrate local networks of clubs and social cycling groups. 84% of Sky Ride Local attendees said they would definitely cycle more regularly as a result of taking part in Sky Ride Local.
We also piloted a series of women only led rides in Birmingham this summer which we plan to expand in 2011 through our partnership with British Cycling.
Expansion for 2011
We aim to expand the Sky Ride Local programme in 2011, delivering over 750 local rides and training over 800 new ride leaders. The programme will be extended into new towns and cities across the UK, and will run from May to October. London and Manchester Sky Ride Local 2011 dates are now live on our website - visit www.goskyride.com (opens in a new window) for more details and to book your place!
Cycletta
New for 2011 – Sky Ride are supporting a series of women-only cycling events on safe closed roads called Cycletta, which have been designed to help women get fit, take part in a sporting challenge, raise money for charity and escape with friends. 2011 will have 2 events, Cycletta North and Cycletta South.
Visit: www.cycletta.co.uk (opens in a new window) for more information.
Go Ride Racing
Sky also supports Go Ride, British Cycling’s established schools programme that introduces children to all disciplines of cycling and encourages them to compete through Go Ride Racing. To date over 800 racing events have been delivered and seen over 13,000 children take part to date.
Sky & British Cycling’s grassroots programme forms part of our campaign to transform cycling across the UK through ‘Inspiration to Participation’. We aim to get a million more people cycling regularly by 2013 and inspire people through the success of the Great Britain team and the formation of Team Sky, who aim to be the first British Team to win the Tour de France by 2013.
Check out the video (above) from Sky Ride events across the UK this summer
Visit: www.goskyride.com/ (opens in a new window) to keep up to date with all the latest Sky Ride info and our plans for 2011 as they are released.