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Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, today praised Hounslow as the “hidden gem” of West London as he urged people from across the capital to take part in the mass bike ride visiting the borough on Sunday 9 August.

Thousands of people are expected to take part in the free Mayor of London’s Skyride - Hounslow event, where cyclists of all ages and abilities can cycle along a special 10 km route, safe from interference from cars and other traffic.

The Mayor’s comments came as the full route for the event, which takes in some of the borough’s spectacular green spaces, was unveiled along with further detail about the day.

The route links the lush Osterley and Syon parks, two superb Grade 1 Listed mansions, and other historic buildings and places.  In Syon park a special pontoon bridge is being constructed over the lake to allow riders to avoid and preserve a 17th century crossing thought to be one of the oldest cast iron bridge structures in the world.

The Mayor said:

“Hounslow is blessed with some of the most fantastic green spaces, and to misquote Michael Caine ‘not a lot of people know that’.

“The Skyride event coming to the borough will allow people from across the capital to discover this hidden gem of West London.  At the same time, those that take part will experience the fun of cycling free from interference from cars, sharing in a celebration of the bike – the cleanest, greenest, handiest way of getting about town.”

Sky, supported by British Cycling, is setting itself the target of getting one million more people cycling in the next five years, by inspiring people, through events like Mayor of London’s Skyride - Hounslow and other initiatives. 

Corin Dimopoulos Sky’s Director of Cycling said: “It’s great to be bringing Skyride to Hounslow, home of Sky’s head quarters for the past two decades.  We hope thousands will enjoy the traffic free route and entertainment we’re laying on; whether they’re cycling novices or regular riders.”

Roaming entertainment will help give the event, which is part of a summer of cycling in the capital, a carnival atmosphere, and a festival area in Syon Park will include a range of activities and information from cycling groups and the event sponsors, Sky. 

Participants will be able to take in the scenery while taking a break at a lakeside picnic area, and at the ‘Skyride Family’ area kids can get involved in Go Ride where they will be taught how to become better, safer riders.

Organised led rides from five different parts of West London will give less confident cyclists the opportunity to join a group of cyclists, led by a more experienced rider, which will head to the route, and then return to the location later in the day.

Rides will depart from the following locations in the morning, returning in the afternoon:

• Feltham Railway Station
• Bushy Park, Teddington
• Ealing Town Hall, Ealing
• Barra Hill Park, Hillingdon
• Ravenscourt Park, Hammersmith

For those who would like to practise before the Mayor of London’s Skyride – Hounslow, there are a number of Skyride Local events - free group rides led by trained cycle leaders from British Cycling, for all ages and abilities.

To register for the Mayor of London’s Skyride – Hounslow, and for more information about Sunday 9th August and Skyride Local events visit: www.goskyride.com