RideLondon

Course Highlights

• Victoria Embankment start past the Houses of Parliament
• Closed-road ride through central London
• Rolling Essex countryside
• Essex village communities cheering riders
• London landmarks on the return

The Course

RideLondon begins in central London, with riders setting off from Victoria Embankment near the Houses of Parliament. The opening miles travel through the heart of the city on fully closed roads, passing landmarks like Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf before heading east into Essex. The unique experience of cycling through London's streets without any traffic is thrilling.

The middle section of the route travels through the Essex countryside on rolling roads. While not mountainous, the terrain features enough undulations to test fitness, with several short, sharp climbs through villages like Fyfield, High Roding, and Writtle. The well-stocked feed stations and community support in the Essex towns and villages create a festive atmosphere.

The return to London brings riders back along the Embankment, past the Tower of London, and through the City of London before the finish. The closed-road format, professional organization, and the backdrop of London and the English countryside make RideLondon one of the most popular cycling events in Europe. The event also includes shorter distance options, making it accessible to riders of varying abilities.

History

RideLondon was inspired by the success of the cycling events during the 2012 London Olympics and was first held in 2013. It was created to promote cycling in London and has become the UK's biggest cycling festival, attracting around 25,000 riders for the 100-mile event.

The route has evolved over the years. Originally it went south into Surrey and included the famous Box Hill climb, but the current route heads east through Essex. The fully closed roads and professional organization have set a new standard for mass-participation cycling events in the UK.

How to Train for RideLondon