Bath gets Sky Ride 2011 off to a great start

The rain on Sunday didn't deter the five thousand cyclists that took the chance to ride round the ancient city of Bath on traffic-free streets. One of the main hubs of activity was The Royal Crescent Lawn, where the Bike Cafe provided a place to relax with a cuppa and a piece of cake, pick up information about cycling routes, and chat to other riders about the day's fun.

One such family taking a break was Catherine and Harry, who'd been enjoying the event with their children Harriet and Georgina.

"This is our first Sky Ride. It's really, really good - it's so nice to be able to cycle freely on the roads without the fear of the traffic. We came down here when the rain had cleared a little - actually we haven't ridden all the course yet but we will after we've finished the cake!" Asked if the event would encourage them to get on their bikes more in future, they said "We will carry on riding after today, we don't like the traffic,it does put us off a little with the kids but we do like cycling so yeah we will carry on.'

Just finishing their second time on the route were Annie and Pippa who were on their way to the Bike cafe;

"It was fantastic, we rode here earlier and got soaked but we dried off and we're really glad we came now. We've really enjoyed a fantastic day."

TV presenter Gethin Jones, a Sky Ride ambassador, was kept busy during the day signing Sky Ride bibs and posing for photographs for cyclists and press alike. Gethin has been an ambassador for Sky Ride from the beginning:

"I always cycled as a kid but since being involved with the Sky Rides I've taken cycling a bit more seriously. I've got a nice bike now and I use it for socialising and from getting from A to B in the city. I actually did my first race a couple of weeks ago, a triathlon team relay. We finished fourth overall - I did the bike section and it was such a great experience." Gethin's also delighted about the effects Sky Ride is having: "The whole aim of the partnership between Sky and British Cycling is to get a million more people on their bikes by 2013, and to date we've got 400,000 more people back in the saddle. We're almost halfway there so it is encouraging people to get out on their bikes. But Sky Ride is more than just closing roads and having a bit of fun during the summer. goskyride.com gives loads of advice on how to ride safely on your own and as a family, and how to maintain your bike. Cycling has become quite trendy and is becoming a normal way of commuting."

Team GB BMX star Liam Phillips was also on hand to sign bibs and chat with the riders in the bike cafe:

"I'm here to show my support for a fantastic campaign and hopefully encourage as many people as possible to get out on their bikes. It's a little different to what I'm used to but at the end of the day it's about riding your bike. I've been riding bikes competitively  since I was five years old but I still love riding with my family and my mates. I've got my bike with me today so I'll be out on the route later with the other riders."

So all in all a good start to the 2011 rides in Bath. With all the cheery smiles and friendly waves, the rain just seemed to disappear...

Find out more about Sky Ride Bath and other events and opportunities in the area.