Sky Ride returns to Southampton!

14,000 people joined Sky Sports News presenter Kirsty Gallacher and Team Sky Cyclists Davide Appollonio and Michael Rogers for Sky Ride Southampton on 14th August.

The free cycling event hosted by British Cycling and Sky, in partnership with Southampton City Council, allowed riders to take in a traffic-free 7.3km route through the city at their own pace. Participants were treated to a whole host of activities and entertainment, along the route and in the green open spaces of Palmerston Park.

Sky Ride ambassador Kirsty Gallacher commented: “Thank you to everyone who came out and took part in Sky Southampton today. It was a brilliant family day out and it was great to see so many bikes taking over the city’s streets. I hope it’s re-ignited your love of going out for a bike ride and that this is only the start of your cycling journey.”

Southampton City Council’s Councillor Royston Smith – leader of the council, said: “It’s fantastic that once again so many people joined us in Southampton to enjoy this fantastic event. As a city we're keen to promote the benefits of staying fit and healthy to local people and Sky Ride is playing an important part in that. It’s been a great day out and we hope everyone carries on cycling.”

Corin Dimopoulos, Sky’s Director of Cycling, said: “I’m delighted Sky Ride has returned to Southampton for the second year running and that so many people of all ages and abilities have been able to enjoy cycling through the city. Through our great partnership with Southampton City Council and British Cycling, we hope to build towards our aim of getting one million more Britons cycling regularly by the end of 2013.”

If Sky Ride Southampton whetted our appetite for getting back on your bike, Sky Ride Local rides are running every Sunday through the summer in and around the city.