BIKE STAR MATT GEARS UP FOR CITY’S SKY RIDE

Roads will be shut around city centre and Etihad Campus for annual celebration of cycling

THOUSANDS of people taking part in this weekend’s Sky Ride will get the chance to meet a star of British cycling.

Great Britain Cycling Team’s Matt Crampton will officially open Sunday’s event by leading out riders at the National Cycling Centre from 10am.

And Matt will also meet cycling fans throughout the day, visit attractions along the route and even sign cyclists’ Sky Ride bibs at the National Cycling Centre after a question and answer session in the afternoon.

The 12km Sky Ride route takes cyclists through the BMX arena and around the Velodrome at the centre.

It also snakes around the Etihad Campus and through the heart of Chinatown in central Manchester.

Roads will close to allow participants to cycle through traffic-free streets until 4pm, with riders able to join the course at any point.

Councillor Chris Paul, who will help to launch the ride and is cycling champion on the Transport for Greater Manchester committee, said: “It’s great to have Sky Ride back in Manchester for the seventh year. It’s always a great day out with people experiencing the freedom of the traffic-free streets.

“It doesn’t matter how old you are, how old your bike is, or how fast you ride – it’s all about getting on your bike and having fun.

“By offering skills courses and cycle hubs, supporting events like this, and building a network of green, quiet and largely segregated, we aim to increase journeys by bike in Greater Manchester from about two per cent to more than 10 per cent in just 10 years.”

Free entertainment will be on offer in the Tricks and Tunes area at Etihad Campus, including extreme stunt cycling shows and Go Ride racing.

All the roads on the routes will be closed to traffic from 9am to 5pm.

Bike hire will be available for anyone who hasn’t got their own bike but wants to take part.

Halfords will also offer free bike safety checks at the National Cycling Centre to people registered for the event.

With a sprint zone for races and information on cycling clubs across Greater Manchester, as well as great music, entertainment and competi- tions, the ride is open to all ages and abilities.

For more information visit www.goskyride.com/ ManchesterSkyRide.