BMX ace joins Sky Ride Plymouth

Local pro-cyclist Charlotte Green will open this year’s Sky Ride Plymouth event on Sunday 31 May.

Charlotte, a member of the Great Britain Cycling Team, will be joining thousands of people from across the region for the closed road cycling event, starting and finishing at Saltram.

The 20-year-old from Cornwall joined the team’s Olympic Academy Programme in 2013 and has since had some promising results at world cup level. She recently gained fourth place at the opening round of the 2014 BMX Supercross World Cup in Manchester.

Looking ahead to Sky Ride Plymouth, she said: “I’m delighted to be coming along to Sky Ride Plymouth on 31 May. I’ve heard a lot about these amazing events but have yet to actually experience one myself, so I’m looking forward to seeing thousands of people on their bikes on the streets of Plymouth. See you there!”

Plymouth City Council and British Cycling have organised a packed programme of activities for the day.

Kicking off at 9.30am the eight-kilometre circular route will start outside Saltram House before heading off to the St Boniface Arena speedway track. The ride will then pass through Sainsbury’s before taking in the newly refurbished Laira Rail Bridge and returning to Saltram via The Ride.

Deputy Council Leader Peter Smith said: “Sky Ride Plymouth offers a great family day out, with loads to do both on and off a bike. There will be music and entertainment, competitions, extreme challenges and, above all, an awesome route suitable for cyclists of all ages and abilities.”

Visit Tricks and Tunes at the speedway arena for some jaw-dropping, heart pumping extreme mountain bike shows and action-packed fun that will encourage kids and adults to push their boundaries and try something new. Take part in skills workshops and try out the popular Air Bag, or sit back and watch the professionals in action.

There will also be fitness and cycle skills sessions courtesy of Total Rebuild Fitness and Go Cycle, as well as a range of outdoor games to enjoy.

After completing the ride, enjoy a gentle stroll around the National Trust’s stunning gardens at Saltram and meet the gardeners, who will tell you everything you need to know about planting seeds and home-growing. You can even plant your seeds with the gardeners then take them home.

Don’t forget to drop in at the Hub and Market Place outside Saltram House to find out about Sky Ride Local guided ride programme, Breeze women’s rides and Ride Social cycling, as well as information on local clubs and shops in the city.

To register for Sky Ride Plymouth and find out about all the great ways you can get back on your bike this summer visit goskyride.com/plymouthskyride. Everyone who registers will be entitled to a free expert bike check (worth £14.99) at Halfords and a reflective Sky Ride bib.