The biggest festival of cycling in the world, Prudential RideLondon , is just around the corner, with the expanded event taking place over three days for the first time, from Friday July 29 to Sunday July 31.

Staged for the first time in August 2013, more than 25,000 cyclists descended on the capital last year for the weekend event.

This year there are seven events taking place over the three days, and all are free for the public to watch and enjoy.

And if you want to go along and watch the cyclists do their thing, it's important to know the routes; take a look at the official course maps and make sure you can get round effectively.

Route maps for Saturday

Freecycle

Below is the map for the Freecycle, which will take place on Saturday July 30 from 9am.

This race offers families the opportunity to experience the fun and freedom of cycling on traffic-free roads in central London.

Classique

This race takes place on Saturday July 30 from 5pm. The new Prudential RideLondon Classique women's race will take place on a 5.5km circuit in central London.

Route maps for Sunday

RideLondon-Surrey 100

This takes place on Sunday July 31 from 6am. The race starts in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, then follows a 100-mile route on closed roads through London and into Surrey.

RideLondon-Surrey Classic

The big one. Taking place on Sunday July 31 from 1.30pm, the race sees 150 of the world's top cyclists tackling a 200km route through London and Surrey.

RideLondon-Surrey 46

A new event for 2016, this race will take place on Sunday July 31 from 9am.

The sportive (remember, it’s not a race!) comprises a 46-mile route on traffic-free roads.

The routes of the long races, including the classic, 46, and the 100, follow similar routes through west London and Surrey. The shorter races on Saturday July 30 will be contained to Westminster .

The RideLondon-Surrey 100 - the festival's longest race - takes place through Westminster , many parts of west London, including Hammersmith , Chiswick and Putney , and through Kingston Upon Thames into Surrey, and then back again.

Check out our guide to what's going on and when at this year's event so you can plan what to watch!