Mayor Boris Johnson has praised Hounslow as the 'hidden gem' of west London as he revealed the route for next month's mass cycling event.

The London Mayor urged people from across the capital to get on their bikes on Sunday, August 9 and check out the borough's beauty spots.
For one day only, cyclists of all ages and abilities will be able to ride a special 10km route free of other traffic.

The route takes in Osterley and Syon parks, with a special pontoon bridge being built over the lake at Syon to allow riders to avoid the existing 17th-century crossing, thought to be one of the oldest cast iron bridges in the world.

Mr Johnson said: “Hounslow is blessed with some of the most fantastic green spaces, and to misquote Michael Caine ‘not a lot of people know that’.

“The Skyride event coming to the borough will allow people from across the capital to discover this hidden gem of West London. At the same time, those that take part will experience the fun of cycling free from interference from cars, sharing in a celebration of the bike – the cleanest, greenest, handiest way of getting about town.”

The event is sponsored by Sky, which will provide entertainment and cycling information along the route to create a 'carnival atmosphere'.

Participants will be able to take a break at the lakeside picnic area and children can learn how to become better, safer riders at the 'Skyride Family' area.

Organised rides, led by experienced cyclists will leave from the following locations in the morning, returning in the afternoon: Feltham station; Bushy Park, Teddington; Ealing Town Hall; Barra Hill Park, Hillingdon; Ravenscourt Park, Hammersmith.

There are also a number of local Skyride practice sessions to help riders prepare for the event.

For more information and to register for the event, visit www.goskyride.com