THE streets of west London will once again play host to thousands of cyclists this summer as the Olympic legacy kicks into action.

More than 20,000 amateur cyclists are set to ride from the newly renamed Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Sunday, August 4, winding through the streets of the capital and making their way into Surrey, following a similar route to last year’s road race.

The fundraising amateur race will be followed by a professional race later that day, called the RideLondon-Surrey Classic, which will feature 150 of the world’s best riders, including the likes of Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish.

Cyclists for both events will set off from the park, making their way through central London via the A4 and the Hammersmith Flyover, pedalling over Chiswick Bridge and into Housnlow. From there they will go through Kingston, Richmond and Surrey before returning via Putney Bridge and New Kings Road, finishing on the Mall.

These events are part of an Olympic legacy festival of cycling called RideLondon, hosted by Mayor of London Boris Johnson over the weekend of August 3 and 4.

The weekend has been arranged to capitalise on the enormous success and popularity of the Team GB Olympic cycling team and to encourage cycling in the capital.

As with the cycling events last year, transport disruption is expected across west London.

News of the announcement created a stir locally as councillors rushed to highlight Hounslow's distinction as having been the first in outer London to be named a Biking Borough by the Mayor of London.

Councillor Colin Ellar, deputy leader of Hounslow Council, said: "I am really looking forward to this fantastic celebration of cycling. Hounslow loves cycling and our residents cycle more than most Londoners – so the great and the good of cycling can expect a rapturous welcome in Chiswick."

The Hounslow section of the route includes the A4 from Hammersmith, the Hogarth roundabout and the A316 through to Chiswick Bridge.

According to TfL's recent London Travel Demand Survey 4.5% of all trips originating in Hounslow are made by bike. The borough hosted the first ever Mayor's outer London Skyride event in August 2009. The council and TfL are currently designing Cycle Superhighway 9 along the A315, aiming to make it the best Cycle Superhighway in terms of infrastructure quality and continuity.

For more information, visit www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk