Tower Bridge will once again provide the stunning backdrop to the finale of this year’s Ford RideLondon-Essex 100, 60 and 30-mile challenge rides on Sunday 28 May.

The Ford RideLondon-Essex 100, 60 and 30 are the three mass participation rides that form part of the world’s greatest festival of cycling, and, for a second year, the routes will start on Victoria Embankment in central London and finish in spectacular fashion at Tower Bridge.

A renewed partnership with Essex County Council means the routes will again enable participants to explore Essex, where sponsor Ford is also headquartered. A wide range of improvements have been put in place for 2023 following feedback and engagement on the 2022 event. These include:

• an improved start process using St James’s Park in central London
• improved local access plans for communities on the route
• increased provision of managed vehicle crossing points on the route
• improved communications with social care providers
• enhanced engagement programme with businesses on the route to help them plan ahead
• working with schools and community groups on the route to develop cycling and active travel initiatives around Ford RideLondon-Essex

The Ford RideLondon-Essex 100 route will head out of London past the Olympic Park and through the London boroughs of Westminster, City of London, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Hackney, Waltham Forest and Redbridge, before heading out into Essex via Epping Forest. This circuit of Essex will see riders pass through some of the county’s most picturesque towns, villages and countryside, including Epping, Ongar, Great Dunmow, Felsted and Writtle, with a section of the route a replica of the 2014 Tour de France stage that went through Essex and finished in central London.

The Ford RideLondon-Essex 60, the ride designed for people looking for a moderate challenge, reaches as far as Ongar in Essex before returning to finish in Southwark at Tower Bridge, while the Ford RideLondon-Essex 30, designed for those looking to take part in their first mass participation ride, reaches South Woodford before heading back to central London and the jaw-dropping Finish Line.
You can find more information and full route maps for the Ford RideLondon-Essex 100, Ford RideLondon-Essex 60 and Ford RideLondon-Essex 30 online.

Hugh Brasher, Event Director of Ford RideLondon Essex, said: “We carried out an extensive debrief process following last year’s event and the learnings will enable us to deliver an even better experience for all, from our participants to the communities on the route. We thank all our partners and stakeholders for helping in this process, particularly Transport for London, the Mayor of London and Essex County Council.

“The 2023 Ford RideLondon-Essex route offers participants the wonderful contrast of cycling on traffic-free roads in one of the world’s greatest cities with riding through some of the most beautiful countryside and picturesque towns and villages of Essex.”

Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: “After the success of RideLondon in 2022, I can’t wait to return to the streets of London and Essex for this year’s event.

“Ford RideLondon is a much-anticipated yearly highlight for the capital, with something for everyone to enjoy – from new cyclists who want to gain confidence, to more experienced riders looking for a chance to push themselves, plus the chance to cheer on the professionals.

“Cycling has seen a huge boom in London and this brilliant event will inspire people to take advantage of an environmentally friendly, cost-effective and fun way of getting around.”

Councillor Lee Scott, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport, said: “RideLondon-Essex 2022 was a successful event, but we want to make Ford RideLondon-Essex 2023 even better.

“With our beautiful countryside and picturesque villages, the event showcases the best of the county to a national and international audience, helping to boost business and tourism. It also aligns with our Everyone’s Essex objectives promoting physical activity to encourage healthy lifestyles and promoting walking and cycling as part of a move towards Net Zero.”