MAYOR BORIS TO OPEN NEW REDBRIDGE CIRCUIT AT HOG HILL NEXT TUESDAY
At long last, the newly built Redbridge Cycle Circuit at Hog Hill is to be officially opened next Tuesday (August 19), by Mayor of London Boris Johnson, accompanied by Labour MP Kate Hoey.
The ribbon will be cut at 10am!
The announcement caught British Cycling Eastern Region by surprise and they have hurriedly put together a racing programme to show off the two-kilometre hilly circuit, which commands fine views west across the London skyline.
London riders and those across the south are itching to turn their wheels on what many say will be the toughest, most spectacular cycle road racing venue in the country.
?Please can you let all your club and team members who may wish to attend, have a look round, have a ride round the circuit or take part in the first races on this auspicious occasion know about this event,? says Glyn Durrant, competition administrator for Eastern Region.
The Hog Hill circuit, which comprises an 800-metre Indy circuit, the full 2-kilometre loop plus an mtb circuit, has been built by the London Development Agency. It is to be the temporary relocation home for the popular Eastway circuit, which was closed two years ago and demolished to make way for the Olympic Park in Hackney.
It will be operated by Redbridge Borough Council. The gates open at 8am.
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Bicycles will be available on loan for those without a bike who wish to train on the circuit until 9am.
Racing starts at 09.45 with a youth race. While this is going on, the official opening ceremony by the Mayor will take place 10.00.
At 11.15, the 25-lap senior race kicks off, for elite, 1,2,3,4 category riders.
This will be followed by a road display by a ?specialist rider?.
Thereafter, the intention is for the circuits to be open for all to ride after the last race, under the supervision of British Cycling Coaches.
At the discretion of the organiser and chief commissaire, race training may then be permitted until 3pm, the closing ceremony.
Entrance to Hog Hill is from Forest Road, Hainault.
Keith Bingham joined the Cycling Weekly team in the summer of 1971, and retired in 2011. During his time, he covered numerous Tours de France, Milk Races and everything in-between. He was well known for his long-running 'Bikewatch' column, and played a pivotal role in fighting for the future of once at-threat cycling venues such as Hog Hill and Herne Hill Velodrome.