The only way is Essex: Everything you need to know about the new RideLondon route

Tens of thousands of riders will once again line-up in central London to head out on closed roads as RideLondon, the UK’s biggest sportive, returns on May 29 with an entirely new route

RideLondon route in Essex
(Image credit: Future / Daniel Baines)

It doesn’t matter where you are in the world, there is something special about riding on closed roads. All the biggest sportives offer this experience, from the Etape du Tour in the French mountains, to Etape Caledonia’s lap of Loch Tummel in the heart of Scotland. The chance to ride in these amazing locations, on closed roads is a bucket list must-do ride for any aspiring cyclist. 

Will the roads of Essex slot RideLondon back into the pantheon of great events? A county not known for its hills, cycling folklore or stunning scenery but rather boy racers in souped up hatchbacks. Can it host an inspiring day’s riding for 25,000 people this summer? 

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Simon Richardson
Magazine editor

Editor of Cycling Weekly magazine, Simon has been working at the title since 2001. He fell in love with cycling 1989 when watching the Tour de France on Channel 4, started racing in 1995 and in 2000 he spent one season racing in Belgium. During his time at CW (and Cycle Sport magazine) he has written product reviews, fitness features, pro interviews, race coverage and news. He has covered the Tour de France more times than he can remember along with two Olympic Games and many other international and UK domestic races. He became the 130-year-old magazine's 13th editor in 2015.