Sky Ride, the mass participation cycle ride, comes to Leeds for its second year on Sunday, 15 June - with some of the University of Leeds' historic buildings providing a backdrop to the riders.
On Sunday, riders will go on a 6.5-kilometre loop around the city centre, a significant part of which will be through the University of Leeds campus.
The campus itself will be a hive of activity. In the precinct outside the Student Union there will be spin bikes for a cycling challenge, two rowing machines and ‘give it a go’ golf equipment, as well as the chance to meet ‘Frank’, the cycling skeleton!
The Sustainability Team is providing a bike-powered smoothie machine and a prize draw for a special University of Leeds-designed Tour de France cycling jersey will take place.
Outside the Student Union, ice creams, soft drinks and snacks will be available and the Refectory will be open between 10am and 2pm.
University of Leeds bikes will be available for use from the city centre, so people can still give cycling a go even if they don’t own their own bike,
Rob Wadsworth, Head of Sport and Physical Activity at the University of Leeds, said: “Sky Ride is a fantastic part of the build-up to the Grand Depart in Leeds this year.
“We’d encourage everyone to come down to campus and try the activities as the city gets on its bike for what is sure to be a fantastic event.”
The peloton will arrive at the University at the University Road entrance, before moving left onto Lifton Place and down towards University House.
From there, they will move back onto University Road, before going through the Parkinson Arch, turning right onto Cavendish Road and right to Hillary Place.
The route then takes the riders to Willow Terrace Road and onto Calverley Street, heading towards the centre of Leeds.
Among the new elements in the city centre this year are a special ‘loud zone tunnel’, additional supporting activities at Woodhouse Moor and a sprint zone, enabling riders to race head-to-head and emulate British sprint star Mark Cavendish.