The event lets people enjoy cycling in a traffic-free environment, and encourages all ages and abilities to ride around their city at their own pace with friends and family – all for free. Some 10,000 people took to the streets of Southampton for last year’s Sky Ride.
You can dip in and out of the five-mile route as you wish, and enjoy entertainment at various locations – see the programme below.
Guildhall Square will be one of the focal points on the day, featuring live music, a mountain bike aerial display team and more entertainment.
Pedalling out of Guildhall Square, the route will take you along West Marlands Road and into Watts Park, passing the sculpture (‘Enclosure’ by Paul De Monchaux, 2000) and around the statue of composer Isaac Watts before heading onto the Cenotaph.
Musical treats
Next it’s across the road into East Park, around the Peace Fountain and then freewheeling all the way into Palmerston Park (New Road will be closed for the day so you can cross in complete safety). ‘Music in the City’ will be taking over The Bandstand for the day so you can expect musical treats whenever you happen to pass.
Then it’s into Houndwell Park which will play host to some great fun activities for children, including an appearance from Dora the Explorer, among others.
Leaving the parks, you’ll head along Hanover Buildings then through the gateway of the Bargate monument before heading down into the subway by West Quay Shopping Centre, passing through the plaza outside Waterstones.
Heading down a specially-built ramp, it’s time to take in the Old Town and the Arcades along Western Esplanade, passing the De Vere Grand Harbour hotel ahead of a quick detour into Mayflower Park – perhaps to catch a glimpse of one the magnificent cruise liners that call Southampton home.
Free entertainment
Out of Mayflower Park, you can ride through Dock Gate 8. Described as “the lifeblood of Southampton” it’s an important part of the city that is often unseen by people living here. The Cruise Terminal will be the venue for more free entertainment and a good place to take a break before getting back in the saddle.
Still in the Docks, the route now leads you along the waterfront, looping round the giant fruit importing terminal taking in some dramatic views across Southampton Water.
From here you’ll rejoin the route as it heads back into the city centre and, after a few twists and turns takes you back to the event village at Guildhall Square.
The route is plotted on a Google map here
Thea Bjaaland, StreetTread’s Active Travel Co-ordinator said: "Finding enjoyable local bike routes in Southampton can be a brilliant way for families and friends to get out together and a great way to get kids out and active in the fresh air. For those with less cycling experience, coming to the Sky Ride is a great way to give it a go."
Television presenter and model Kirsty Gallacher, pictured, is the ‘ambassador’ for Sky Ride Southampton this year and will be joining riders on the five-mile route. Sky Ride Southampton is organised by Southampton City Council in partnership with Sky and British Cycling.
The provisional entertainment line up, which is subject to change, has been released as follows:
Entertainment Schedule (subject to change)
Time |
Activity |
1000 – 1600 |
Dora the Explorer character / Kids activities sheet distribution / buskers tent – Houndwell Park |
1000 – 1600 |
South Cost Radio – Mayflower Park |
1000 - 1600 |
Team Extreme stunts – on route ( see below for times at docks) |
1000 - 1600 |
M.A.D. Stunt team – GH Forecourt (4 shows) |
1000 - 1600 |
South Coast Sprints static rolla challenge - GHS |
1000 - 1500 |
Lord Frederick Silver – GHS & Parks |
1000 - 1600 |
Buzzy The Clown - – GHS & Parks |
1130 & 1230 |
Oranges and Apples Storytelling – Houndwell Park |
1000 - 1500 |
Face painters x 2 – Houndwell Park |
1000 - 1500 |
Unicyclist - – GHS & Parks |
1000 - 1500 |
Unicyclist Matt P – GHS & Parks |
1000 – 1100 |
Dave Cox’s Dixielanders – Cruise Terminal Docks |
1000 – 1600 |
2 x Battery PA systems – Fruit Terminal Docks |
1000 - 1600 |
Acoustic Jass – GHS & Parks |
1000 – 1600 |
Busker Tent – Houndwell Park |
1020 – 1100 |
Jez’z boy – Bandstand |
1100 – 1130 |
Team Extreme stunt bikes – Cruise Terminal Docks |
11.20 – 1200 |
Lucy Kitchen – Bandstand |
1130 – 1300 |
Dave Cox’s Dixielanders – Cruise Terminal Docks |
1200 - 1400 |
Mike Bunce Accordionist |
1220 – 1300 |
The Common – Bandstand |
1300 – 1330 |
Team Extreme stunt bikes – Cruise Terminal Docks |
1320 – 1400 |
Moral Soul – Bandstand |
1330 - 1400 |
Dave Cox’s Dixielanders – Cruise Terminal Docks |
1420 – 1500 |
Guilded Youth – Bandstand |
1400 – 1430 |
Team Extreme stunt bikes – Cruise Terminal Docks |
1430 – 1600 |
Dave Cox’s Dixielanders – Cruise Terminal Docks |
1520 – 1600 |
The Novatones – Bandstand |