Prudential RideLondon in Kingston upon Thames

The Prudential RideLondon is a legacy of the 2012 Olympic Games. It’s an annual festival of cycling developed by the Mayor of London and managed by London & Surrey Cycling Partnership.

The event was cancelled for 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19.

Below is a summary of the 2019 RideLondon

Kingston upon Thames is a great place to see the action as it’s the only point where the cyclists can pass through on both inbound and outbound legs. Kingston celebrates the event with activities in the town centre: big screen, live music, street entertainment and BMX stunt show. There are lots of cafes, restaurant and bars and all the shops will be open for business.

Events on Sunday usually run from London through Surrey. Trains, cycling and walking are the best forms of transport to Kingston on the day. Roads are usually closed from 05:00 on the Sunday and are reopened by 19:30 –  though some open earlier. Check with the Prudential or TFL site for the latest details.

Which Prudential Ride London races come through Kingston?

Around 25,000 cyclists are in the following events passing though Kingston at least once:

• Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic This is 150 top pro cyclists. Starts 14:10 in Bushy Park and expected, 144k later,  in Kingston around 17:22 (one way only through Kingston)
• Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 Entry by public ballot, it’s the 2012 Olympic 100 mile route. Passing through Kingston at 25 miles and 85 miles. Starts in waves from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park at  05:45 -08:55. Get the RideLondon app to track them.
• Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 46 Ballot entry, for newer or younger cyclists who prefer a 46 mile route rather than the big 100. Starts in waves with the first riders getting to Kingston 10:30am and last, about 11:45am. Get the RideLondon app to track them.
• Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 19 No Ballot, though sign up in advance. A 19 mile route for younger cyclists and families (one way through Kingston)

Good places to see the action

• The Ancient Market Place: Not only at the heart of the activity with cycling related events, BMX stunt display, giant screen, food stalls, cafes and shops but the inbound cyclists pass through the Market Place
• Kingston Bridge and the main approach roads to Kingston Bridge, Wood Street, Clarence Street, Fairfield North, Cromwell Road
• Portsmouth Road leading into Kingston from Surbiton for the inbound leg

Town centre activities wind down at 18:00 and all roads should be open by 19:30 – some earlier on outbound routes. A3 open on the day but some slip roads are closed. Richmond park is closed to traffic all day.

• ridelondon.co.uk

See places to eat in an around Kingston for more information

If you are in Kingston’s Market Place there are pop-up-food places, cafes, pubs and restaurants. Take the passageway next to Joules and you will be in the Apple Market where you ‘ll find The Terrace and other cafes with outside seating. The Bentall Centre and Bentall’s department store also have food areas and if you are after Kingston Riverside bars and restaurants take one of the passageways near Next or TK Max. Bill’s, The Bishop, Woodies, Cote and lots more.
Head down the main pedestrianised high street and onto Fife Road which has fabulous cafes and restaurants.

If you have chosen Portsmouth Road to watch the action you won’t be far from Hart’s Boatyard,  and Ginger Bees.

The perfect viewing position for spectators and will be serving coffee and breakfast from 7:30 am and continuing through the day with a great selection of salads, sandwiches, cakes and more. Closing at 6pm.
Queens promenade, Portsmouth Rd, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2LZ

FreeCycle Saturday 3rd August 2019

Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle offers a brilliant opportunity to get the whole family together to experience the fun and freedom of cycling on traffic-free roads in central London. The route is open from 09:00-16:00 and takes in the Strand and Lincoln’s Inn Fields before returning to the Victoria Embankment via the newly opened East-West Cycle Superhighway (CS3). You can register for the event or just turn up on the day.

Brompton World Championship Saturday 3rd August 2019