Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle, part of the Mayor of London's multi-award winning festival of cycling, will return to the City of London and Westminster from 09:00 to 16:00 on Saturday 9 August. 

More than 50,000 participants of all ages and abilities are expected to enjoy cycling on eight miles of traffic-free roads through the centre of London on a route that features many of London's most famous landmarks, including: Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London and Guildhall. 

This year's event has built on the huge success of the inaugural event in 2013 and will feature two more Festival Zones and new Explore Routes. It's free to register and all registrants will be sent a tabard and magazine, plus a goody bag from the Prudential RideLondon Cycling Show. 

New for 2014:

*    The Explore Routes have been added to the route in the City of London within the existing road-closure zone to enable participants to discover the secrets of the City on traffic-free roads

*    The event will open with an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the world's biggest bike bell ensemble. The call is out to recruit 600 cyclists to join the Prudential RideLondon Bike Bell Orchestra in the world premiere of a new composition in Guildhall Yard at 09:00 on Saturday 9 August

*    Guildhall Yard and Leadenhall Market join Green Park, Tower Hill and St Paul's Churchyard as official Festival Zones. A wide range of bike-based entertainment and activities will take place at each site during the day including: music zones, bands on bikes, stilt bicycles, Penny Farthings, bike polo, BMX and MTB demos, big screens showing all the action, facepainting and bike doctors on hand in case of any technical problems. Each Festival Zone will also have cycle parking for participants to leave their bikes while they enjoy the free entertainment on offer. 

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "In my experience there is no greater way to enjoy London than on two wheels and the returning Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle is the perfect time to hop on your bike and take in some of the city's most iconic sights. Thousands of Londoners young and old will be taking part and, whether avid enthusiasts from the Lycra brigade, those finally rediscovering their cycling mojo, or newcomers looking to see what all the fuss is about, it promises to be a fantastic celebration of the humble bicycle and our great city." 

Cathy Lewis, Executive Director at Prudential, said: "The sight of several thousand families enjoying a traffic-free cycle ride around some world-famous landmarks is one of the main highlights of the weekend for me. The FreeCycle event makes the Prudential RideLondon weekend something that anyone and everyone can enjoy." 

The London Cycling Campaign will provide led rides to and from all London boroughs enabling individuals and groups to cycle from home to the centre of London with return led rides at the end of the day. Full details will be announced in late June. 

An extensive communications campaign is already underway, to help businesses and the public plan and get around on the day, as well as make the most of the events over the weekend. A series of public information sessions will be held next month in the affected areas to provided details of the temporary changes in place and present residents and businesses with the opportunity to ask questions. Information on travel disruption and advice is available on www.tfl.gov.uk/prudentialridelondon. 

Prudential RideLondon comprises four separate events: the Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle, the Prudential RideLondon Grand Prix, the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 and the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic over the weekend of 9-10 August 2014. Find out more at www.PrudentialRideLondon.co.uk. 

Participants can register now at www.PrudentialRideLondon.co.uk/FreeCycle.