GREAT Britain's most decorated Olympian is coming to Bradford to boost the city's fifth annual Sky Ride later this month.

Cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy, who holds six Olympic gold medals, will join riders on the 6km route, starting from City Park on Sunday, September 28.

Thousands of residents and visitors are expected to attend the event, organised by Sky and British Cycling in conjunction with Bradford Council, which aims to bring a "festival atmosphere" to the city.

“Sky Ride is a campaign I’m proud to be a part of again this year, and it’s all about getting out on your bike with your friends and family and having fun," said Sir Chris.

"With over a million more people getting out on their bikes regularly, it’s great to see so many people loving the sport I love too.

"It’s been an incredible summer for cycling in Yorkshire with the start of the Tour De France taking place in the region, and I can’t wait to see everyone inspired by Le Grand Depart come together to enjoy a fantastic Sky Ride event.”

The route, which will be open and traffic-free from 11am to 3pm, begins at City Park, before heading up Darley Street and down Manningham Lane to Lister Park, which will feature a range of family activities including climbing walls, bouncy castles, zorbs and a surf simulator.

Riders will then head back to the city past Valley Parade and City Hall before reaching the finish, where the Ride Social Bike Café will provide well-earned refreshments, and a brand new ‘Tricks & Tunes’ area will showcase unicycle displays and a thrilling airbag jump.

Councillor Andrew Thornton, Bradford Council's executive member for environment and sport, said: "Having Chris Hoy, the most successful Olympic cyclist of all time, attending Sky Ride Bradford is an enormous privilege, and recognition of the great success of the event.

"He is hugely popular with the public and a great role model, and it will be an enormous boost to all the cyclists involved."

Sky Ride is a national campaign encouraging thousands of people of all ages and abilities to get on a bike and discover the fun, freedom and health benefits cycling can offer, with Sky Ride Local events taking place every Sunday in and around Bradford.

Tricia Thompson, Sky’s director of cycling said: “I can’t think of a more fitting person to attend the final Yorkshire Sky Ride Big Bike Event than Sir Chris.

"It’s hard not to be inspired by his achievements in cycling, and it’ll be great to see his passion for the sport inspiring others to get out on their bikes and give cycling a go."

For full details on Sky Ride Bradford, visit www.goskyride.com.