SIX-TIME Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy will give Bradford's cycling hub his stamp of approval this weekend when he visits the city for this year's Sky Ride.

Britain's most decorated Olympian will take part in Sunday's ride and officially open the cycling hub in Lister Park, which will offers bicycles for anyone in the community and specialises in disability cycling.

The hub, which the result of a partnership between Bradford Council's Youth Services, Bradford Disability Sport and Leisure and the University of Bradford, has grown in recent years.

This year's ride - the fifth in the city organised by British Cycling, Sky and Bradford Council - includes, for the first time, a 100 yard sprint zone and Loud Zone Tunnel.

The sprint zone in Manningham Lane allows riders to race each other and the city centre inflatable tunnel will feature lights, music, bubbles, steam and smoke to spur riders on.

There will also be a brand new Tricks and Tunes space, with daring unicycle displays and a thrilling airbag jump to tackle, and the Terminator Torment area - a camouflaged assault course and a Spider Mountain giant slide.

Councillor Andrew Thornton, the council's executive member for environment and sport, said: "We expect this year's Sky Ride event to be our biggest and best ever, especially since we are honoured to have Sir Chris Hoy attending - Britain's most successful Olympic cyclist of all time.

"We have so much to offer in terms of a great ride as well as lots of brilliant entertainment. It's a great day out for all the family."

Sunday's ride is also the final event of the 2014 Sky Ride programme which is a national campaign encouraging thousands of people of all ages and abilities to get on a bike.

The 6km circular traffic-free route links Bradford's multi-award winning City Park in the city centre and the Green Flag Lister Park in Manningham.

Other activities include a climbing tower, bouncy castles, zorbs, swingball, inflatables, and bungee trampolines. There there will also be mini-golf and arts and craft sessions and East Bradford Cycling Club will also be running its popular static roller races in Lister Park.

Avid cyclists can also take on Ride le Route, which is a challenging 40 mile ride for cyclists who wish to experience the Bradford district section of the 2014 Tour de France.

The event also provides information about people can find out about cycling clubs, City Connect and other cycling activities with the West Yorkshire go:cycling project.

Visit goskyride.com/BradfordSkyRide to sign-up for the free event which runs from 11am until 3pm.