THE Lord Mayor of Bradford had her first ride on a tandem bike as a warm-up for the year's biggest cycling event this weekend.

Councillor Joanne Dodds zipped around City Park, and even took a path through the mirror pool, with youth worker Naz Ali yesterday.

She said: "It was brilliant. I had never been on a tandem, and I haven't been on a bike for years. I was at the back and it was a great experience actually.

"The one at the front does the main pedalling and I pedalled a little."

This Sunday, the Bradford Sky Ride is taking place in the city centre, with the Olympic gold medallist Jason Queally as guest of honour.

The Lord Mayor will officially start the event, and will also join Mr Ali to cycle the route on the tandem.

The traffic-free route has changed this year. It will start in City Park and wind through the main streets of the city centre, including Market Street, Kirkgate, Cheapside and Valley Road.

It will then head to Little Germany, taking in such landmarks as Bradford Cathedral and the historic warehouses built by wealthy textile traders in the 19th century.

Finally, the route will head out along Hall Ings, Drake Street and back into City Park.

Anyone can join the circular 5km route at any time between 10am and 2pm, although participants are advised to get there early to beat the rush.

An 'extreme mountain bike show' is among entertainment on offer along the route on the day, adding to a festival atmosphere.

Registration opens at 9am in City Park, where people can pick up their reflective Sky Ride bibs.