Cyclists inspired by Olympic race (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

After watching the men’s competition, people saddle up for Saltaire Sky ride

11:00am Monday 30th July 2012 in News By Dolores Cowburn, Bradford Chief Reporter

City Park was a hive of activity on Saturday with the big screen showing the London 2012 Olympics including the Men’s Cycling Road Race before viewers set off on their own jaunt to Saltaire and back.

People poured into the square for the Olympic viewing on the big screen, which will be showing 11 hours of footage of sporting events each day during the Games.

Children were splashing around in City Park’s mirror pool as many more sat in the chairs provided by Bradford Council to relax and watch the cycling on the big screen.

Although the race did not produce the widely-tipped gold medal for Team GB’s Mark Cavendish, some keen cyclists then took their own cycles for a spin to Saltaire as part of the Sky Ride Local event organised by Dan Goodey, British Cycling’s recreation manager for Yorkshire.

He said: “All ages and all abilities can come on these terrific free rides on the district’s roads which reach up to 30mph.

“I organised Saturday’s ride to coincide with the finish of the Men’s Road Race so people who have been inspired by the racers’ successes can join us.

“Whatever happens with this event, as long as it inspires people to get on their bikes it’s a good thing.

“Our ride set off from Centenary Square to Saltaire and back.

“With the big screen showing sporting events, I think it is a great way to come down and enjoy watching our home games and I would say that this is an exciting time for British cycling with the first British person to win the Tour de France.

“With the expectation over, the next couple of weeks will hopefully inspire people to take up sports and get the bikes out and enjoy cycling.”