The London Freewheel

[4] The route took participants past a number of landmarks including the London Eye, Victoria Embankment, Westminster, Whitehall, St Paul's Cathedral, and The Mall.

[5] As part of the day's cycling experience, there were six ‘Freewheel Hubs' across London where riders gathered to be led by experienced cyclists onto the vehicle-free route.

[8] A different route, 12 km in length, between the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace, was again closed to motor vehicles all day (between 09:30 and 16:30) and open to cycles.

[11] The first local event in outer London was held in Hounslow on Sunday 9 August; about 11,000 cyclists taking part.

The renamed 2009 Mayor of London's Skyride took place on 20 September, along a 15 km route including a loop through the city.

[15] In January 2010, the Mayor and TFL announced plans to increase the motor-traffic-free events to three Sky Rides, including two unnamed outer London boroughs.

On 31 August, Kelly Brook (as "Sky Ride Ambassador") joined Boris Johnson to launch the event.

The road cycling events of the Olympic Games proved exceptionally popular, with many thousands of spectators along the lengths of the courses.

The route for both amateurs and professionals followed closely, but with a minor diversion, avoiding Richmond Hill, the road race of the Olympics.

RideLondon featured a 100-mile ride open to all clubs and amateurs and a 'Grand Prix' event for ranked professional female cyclists.

In 2012 the Olympic road races were held over broadly similar courses, with additional loops of Box Hill.

[22] the numbers, effectively in 2013 the London-Surrey Cycle Classic returned following its conversion the previous year into the Olympic road race.