Following its success in 2023 Ford RideLondon-Essex, one of the world’s greatest cycling events, is returning to Essex for another three years (2024-2026).
Essex County Council reached a three-year agreement with the organisers London Marathon Events, to host the event again until 2026. The agreement includes the Ford RideLondon-Essex mass participation events and two stages of the Ford RideLondon Classique.
On Sunday 26 May 2024 the RideLondon-Essex 100, 60 and 30 mass participation rides will start in Westminster. Stages 1 and 2 of the Ford RideLondon Classique will take place on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 May 2024.
Entries for 2024 Ford RideLondon-Essex 100 are open
Entries for the 2024 Ford RideLondon-Essex 100 opened on Tuesday 15 August. For the first time, all general entries to the 100-mile sportive are available on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis on the RideLondon website.
On Sunday 26 May 2024 the Ford RideLondon-Essex route will again start in Westminster, before taking riders out of the capital and into Essex. It will then pass through some of the county’s most picturesque towns, villages and countryside. View the Ford RideLondon-Essex route online.
Minor change in route due to bridge closure in Woodford
This year’s event takes place on largely the same route as last year, but a minor tweak has been made on a section of the route on the border of Essex and London.
This change is necessary because of a closed road bridge on Broadmead Road, Woodford, which means the route will be diverted through Chigwell and Buckhurst Hill.
See the change here, under the ‘what’s happening in your area’ section.
Road closures and areas affected
Ford RideLondon-Essex, the world’s greatest cycling event takes place in London and Essex from Friday May 24 to Sunday May 26. The event will significantly impact travel around parts of Essex. No area will have road closures on more than one day. All local hospitals will be accessible throughout the event. Provision is in place for care providers to make home visits as planned.
Areas affected:
- Friday May 24 - Epping Forest, Saffron Walden, Uttlesford, Braintree, Tendring, Colchester
- Saturday May 25 – Maldon, Chelmsford, Colchester
- Sunday May 26 – Epping Forest, Chelmsford, Uttlesford
If you need help planning a medical appointment, hospital visit or care appointment, please contact your care provider in the first instance or contact the Customer Service Team at ridelondon.co.uk/help/contact-us.
Find out more details about road closures and areas affected.
Ford RideLondon Classique
The 2024 Ford RideLondon Classique stages are now confirmed. The stages are as follows:
- stage one starts in Saffron Walden and finishes in Colchester
- stage two starts and finishes in Maldon
- stage three starts and finishes in London
The Ford RideLondon Classique is part of the UCI Women’s WorldTour and will take place on Friday 24 May and Sunday 26 May.
Inspiring activity in Essex
To date, the London Marathon Foundation (LMF) has awarded Essex £1.75 million in funding, to inspire physical activity and promote cycling and walking in the county.
In June, LMF announced additional funding of £750,000. The additional funding will continue supporting communities across Essex to lead active and healthy lives. Read more about the additional funding on the Active Essex website.
Find Your Active Fund
The funding partnership between Active Essex and LMF continues following the Ford RideLondon-Essex 2023 event. As part of the Find Your Active campaign, LMF is powering a small grants programme to support projects in Essex that help residents lead active and healthy lives.
Any organisation from Essex, Southend and Thurrock can apply for this funding. Organisations can use the money to start up new activities or increase the numbers attending existing activities, all with the aim of getting more people active. Find out more and apply for the Find Your Active Fund.