Portsmouth Glow Ride: Full event schedule, route, how to sign up and everything else you need to knowÂ

A previous Glow Ride in Portsmouth
Picture: Portsmouth City Council — A previous Glow Ride in Portsmouth Picture: Portsmouth City Council

On Saturday keen cyclists from across the city will light up three kilometres of the Southsea seafront wearing lights, hi-vis and glow-in-the-dark accessories as part of the council's annual Portsmouth Glow Ride.

A new event village will open in the afternoonÂ with food, drink, music from Express FM and an abundance of cycling-related activities and advice. The council's bike doctorÂ team will also be on site to run equipment checks and participants can also choose to have their bikes security marked.

Portsmouth City Council's head of transport, Cllr Lynne Stagg, explained why the event was so important. She said: 'The serious message behind the fun is to be bright, be seen, to increase cyclists' visibility amongÂ other road users and stay safe on the road after dark. Glow Ride gets this message across in a fun way and creates lasting memories.

'Glow Ride is always a popular family event; we had over 1100 people take part in 2017, and this year's ride looks to set to attract at least that amount, if not more, with a new extended route and event village.

'I'm so excited to be attending this year's Glow Ride and can't wait to see all the fantastic effort that people always make with their lit cycles, hi-vis and outfits.'

What is the route for this year's Glow Ride?

Starting at 4.30pm on Clarence Esplanade cyclists will ride the 3km traffic-free, circular route along the Esplanade, around Southsea Common, to Clarence Parade and the Ladies' Mile.

A shorter separate route for younger cyclists will also be available and from 10am children can take part in a mini-wheelers session at the Southsea Skatepark.

How can you sign up?

Glow Ride is open to all ages and abilities and is fully accessible for adapted bikes and child trailers.

To ensure they get to take part in this year's Glow Ride and receive a free goodie bag cyclists are urged to book their place online, ahead of the event, via the Portsmouth City Council website.

On the day, registration will be open from 2pm.

Full event schedule

'¢Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 12noon - 3.30pm cycle route open

'¢Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2pm event village opens

'¢Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 3.30pm - 4.30pm cycle route closes

'¢Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 4.30pm - 6.30pm Glow Ride

'¢Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 6pm prizes for best-lit cyclists

'¢Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7pm event village closes