Around 25,000 cyclists will pass through Dunmow as Ford RideLondon-Essex returns for a second year.

The cycling festival gives cyclists the opportunity to take on either a 100, 60 or 30-mile challenge on traffic-free roads in London and Essex on Sunday, May 28.

All cycling routes start in London and head to Essex via Epping Forest, passing through Epping, North Weald, Ongar, Fyfield and Leaden Roding before reaching Dunmow.

From Dunmow, the route takes riders on part of the 2014 Tour De France route, through Felsted, Great Waltham, the Melbourne area of Chelmsford and Writtle, before heading back through Ongar and on to the finish line in London.

Councillor Lee Scott, Essex County Council’s cabinet member for highways and sustainable transport, said: "We are really looking forward to seeing Ford RideLondon-Essex back in the county on Sunday, May 28.

"Thanks to last year’s event, Essex has benefitted from £1million of funding for activities that inspire people to be more physically active.

"It is fantastic to see that more than 200 initiatives, sessions and programmes have already been delivered as a direct result of Ford RideLondon-Essex." 

Towns and villages along the route are preparing to welcome riders via community events, with many signing up for the RideLondon-Essex Pit Stop Fund.

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This fund has provided communities with £1,000 to offer activities for residents and refreshments and rest stops for participants.

Pubs and cafés will also provide food and refreshments to riders in addition to the four official welfare stops, where riders can take an extensive break, in Epping, Felsted School, Ongar and Woodford Green.

The Pit Stop Fund is one of several new initiatives for 2023, following last year's event - which was the first time Essex hosted.

Other improvements include a commitment that no community will be impacted by road closures for more than a day during the three-day cycling festival, and improved local access plans.

There will be an increased provision of managed vehicle crossing points on the route, improved communication with social care providers and an enhanced engagement programme with businesses.

RideLondon-Essex will work with schools and community groups on the route to develop cycling and active travel initiatives around the event.

Event director Hugh Brasher said: "After a successful first year of the event in Essex in 2022, we are very excited to be bringing back Ford RideLondon-Essex in 2023.

"We have made a number of improvements to the event for 2023 following many discussions with people, communities and organisations across the route and we expect this year’s Ford RideLondon-Essex to be even better for both our participants and the people of Essex.

"We’re particularly delighted to be working with communities and businesses across the route to create local activations that will make Ford RideLondon-Essex a real celebration of both cycling and community."

Road closures will be in place on Sunday, May 28. For details go to https://www.ridelondon.co.uk/community-info/community-info.

The official charity of the 100-mile race is Alzheimer's Society, and gynaecological cancer charity The Eve Appeal for the 60-mile race.