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Olympic Road Cycling test set for streets of London and Surrey

Olympic Road Cycling test set for streets of London and Surrey

Some of the world’s best road cyclists will be competing in the Olympic Road Cycling test event on August 14th 2011.

The London-Surrey Cycle Classic will pass through six London boroughs, four Royal Parks and a looped route around Box Hill in Surrey.

In order to prepare and stage the event, there will be extensive road closures and travel disruption on the day.

London 2012 chairman, Seb Coe, said: “This is going to be a fantastic race and our course, with its interesting route and impressive technical elements, has attracted the best nations and pro cycling teams in the world so this really is a trial run for the games in 2012.

“However, as with any major sporting, in particular one that moves through so many different areas of London and the South East, there will be a significant impact on traffic and transport.

“We want to give everyone enough time to plan their weekend.”

Road closures will be in place in some areas as early as 04:00 and many roads will not reopen until 15:00.

Residents living along the 140 kilometre route and spectators planning to travel to watch the race are advised to avoid using the roads if at all possible and to plan their journey in advance by visiting the Transport for London website.

Leon Daniels, TfL’s managing director for surface transport, said: “The London-Surrey Cycle Classic will play an important role in helping the capital, and its transport network, prepare for the summer of 2012.

“Road transport will be severely affected on the day, equivalent to having the London Marathon coming through south west London and Surrey, with many roads closed. 

“This is why we are strongly advising people to plan their travel for the day and to avoid driving in south west and central London if at all possible.”

Fans are encouraged to cheer on the 148 competitors along the route but are advised to avoid the Box Hill area in Surrey, which will be operating restricted access.

The event is part of the London Prepares series, the official London 2012 sports testing programme.

This will allow the London 2012 Organising Committee to test crucial aspects of its operations, one year ahead of the Games.

City.Mobi

Also in the UK today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to London.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

London.Mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.