A CYCLING enthusiast has spoken of his pride at being involved in a sporting event billed as the UK’s largest festival of cycling.

Clive Knight, from Thaxted, took part in the Mayor of London’s Prudential Ride London Surrey-100. Riding as part of Team Boris, captained by London Mayor Boris Johnson, the team comprised 20 hand-picked professional and amateur cyclists, including double Olympic medallist Laura Trott.

The 100-mile race, starting at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, ended in The Mall.

It was one of four events held in the capital over the weekend of August 3-4 as part of the post-2012 Olympic and Paralympic legacy.

Clive, a member of the Walden Velo cycling team based in Saffron Walden, said: “I have done a few 100-mile races but this was so different.

“The crowds were huge and it was an amazing feeling. It’s not often you get to cycle through central London.

“Coming up The Mall to Buckingham Palace was a great finish to it all.

“The event was certainly unique and I am proud to have been involved, particularly in the legacy aspect on the back of the London Olympics.”

More than 70,000 cyclists, including some of the world’s top professionals, took part in the two-day initiative, held to give a major boost to the number of active cyclists in the UK while attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to London and Surrey.

Team Boris also aimed to raise £25,000 for his three charities – the Mayor’s Fund for London, The Legacy List and the Mayor’s Fund for Young Musicians.

To support Clive’s and the team’s efforts, visit virginmoneygiving.com/cliveknight