NOTTINGHAM proved itself to be a cycling city this weekend, with one of the biggest turnouts for years in the Great Nottinghamshire Bike Ride – despite driving rain.
Cyclists turned out in their masses to mark the end of Experian Cycle Live – a three-day festival of two-wheeled entertainment centred around Victoria Embankment.
Friday's Nottingham Grand Prix and City Ride and the Folding Bike Race on Saturday took a back seat as the Great Nottinghamshire Bike Ride, in its 32nd year, showed itself to be the event's glittering finale, with 4,000 riders.
There were three different route lengths – 25, 50 or 100 miles.
Kym Bignell, 26, from West Bridgford, completed the course having been told by doctors four years ago that she may never be able to do physical exercise again.
She said: "To prove them wrong was a fantastic feeling. I wanted to cry when I got to the finish line."
Kym has Sreiburgs disease, which erodes joints in her foot. She had her first child, Eavie-Rose, last year and has been training weekly over the last six months.
"For me it wasn't just a case of going on a bike ride; it's much bigger to complete something you were told you will never do."
Ex-Army engineer Martin Reed did the 25-mile route in a full chemical warfare suit and gas mask in aid of Help for Heroes, and one man rode a unicycle for 50 miles.
Nottingham-born Olympic silver medallist, Bryan Steel, who took part in the 50-mile route, said: "I was so impressed at how many people were here."
Chris Simon, director of Perfect Motion, organisers of Experian Cycle Live, said: "This year has been one of our busiest rides we've ever had. The 100-mile ride sold out the Tuesday before the event – the first time we have ever sold out a ride before the event."
