Thousands of cyclists take to city streets for SkyRide

Thousands of cyclists took over the centre of Manchester as cars were banished from some of the city's busiest roads for the third annual SkyRide.

Families, keen riders and first-timers (including me - !) crossed paths with some of cycling's elite along the seven mile route from Castlefield to the Manchester Velodrome at SportCity.

I've recently bought a bike.  I don't plan to commute using it - yet.  For the moment it's for leisure and fitness purposes.  But I thoroughly enjoyed the event and saw it's value in promoting and raising awareness of cycling and its benefits, and helping to build that critical mass that will help make cycling a practical transport choice for more people for more kinds of trips.