About Ipswich
Sky Ride is coming to Ipswich for the first time this summer!
On the 12th June, we’ll be taking over the town and giving you the unique opportunity to ride your bike through Ipswich’s streets, without a car in sight. It’s free and easy to register and anyone can get involved, no matter how wobbly you might be on a bike.
The route is entirely open and optional, so you can come and go as you please and ride for as long as you choose. Ride past Ipswich’s landmarks and enjoy the entertainment we have planned throughout the day.
Sky Ride City events are a great day out and provide the perfect opportunity to get back on your bike. Use the tabs above to check out the route and find out what else is happening throughout the day.
Getting there
Where can I park on the day?
For information about parking at the Ipswich Sky Ride click here.
Can I get to the Sky Ride by public transport?
Local bus services will be operating as usual where possible.
Road closures to allow SkyRide to take place will mean that SOME bus services in the town centre will be diverted and so will not serve all of their usual bus stops. For further information please contact the bus operator directly. Ipswich Buses can be contacted on: 0800 919390. First Eastern Counties Buses can be contacted on: 08456 020121. Galloway European Coachlines can be contacted on: 01449 766323.
Which roads will be closed during the Sky Ride?
The following roads will be closed during the Sky Ride:
- Sir Alf Ramsey Way between Portman Road and Bibb Way
- Constantine Road between Sir Alf Ramsey Way and Russell Road
- Russell Road between Constantine Road and Chancery Road
- Chancery Road between Russell Road and Princes Street
- Grafton Way between Princes Street and New Cardinal Street
- Quadling Street between Grafton Way and Cecilia Street
- New Cardinal Street between Grafton Way and Cecilia Street
- Cecilia Street between New Cardinal Street and Wolsey Street
- Wolsey Street between Cecilia Street and Franciscan Way
- Cutler Street between Franciscan Way and St Peters Street
- St Peters Street between Cutler Street and Star Lane
- Bridge Street between Star Lane and College Street
- Bridge Street between Star Lane and College Street
- Bridge Street between College Street and St Peters Dock
- St Peters Dock & Waterfront between Bridge Street and Coprolite Street
- Back Hamlet between Fore Street and 76 Back Hamlet
- Milner Street between Kings Avenue and Rope Walk
- Rope Walk between St Helens Street and Waterworks Street
- Waterworks Street between Rope Walk and Star Lane
- Star Lane between Waterworks Street and Foundation Street
- Foundation Street between Star Lane and Lower Brook Street
- Lower Brook Street between Foundation Street and Tacket Street
- Upper Brook Street between Tacket Street and Tavern Street
- Tavern Street between Upper Brook Street and Westgate Street
- Museum Street between Westgate Street and Princes Street
- Princes Street between Museum Street and Queen’s Street
- Queen’s Street between Princes Street and Friars Street
- St Nicholas Street between Friars Street and Cutler Street
- Chalon Street between New Cardinal Street and Princes Street
- Princes Street between Civic Drive and Commercial Road
- Portman Road between Princes Street and Sir Alf Ramsey Way
- Foundation Street between Lower Brook Street and Smart Street
- Foundation Street between Smart Street and Star Lane
- Lower Orwell Street between Fore Street and Star Lane
- Regent Street between St Helens Street and Rope Walk
- Carr Street between Old Foundry Lane and Northgate Street
- Great Coleman Street between Old Foundry Lane and Northgate Street
- Northgate Street between St Margaret’s Plain and Carr Street
- Butter Market between Queen’s Street and Upper Brook Street
- St Lawrence Street between Tavern Street and Butter Market
- Dial Lane between Tavern Street and Butter Market
- St Stephen’s Lane between Butter Market and Dog’s Head Street
- Princes Street between King Street and Cornhill
- King Street between Elm Street and Princes Street
- Elm Street between Black Horse Lane and King Street
- Lion Street
- Arcade Street
- Coytes Gardens
- Friars Bridge Road
- Turret Lane between Star Lane and Lower Brook Street
- Rose Lane
- Silent Street between Falcon Street and Old Cattle Market
- Foundry Lane between Waterfront and College Street
- Star Lane between Bridge Street and Grimwade Street
- Oxford Road
- Kings Avenue.
Entertainment
We’re got loads of activities lined up for you on the day, so you can cycle some of the route, take a break, enjoy the entertainment and then get riding again. Or why not arrange to meet friends who may not be riding but can still soak up the atmosphere? Here's just some of the fun things you can enjoy on the day, but keep checking back as more will be announced closer to the time...
Town Hall and Cromwell Square
Our Bike Café is a great place to unwind and relax with a fab selection of cakes and coffees. It’s also your opportunity to find out more about local cycling routes, and other ways you can keep on cycling after Sky Ride.
Our Sky Sports ‘Living for Sport’ Flatland BMXers will showcase their unique skills, testing the limits of what can be done on two wheels, so keep an eye out for them.
Check out the Market Place – where you'll find local and national businesses selling biking gear and other goods.
Cromwell Square is an ideal place for you to come and relax in our special picnic area. Bring your along your own picnic, and take some time out from your ride.
Alderman Park
Under 16s can experience our brilliant ‘Go-ride Racing’ course, brought to you by British Cycling and Sky. Pit your speed and skill against other competitors around a specially-designed race circuit.
Music
There will be a number of buskers playing music around the course, as well as specially adapted 'Music Bikes' keeping you entertained. The Caribbean Steel Band and percussion band Samboomba will be performing throughout the day providing a great soundtrack to your Sky Ride Ipswich.
Bells at the ready!
Be prepared for the designated Loud Zone, where we encourage you to make as much noise as possible!
Dora the Explorer Eye Spy
Pick up an eye spy sheet and tick off things around the town to make the ride even more fun for the kids!
Route
Click here to download the official Sky Ride Ipswich route map.
Click here to view the full route on Google Maps.
The route for Sky Ride Ipswich gives you the chance to enjoy your town car free.
Remember you can join and leave the Sky Ride route wherever and whenever you choose, and when you’re on the route, there will be loads going on to keep everyone entertained during their ride as well as regular rest points.
The route will take you past some of the most iconic parts of the town, from the Ipswich waterfront through to Cornhill, Portman Road stadium, Cromwell Square and Old Customs House. For more information on what you can do or visit in Ipswich go to http://www.visit-ipswich.com.
Keep riding
Supporting cycling in Ipswich
Ipswich is a great place to cycle! British Cycling works with the Council to promote a range of opportunities for people to get involved with cycling whatever their age and ability.
Ipswich is located in the driest area of the country and is well served by a substantial network of bike paths across the town. The Borough Council is supportive of developing bike use and the town benefits from the Team Ipswich Cycling forum and Cycle Ipswich. The Council is also supportive of a new race series open to all levels this summer, the Ipswich Cycle Racing Series at Trinity Park.
Places to ride
From fenland, broadland and forests in Norfolk to Suffolk heathlands and dramatic coasts, East Anglia has it all... The region's waterways and ancient routes offer the perfect sanctuary for cyclists, while Thetford Forest has trails for everyone from beginner to expert. Find out more.
Local cycling clubs
British Cycling can help you to find a club that’s right for you. You can use the ‘club finder’ link to find a club near you. There are some great British Cycling-affiliated cycling clubs in Ipswich who will be happy for you to come along and ride with them, including:
Tunstall and Rendlesham Offroad Group (TROG)
E: membership@trogmtb.com
Training
Ipswich is well served by a range of bike training providers, including:
Suffolk Cycle Training
Contact: Jeremy Curtis
T: 07976 807173 E: jeremy.curtis@suffolkcycletraining.co.uk
Pink Sky Cycling
Contact: Noelle Peacock
T: 0770 8976236
