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Boris Johnson helps launch Royal British Legion's Pedal to Paris 2011 ride

Classical singer Laura Wright joins Mayor of London in launching 16th edition, and will ride in event

Mayor of London Boris Johnson, who last week lined up in front of the cameras alongside model Kelly Brook to launch this year’s London Sky Ride, has been joined at another bike-related photocall outside City Hall by classical singer Laura Wright. This time, it was to launch Pedal to Paris 2011, organised by The Royal British Legion’s to support what it terms “the Afghanistan generation of the Armed Forces.”

The 21-year-old singer, who released her debut album The Last Rose earlier this year, will be one of more than 300 cyclists, many of them current and former armed forces personnel, who will set off from Greenwich Park on Thursday 1 September, arriving in Paris on Sunday after riding 285 miles.

The Royal British Legion aims to raise £500,000 through the ride, which will go towards its new £30 million Battle Back Centre, which is due to open this month and which aims to help wounded or sick armed forces personnel recover with the help of adaptive sports, among other things, and enter civilian life.

Helping to launch the 16th edition of the ride, Mr Johnson said: “The Royal British Legion does amazing work to support the brave men and women who have served in our Armed Forces, and their families and loved ones. As these intrepid cyclists set off to Paris I urge everyone to dig deep to support this great cause."

Ms Wright added: “I was a Corporal in the Combined Cadet Force when I was younger, and have always known about the Legion’s great work for our Service people. When I heard about the Battle Back Centre, I really wanted to support the project through Pedal to Paris. The ride itself is going to be a huge challenge, and I’ll be very happy when I see the Arc de Triomphe!”
 

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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CJK | 12 years ago
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The ride was a great challenge for those of us who are unfit, but also a very enjoyable social ride, with 3 speed groups (18+ mph, 15 mph, and 12 mph).
Highly recommended, and a fantastic charity to boot.
It is brilliantly organised, you only need to remember your bike and your shoes!

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