A star of TOWIE (don’t pretend you don’t know that TOWIE stands for The Only Way Is Essex) is out and about promoting a brilliant concept in cycle tours. Lydia Bright, one of the big names in the reality TV show, has been enlisted to support Pedal On UK . Pedal On UK follows the same 1,000-mile route as the torch journey of last year's Olympic and Paralympic Games and will see thousands of cyclists of all ages joining the event running from August 16 to September 7.

What is Pedal On UK?

Pedal On UK, organised by Sustrans, is a UK-wide cycle tour with lots of family-friendly bike rides and community festivals. It's backed by the Big Lottery Fund’s Keeping the Spirit of 2012 Alive campaign and aims to “reignite the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic torch relays”. The route starts in the Olympic Park in London before heading to towns and cities in 35 communities in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland using the National Cycle Network. The cycling event finishes with a final celebration in Glasgow. Lydia is reported as saying: “For me, the only way is cycling!” Of course she did! She added: “Last year it was so exciting when Team GB pedalled their way to Olympic victory and now Pedal On UK will make us fall in love with cycling all over again. “After my cycling trip to India last year I couldn’t wait to get on my bike again, so it’s amazing to be part of Pedal On UK. Whether it’s walking, cycling or using your upper body strength to get around in a wheelchair, travelling by foot or pedal power does wonders for your health and its fun too. So sign up to Pedal On UK and join me on the ride of the summer!”

 Join in Pedal On UK

A spokesperson for Sustrans said: "The celebrations mark the success of extending over 80 new walking and cycling networks into the heart of communities. With over 4 million people living within a mile of these networks, people of all ages and abilities can now get around their communities more easily." Details of six main cycling events include London, Southampton, Bristol, Birmingham, Belfast and Ripley. For more information see Pedal On UK