The Prostate Cancer Charity London Ride will closing down 18km of iconic West End London streets to cars and traffic on Saturday 19 September. In their place will be 1000 cyclists, a host of professional riders and some high profile celebrity cycling fans including actor Damien Lewis and former England rugby captain Will Carling.

This unique event has been developed in a partnership between the Tour of Britain and The Prostate Cancer Charity. The ride follows the official race route of the final leg of The Tour of Britain, which will see the professionals line up at 2pm the same day to compete for the title of The Tour of Britain Champion 2009.

Only 1,000 places are available on the charity ride and all applicants must register to secure a place by visiting www.unitebycycling.org.uk. Everyone who participates is encouraged to help raise funds for the charity.

The lucky entrants will be among professional riders and celebrities who will host them around the official Tour of Britain final race route. The circuit starts on Westminster Bridge and takes in such sights as Big Ben, Whitehall, the Tower of London and the London Eye. The ride will be witnessed by an audience of 120,000 spectators as well as being filmed for ITV4 as preparations are made for the start of the professional race.

Supporting The Prostate Cancer Charity in improving the lives of the 35,000 men and their families who are affected by the disease every year is what the event is all about. Hollywood actor and keen advocate of life on two wheels Damian Lewis is among celebrities supporting the London Ride by saddling up to support The Prostate Cancer Charity.

Lewis is urging people to join him and ride with their heroes as the charity’s new cycling event hits the capital. Lewis said: “I would encourage everyone to take part in the London Ride. The best thing about it is that the roads will be closed and there will not be any cars around. What a brilliant way to see the sights of London; I will be bringing the whole family along to enjoy the carnival atmosphere. Anyone taking on this challenge will also be cycling to show their support for a great cause.”

Tour de France stage winner, Mark Cavendish said: “My success at Tour de France was unbelievable but riding the final leg of The Tour of Britain, in the capital, with the public would be an honour. Cycling through London with the pros on an official race course will be an unbelievable experience and I want to encourage as many people as possible to register for The London Ride, while fundraising for a vital cause.”

The London Ride will be featured within The Tour of Britain programme televised on ITV4 and all proceeds raised from a £50 public entry fee into the London Ride and spectator fundraising efforts go to The Prostate Cancer Charity. All 1000 official participants will receive an exclusive, limited edition Wayne Hemingway designed t-shirt to wear on the day and a host of other goodies supplied by brands supporting the event.

For more details and to register visit www.unitebycycling.org.uk.