CYCLISTS are gearing up for a biking extravaganza in Southampton today - when Let's Ride returns to the city.

Thousands are expected to take to the streets in the one-day social family friendly event, which starts at 11am from Guildhall Square.

The free event is a bid to get more people out of their cars and on two wheels

There will be music, food and drink, fun and games, demonstrations, giveaways, activities, challenges, face painting - and that's before you set off on the 6k route.

Organisers HSBC and British Cycling say you don't have to do the whole distance – just as much or as little as you want.

And you don’t need to be an experienced cyclist – there are no cars on the road, so you can wobble, zig-zag and stop as much as you like.

The route is open from 11am-3pm but roads will be closed from 5am – 6pm and may vary on specific roads.

West Marlands Road: Road closed from junctions at Civic Centre Road to Commercial Road. Limited access only for essential vehicles for the O2 Guildhall and Civic Centre.

Commercial Road: No Parking. Road closed from junctions at Havelock Road and Above Bar (outside art gallery fountain). No parking in parking bays.

Above Bar Street north: Section of road closed. From junction at Cumberland Place / Brunswick Place to junction at the cross roads of Civic Centre Road / New Road.

Park Walk: Road closed.

Bedford Place: Road closed from junction of Cumberland Place to Paris Smith car park entrance. No right turn into Bedford Place from filter lane in Cumberland Place. Please take the next right turn into Grosvenor Square. No access into Cumberland Place from Bedford Place.

London Road: Road closed. From junction at Cumberland Place / Brunswick Place to junction at The Avenue. No vehicle access into London Road, no parking in parking bays for the full length from junction at Cumberland Place to The Avenue. No vehicle access into London Road from Carlton Crescent. Managed access from Bellevue Road onto London Road.

The Avenue Northbound: Section of Road closed. No vehicle access northbound on The Avenue.

Banister Road: Road closed at junction with Hulse Road and The Avenue. Vehicle access open to all car showrooms from the west side of Banister Road or Hulse Road. Follow Diversions signs. No vehicle access onto The Avenue.

Northlands Road: Road closed from junction at Cemetery Road and junction at The Avenue. No vehicle access to The Avenue from Northlands Road. Vehicle access to properties in this section of Northlands Road is via Hulse Road.

Cemetery Road: Road closed on 17 June and no parking restrictions in place from 6pm on 16 June.