Wednesday 14th June  2017

Sir Chris Hoy and some of Britain’s greatest Olympians are taking their gold-winning exploits from the velodrome to virtual reality in HSBC UK & British Cycling’s ground-breaking new VR experience being rolled out across the country.

Mail Online has been given an exclusive look behind the scenes with some of Britain’s most famous cyclists as you have never seen them before during an experience that takes you through the journey of a cyclist.

Sir Chris Hoy stars as a 1970s dad, with a dress sense to match, giving you your first lesson to ride a bike and also as your teenage friend on a BMX. And as the pictures show, Sir Chris looks a world away from the clean-cut Olympian we all know.

As the virtual journey progresses, you will also interact with Joanna Rowsell and Laura Kenny before being given the incredible experience of riding around the velodrome at top speed as part of a tandem with Team GB’s six-time Olympic champion Jason Kenny.

Sir Chris said: “I must say it was one of the more interesting days of my career – getting to spend half the day dressed like my dad and the other half tapping into my days as a 13-year-old. It was certainly nice to have that much hair again!

“We obviously want to keep that momentum going when it comes to being a successful nation in cycling so anything new we can do to try and encourage people to make that first step and get on their bikes, the better.

“It was fantastic fun though and the experience is awesome. I want as many people as possible to come join me as we do a little bit of time travelling, a little bit of cycling and have a lot of laughs.”

HSBC UK and British Cycling have worked to create a unique virtual reality cycling experience which they are taking around the UK to 14 difference cities as part of the HSBC UK City Ride mass participation roadshow this year. The City Rides kicked off this weekend on June 11 in Birmingham