Peter Kennaugh is hopeful Team Sky's appearances at this summer's Sky Rides will have inspired a new generation of cyclists to take up the sport and maybe even follow in his footsteps.

The 21-year-old was present at the first Sky Ride of the year in Ealing on 18 July would have attended more of the 13 events around Britain had he not been competing in mainland Europe.

The Manxman is currently in action at the Vuelta a España but team-mates Edvald Boasson Hagen, Serge Pauwels, Morris Possoni, Chris Sutton and Davide Viganò will all be in attendance at the Mayor of London's Sky Ride on Sunday.

Last year, more than 65,000 people turned the English capital's streets into a cycling paradise and even more is planned this weekend to give London's biking fraternity the opportunity to be kings of the road for a day.

And while Kennaugh was lucky enough to grow up in a family where cycling was an integral part of everyday life, he is still wishes Sky Rides had been around when he was a boy.

"Cycling has always run through my family," he said. "My dad cycled over in France in the 1980s and his dad cycled - my granddad actually founded the Manx Road Club so it goes right back through the generations.

"But there was nothing like Sky Rides when I was a kid though - I think it's fantastic and great for the sport to see such involvement from so many people.

"It's great to get the opportunity to meet pro riders that Sky Ride provides. I do remember once that Charlie Wegelius handed out trophies at an under 14 or under 16 race once. I can remember getting David Millar's autograph when he was racing in the Manx International as well - I must have been so young because he was riding for Cofidis, probably about the same age as I am now."

Like many participants of Sky Rides up and down the country, Kennaugh's career on two wheels began early - when he took part in a mountain bike race. The rest is history and now the initiative is aiming to get one million more people on two wheels by 2013.

"After that I remember bugging my dad to get me a road bike after looking through his magazines," Kennaugh added.

"I got one for Christmas when I was 10, it was a custom-made bike by British cycling legend Steve Joughin because I was so small. From then on I just started riding away. It's all I ever really wanted to do and I never thought about anything other than becoming a pro."

For more about what is planned for the Mayor of London's Sky Ride event this Sunday, click HERE