Thousands join London to Brighton Bike Ride

About £1m was raised through the event in 2024

Thousands of cyclists have been taking part in the British Heart Foundation's (BHF) London to Brighton Bike Ride.

Cyclists from across the South East have travelled 54 miles (87km) from Clapham Common to Brighton seafront to raise money for the charity.

Cyclists started the journey from 06:00 BST and have been arriving since at the finish line in Brighton's Madeira Drive.

Speaking to Radio Sussex in Turners Hill, at about the halfway point, James Ferguson, 71, said he was enjoying his first ride having previously done many long distance runs.

He said: "I will be at the finish line even if I have to walk it."

Mr Ferguson, from Headcorn in Kent, said he was dreading the infamous climb up Ditchling Beacon but said would run up with his bike if necessary.

Supporting him, his wife Colleen said her husband was cycling in memory of his father, who passed away recently just before his 97th birthday.

James Ferguson was being supported by his wife Colleen

Charity partners including Mind, Children with Cancer, Breast Cancer Now were also taking part in the ride to help to raise funds.

The bike ride sees riders winding their way through Surrey, Sussex and the South Downs, finishing on Brighton seafront.

Friends Dylan, Phil and Al said the ride was going "really well", with Dylan adding that his second attempt at the ride had been going much better thanks to more training.

Phil said: "I have been doing it with Al for 15 years and it is one of my favourite days of the year."

The main challenge, said Al, was getting up Ditchling Beacon first.

"We try to race up and maybe it could be my year," he said.

About £1m was raised through the ride in 2024.