The London to Brighton Bike Ride 2024 was held on Sunday 16th June. The ride starts at Clapham Common London and finishes at Brighton Beachfront. As this day would have been Julia’s dad’s 90th Birthday we had decided to make a weekend of it. So on Friday evening, having just got back from the opening fo the children’s hospice in Bologna, myself, Michael and mum drove to Brighton for the weekend. Saturday we took it easy, had a bit of s sleep in and late breakfast, waled around the town, did a bit of shopping and relaxed. We were a bit concerned as it was so windy walking along the seafront that the wind was actually blowing my mum away and we had to hold her on either side to walk back to the hotel!
Sunday morning, after an early night, Michael and I left the hotel at 4am to cycle along the seafront to find a coach to take us and our tandem up to London for the start, everything was very well organised by the British Heart Foundation who organise the ride, and we were able to load our tandem on a container and get on the bus for the ride to London. Michale was in charge of food for the day so we ate some breakfast on the bus and arrived near the start around 6.15 ready for our start time at 7am. Following a quick cup of coffee we lined up for the start. Over 8,000 participants cycled the route, and we were given start times at 30 minute intervals. For some of the route the roads were closed, and at other sections the roads were partly closed, to allow us to cycle unimpeded. Along the 54 mile course there were several official stops, where we would stop, take a drink, have something to eat and then move on. Along the route there was a great camaraderie amongst the participants, with many people commenting on our tandem. After about 45 miles we came across Ditchling Beacon which is a very steep and hard climb. Many people do not attempt it and some stop part way up – we were determined to make it to the top and we did – but it was hard work and we were exhausted. However we then had a lovely cycle down to Brighton and the beach, where mum was waiting to great us. Once back we had an ice cream in memory of dad before joining mum for a late Father’s Day lunch.
We had a great day – it was fun and exhilarating but also exhausting as I am not that fit, due to all my travels. We would like to thank you all for supporting us and ICPCN and it is not too later to support us. We hope that you enjoy the pictures below which give you a bit of a feel of our 54 mile bike ride – Enjoy!