By Freddie Cook
About 27,000 cyclists are heading for the seafront as the London to Brighton Bike Ride gets under way this morning (Sunday 19 June).
The annual ride, organised by the British Heart Foundation, will be followed by a beach party as the family and friends of those taking part also pour into town.
The weather forecast is fair although it could become damp or wet later. Tomorrow (Monday 20 June) more than half of an inch of rain – or about 15mm – is expected to fall.
The first cyclists set off from Clapham Common at about 6am, with the last starters scheduled to head for the coast at about 9.30am.
The first cyclist to complete the 54-mile ride and reach Madeira Drive, in Brighton, arrived just before 8.45am.
Meanwhile, at the finish line our first rider has arrived! #L2B pic.twitter.com/PhGa6bktnn
— BHF (@TheBHF) June 19, 2016
The route includes Ditchling Beacon – the last refreshment stop – with cyclists heading down Coldean Lane and Lewes Road to the seafront.
Drivers and bus passengers have been warned to expect delays.
Friends Yan Biesterfeldt, 44, and Rhys Mortley, 25, from Medway, Kent, have both done the ride before and enjoyed finishing in Brighton.
Mr Mortley said: “It’s been a great day with perfect weather although waking up early was tough.”
He added that it was great returning to the city after studying at Brighton University some years ago.
Also riding, along with his family, was Steve Binstead, 49, from Worthing, who was participating in memory of his father who enjoyed cycling.
Mr Binstead said: “When Dad died last year on Father’s Day we decided we would try and create an annual event in his memory and this seemed ideal because the whole family can get involved.”
He added that family members rode his father’s old bikes in commemoration.
Of his plans for this evening, Mr Binstead said: “The ride was tough so it’ll be a bath, a curry and then bed for me.”
The event is expected to raise more than £2 million to help the fight against heart disease. Cyclists, volunteer marshalls and others wanting to get involved next year can register their interest on the British Heart Foundation website www.bhf.org.uk.
The British Heart Foundation said: “The London to Brighton Bike Ride is the flagship fundraising event for the British Heart Foundation (BHF). Now in its 41st year, it is Europe’s oldest and largest charity bike ride.
“For every mile pedalled and pound raised, cyclists will be helping the BHF fight back against heart and circulatory disease, which is responsible for more than a quarter (27 per cent) of all deaths in the UK.
“The London to Brighton Bike Ride has raised in excess of £65 million for the British Heart Foundation. Over the past 40 years more than 750,000 people have taken part.”
The @Tesco team have made it! Here they are proudly wearing their medals #L2B pic.twitter.com/kH0u9exnnp
— BHF (@TheBHF) June 19, 2016
