A team of cyclists taking part in the Brighton to Brussels bike ride for the mayor’s charities have signed up for a mile high challenge before they start the official route.
They plan to rack up a mile in the sky up the i360 before setting off to Brussels for the first leg of the sponsored ride back to Brighton.
The event has been set up by the Brighton and Hove Property Consortium. It is being supported by the British Airways i360 and BTN Bike Share, which is lending its distinctive blue hire bikes for the challenge.
A few of the team went for a test ride earlier this year, and at least 10 members of the 40-strong lycra-clad crew will ride 40 laps around the i360 pod 450ft above Brighton seafront.
Tim Caswell, owner of Hourbike, the company operating BTN Bike Share, said: “We are delighted to support such an important fundraising event for the community and wish the riders all the best for their phenomenal trip. Fingers crossed for favourable winds from Brussels onwards.”
The challenge, on Thursday (3 May), will be officiated by the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Peter Field.
Brighton and Hove Property Consortium founder and bike ride organiser Colin Brace said: “We are excited about the prospect of combining two of Brighton’s well-known and much-loved tourist attractions to complete what we hope will be a new record and a world first.
“The Mile in the Sky is a really exciting start to this year’s cycle ride and we are very grateful to both British Airways i360 and also BTN Bike Share for their support.
“We will be flying the flag for Visit Brighton throughout our event to promote Brighton and Hove as a vibrant city and a great place to visit.”
In Brussels the cyclists will be joined deputy mayor Dee Simson for the official start of the fireworks – by remote control – to mark the opening of the Brighton Fringe on Thursday evening.
And the charity cyclists will be welcomed back next Sunday (6 May) at 5pm in New Road, Brighton.
By the end they hope to have raised more than £40,000 for the mayor’s charities.
Brighton and Hove mayor, Councillor Mo Marsh, has been raising money for her “Famous Five” charities throughout her year in office.
They are Albion in the Community, the Martlets Hospice, RISE, the Clock Tower Sanctuary and the Sussex Heart Charity.
