London to Brighton bike ride: Thousands celebrate crossing finish line

Some 12,000 people braved strong winds as they cycled all the way from Clapham Common in London to Madeira Drive, Brighton.

They tackled brutal hills through the South Downs and cycled up Ditchling Beacon before making their way through the city centre to the finish line.

By 9.30am, some of the fastest cyclists had already crossed completed the challenge after leaving London at 6am.

Mattia Cosimo was the first finisher with a time of 2:49:52.

Mattia Cosimo and some of the fastest finishers this year (Image: BHF)

Among this year’s riders was the former chief scientific adviser to the government Sir Patrick Vallance, who wore the number 001.

He led a team of scientists who raised thousands for the event organisers, the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

READ MORE: Tributes paid to ‘amazing’ grandad who died in London to Brighton bike ride

Sir Patrick Vallance led a team of scientists (Image: BHF)

Sir Patrick said: “Thanks to the public’s support, the BHF funds millions of pounds of pioneering research into heart and circulatory conditions every year. The charity holds a special place in my heart, having supported my early research career, so I’m delighted to be giving back.”

In a touching tribute, the daughter of a man who died suddenly during his 24th London to Brighton Bike Ride last year, also took on the challenge.

David Cooper’s daughter Aimee honoured her father by riding his bike to the finish line wearing his event number, alongside 11 of their family and friends.

David Cooper, second left, died suddenly during last year’s London to Brighton bike ride. This year, his daughter Aimee and their family and friends are paying tribute to him (Image: Family handout)

David, 69, from Battersea in London, died at the scene in the Smallfield area of Surrey during the ride last June 18.

Now in its 47th year, the London to Brighton bike ride is BHF’s biggest fundraising event.

It raises around £2 million annually and funds have gone towards research into advances for the 7.6 million people living with heart and circulatory conditions in the UK. 

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of BHF, said: “For nearly 50 years this event has generated funds to support thousands of brilliant scientists, including Patrick, who have revolutionised treatment and care for our hearts.

“Over the years their work has made advances from developing internal defibrillators to keep people alive to AI technology which can identify the risk of a heart attack years before it strikes.”