London to Brighton Bike Ride 2015

Today, Brighton celebrated the arrival of the 40^th annual London to Brighton Bike Run, organised by the British Heart Foundation charity. Twenty-two thousand riders poured into the city – among them Pippa Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge’s sister, and the charity’s ambassador.

The 54-mile route, starting from London’s Clapham Common, moves south from the capitol’s crowded roads through narrow, quiet country lanes down to the sparkling blue Channel at Brighton. There are 15 rest stops on the route with toilets and refreshment stands.

It was a perfect day for cycling with temperatures in the mid-60s Farenheit (18 Celsius) and a strong, cooling westerly breeze. The stream of riders came pouring into town, along special lanes separated from the traffic by traffic cones, but stopping for red traffic lights, as commanded by marshals.

  

   

Then it was off again when the lights turned to green.

This rider was delighted to see the spires and domes of the 18th century Royal Pavilion, only a couple of minutes before the Finish line.

But first you have to continue down the Steine, past the end of the Palace Pier and then hang a left turn into Madeira Drive.

And, as he passes the Palace Pier, this Superman takes a selfie:

Passing the Brighton Wheel, its capsules rising to 50 metres above sea level.

Now, in front is the Finish Line and, behind it, the cranes mark the site of controversial new high-rise housing being built at Brighton Marina.

As the exhausted riders pass under the Finish Line, to hyper-excited commentary on the loudspeakers and the applause of the waiting crowds, they are welcomed with offers of cool water, first aid - and a medal!

I didn't have time to wander around and check out the riders but it's clear there are a variety of reasons for people to undertake this exhausting ride...including fun and celebration.

Before I left the seafront, I glanced out to sea and saw a ketch running parallel to the beach under furled job and mizzen - and if you look closely, just ahead of it to the port side is a jetski. It's funny, pictures of sea conditions rarely convey the apparent situation - it looked quite fresh out there with lots of white caps!  

 

And so, to home, the seafront still crowded...