Cycling the BHF London to Brighton Charity Bike Ride - What's it like? What to expect? - 4K Video

This video is taken from my GoPro cameras while cycling the British Heart Foundation London to Brighton Bike Ride. This is NOT an official video, but my own personal footage.
What is it like to cycle the London to Brighton Bike Ride? I include some personal advice about the ride as an aid to those planning to do the ride for the first time. The footage includes Ditchling Beacon, Turners Hill and all the major places on the ride.
The video is intended for people planning to do the event - or to reminisce on a previous ride.
Contents of this video
0:00 - Intro
01:27 - Getting ready to start
01:45 - The Start
03:16 - Mitcham
04:30 - The first incline
06:00 Chipstead
07:50 - Under the M25
09:20 - Redhill
10:20 - Church Hill - Redhill
11:40 - Down we go! Nutfield
12:50 - Under the M23
13:28 - Have a break - Dog & Duck - Outwood
15:18 - Curious Pig in the Parlour - Copthorne
18:18 - Turners Hill
22:30 - Lindfield
24:30 - Towards Ditchling village
26:24 - Ditchling Village
27:20 - Last refreshments before Ditchling Beacon
27:30 - The climb up Ditchling Beacon
29:43 - Along the top of the South Downs
30:40 - Coldean Lane - Down to Brighton
33:35 - Into Brighton
35:50 - Along the seafront
37:30 - The Finish!
Music licensed via Audiio here: ref.audiio.com/5xbxh9rb
Andrew Word: Full of Light Inst
Beacon Light Shock: The World Shock The World inst
Lucas Carlson: I Am Wide Awake Renew
Bigsby: Bigsby Jungle Inst
Hessian Homestead: Tale Of Two Cities Inst
Want to donate to the British Heart Foundation? Use this link: www.justgiving.com/fundraisin...
.gpx file from my ride is here: www.dropbox.com/s/k7q86g62fl3...
#cycling #cyclinglife #brighton #turnershill #claphamcommon #gopro #quadlock #bhf #britishheartfoundation #charity #chipstead #lindfield #audiio #brayvideos

[@swvilla917]

Did this ride yesterday, can not tell you how invaluable this video was as a guide for a first timer. Thank you very much

[@mikeonhisbikes]

Thanks! Glad it helped!

[@sonyawilliams4442]

I just watched this and it was amazing! My other half does this ride nearly every year and I wondered what it's like on the ground- WOW! You're so fit and brave! Thanks for the insight.

[@mikeonhisbikes]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mikeonhisbikes]

Total time can vary year by year - mostly depending on factors such as road traffic to get out of London, bike jams and weather. Last year was great for me - as I had the early start time - plus there was a gentle northerly breeze to blow us all the way to Brighton. This meant fewer unplanned stops (in hold ups) - so I did do a few other quick stops - including to change batteries in the chest mounted GoPro. Bottom line, I would estimate circa 1 hour - for wee and battery breaks. I didn’t stop for food or drink- as I carried my own. I do always stop for circa 10 minutes before Ditchling Beacon to get my head in the right place. I hope that helps. Good luck on the ride!

[@thespokesperson8197]

Loved watching this, Mike! My son (14) & I are doing this on Sunday...Father's Day! I did it 30 years ago with my dad so it'll be amazing to repeat the experience.

[@mikeonhisbikes]

Thanks! I’m there too - with an 06:30 start🥱😀 Good luck on the ride!

[@thespokesperson8197]

@@mikeonhisbikes We're down for 9am, which my wife appreciates - she's dropping us off and collecting us in Brighton at the end. Ride safe!

[@cliveshembe6732]

I am there too, starting at 8:30am

[@tonypotter9578]

Great video, looking forward to it again this year !

[@mikeonhisbikes]

Me too. See you Sunday!

[@georgelawrance8370]

Brilliant... I now know what to expect

[@mikeonhisbikes]

Thanks George 😊

[@rubytangelo5284]

Great to see @MyLouTube back on the bike again. You get my vote for a ride with Katie. More content please!!!!😂

[@georgelawrance8370]

I enjoyed reliving the ride thanks

[@Serious_Basslines]

Absolutely awesome film, brings back the memories and pain...love it..🌟👍🏿

[@mikeonhisbikes]

Thanks !

[@martinwarne]

I did L2B last year too, though I started in a later wave than you. Watching this brought back some great memories!

[@48Nugget]

Thanks for posting this - very useful. I've just signed up to ride L1B this September. Have done several sportives in the past, the Prudential LondonSurrey 100 and London-to-Paris a couple of times but quite a while ago! I've even ridden up Ditchling Beacon but I had just ridden down from London but Westerham. Thanks again and well done on your ride.👍👍👍

[@mikeonhisbikes]

Thanks. Glad it was helpful!

[@rsm2102]

Remember to follow the London to Brighton Bike Ride rules before joining.

[@MavisFilms]

Great video! I'm doing it for the first time this year, and am also going to film it for my channel. So I've now got some inspiration and ideas!

[@mikeonhisbikes]

Go for it!

[@goshakozi1541]

Well done 🎉 hope I’ll see you this year!

[@mikeonhisbikes]

I'll be there. See you Sunday!

[@studiotwentyone]

Brilliant video.. I've done it twice before and I'll be doing it again this Sunday (16th June 2024)..

[@studiotwentyone]

I too had a 7am start time last year.. I watched the whole video but couldn't find myself :) But thanks for the video it brings back memories..

[@mikeonhisbikes]

Thanks!

[@rascalvanruss]

Hey Mike! Thanks for the video. I am thinking to do it this year, and was looking for some information what to expect, what routes are there etc. etc. This video explains it all. I did Ride London Essex 100 last month and it was my first ever cycling event, so i guess it shouldn't be so difficult for me to do Brighton ride? Cheers

[@marcindomzal9871]

I'm going this year for the first time. My best friend convinced me to do it and it's going to be his 3th L2B ride. I hope I'll be able to reach finishing line.

[@mikeonhisbikes]

You can do it! See you there!

[@arturk6124]

Well done buddy Medal well deserved. Get your ols mtb and do the off road L2B in september.

[@mikeonhisbikes]

Yeah, that looks interesting (and hard work) for sure!

[@oxharp]

Hi Mike, Great video and just what i needed for next week. One question I see you did it in 4h and a bit. How long did you rest for? I have a start time of 8.30am. I have estimated about the same time but I am on a road bike with a mountain bike cassette 11/40 for those hills, so was the 4 hrs plus without rest time? TIA

[@mikeonhisbikes]

Total time can vary year by year - mostly depending on factors such as road traffic to get out of London, bike jams and weather. Last year was great for me - as I had the early start time - plus there was a gentle northerly breeze to blow us all the way to Brighton. This meant fewer unplanned stops (in hold ups) - so I did do a few other quick stops - including to change batteries in the chest mounted GoPro. Bottom line, I would estimate circa 1 hour - for wee and battery breaks. I didn’t stop for food or drink- as I carried my own. I do always stop for circa 10 minutes before Ditchling Beacon to get my head in the right place. I hope that helps. Good luck on the ride!

[@MrSharkMediaFiveM]

I did this in 2018 when i was 17 years old Charity

[@Olivercool19]

Great video thanks. Do you need to carry a bike lock for the stops when leave it for a few mins etc?

[@mikeonhisbikes]

I haven't done so far - but I have no doubt that someone will post a horror story, so it may be worth doing.

[@cliveshembe6732]

Well done, and thank you for sharing. I am doing this on Sunday, what is the name of the app you used to measure speed and time on your phone?

[@mikeonhisbikes]

The top one was Strava, the lower one was Ride with GPS. But go for Strava - it's the most prolific. See you on Sunday!

[@cherilynjeswald4881]

*PromoSM*