🏅🚴💨 I Rode the BHF London to Brighton Bike Ride & Here's What Happened

Last week I took on one of the UK's most iconic charity cycling events, the British Heart Foundation London to Brighton Bike Ride. 54 miles. Clapham Common to the Brighton seafront. And yes, I made it. Just about. 😄

What is the BHF London to Brighton Bike Ride?

The London to Brighton Bike Ride is organised by the British Heart Foundation, covering 54 miles on tarmac roads from Clapham Common in South London to the Brighton seafront. It's one of those events that's genuinely open to all abilities, and they remind ou continuously that it is not a race, there's no pressure, and the atmosphere on the day is something else entirely.

The majority of the route runs on closed, traffic-free roads, which makes for a safe and supportive ride from start to finish. Along the way there are regular checkpoints with food, refreshments, mechanics, and medical support — so you're never far from a helping hand (or a banana).

The one thing everyone talks about? Ditchling Beacon. It's a challenging climb through the South Downs and it absolutely earns its reputation. My legs had a few words to say about it. But the views from the top make it worth every pedal stroke — and from there, it's downhill to the finish line and the Brighton seafront.

If you're a cyclist and you've never done it, put it on your list. It's a brilliant day.

Why I Rode: A Defibrillator for the Barn

Our sessions at Fit with Frank take place in a beautiful converted barn at Priory Farm Estate in Surrey. It's a special place, a little community where people come to feel good, move well, and have a good laugh, but being tucked away in nature means there was something I'd wanted to fix: we didn't have a defibrillator (AED) on site.

Sudden cardiac arrests can happen to anyone, anywhere, and in a fitness environment, having a defibrillator close by isn't a nice-to-have. It's a necessity. Every minute without defibrillation reduces the chance of survival significantly. Getting one on the wall at the barn could, one day, save a life.

So when I signed up for the BHF London to Brighton, an event literally run by the British Heart Foundation to fund lifesaving cardiac research, it felt like exactly the right fit. A ride for heart health, to fund heart health at home.

You Raised Over £1,600

I'm genuinely, honestly blown away.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our members, friends, and followers, we raised over £1,600 towards an AED for the barn. That's not a small thing. That's a community coming together to make our little corner of Surrey a safer place for everyone who walks through that barn door.

I couldn't be prouder or more grateful. 🙏

The defibrillator will be ordered very soon. Watch this space.

Want to See the Ride?

I put together a quick 60-second vlog from the day — catch it here:

Thinking About Taking On the BHF London to Brighton?

The next BHF London to Brighton Bike Ride takes place on Sunday 20 June 2027 and it's actually the 50th edition, which makes it a pretty special year to take part.

You can enter via a ballot, or skip the ballot entirely by signing up to ride for the British Heart Foundation or one of their charity partners and committing to a fundraising target. Either way, you'll get a 16-week training plan, a Beat the Beacon guide for tackling that infamous climb, and full support on the day including mechanics, marshals, and rest stops along the route.

My honest advice? Train consistently, get some hills in your legs before the day, and don't underestimate Ditchling Beacon, but go for it - you won't regret it.

👉 Find out more at bhf.org.uk

Thank You. Seriously.

To everyone who donated, shared, and cheered me on, thank you from the bottom of my heart. This is exactly what the Fit with Frank community is all about.

Now if you'll excuse me, my legs still haven't fully forgiven me.

FRANK

your Personal Trainer / New-Found-Cyclist