Thousands take part in London to Brighton Cycle Ride

Participants in the London to Brighton Cycle Ride set off from Clapham Common and made the 55-mile journey to Madeira Terrace under blue skies and sunshine today.

The event, in its 15th year, supports dozens of charities including Great Ormond Street Hospital, Movember, Macmillan Cancer Support and Mind.

The route took cyclists up Ditchling Beacon, through Coldean and into Brighton from Lewes Road.

They got a glimpse of the Royal Pavilion before heading to the aquarium and along the seafront.

There were plenty of smiles at the finish line, which was packed with cheering supporters, where those taking part were rewarded with a medal and a well-earned lunch bag.

Lots of people could be seen tucking into their lunches on Brighton beach.

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The first riders to complete the challenge came in at about 8.30am after setting off at 6.30am.

Cyclists are expected to continue crossing the finish line until 6pm.

Joe Andrews, from Colchester, took part in the ride for the first time to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Joe Andrews and his daughter Alice (Image: The Argus)

Mr Andrews’s five-year-old daughter Alice has the condition which causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system leading to lung infections and problems with digesting food.

The 33-year-old has managed to raise just over £2,000 for the charity.

“Cystic fibrosis goes under the radar and it’s life-limiting so it’s very important to raise money and awareness, he said.

“I found the ride very hard but I really enjoyed it.

“I definitely would do it again.”

Ignes Ri, who has only recently got into cycling, wanted to take part to challenge himself.

Ignes Ri after completing the challenge (Image: The Argus)

The 38-year-old from London raised money for mental health charity Mind.

“I was expecting it to be more difficult,” he said.

“I’m usually a mountain biker so it was a bit different and the hills weren’t that scary.”

Former Brighton and Hove Albion player Guy Butters, a mentor and fundraiser at the Brighton and Hove Albion Foundation, led a team of Albion fans raising money for the charity.

The Brighton and Hove Albion Foundation team (Image: The Brighton and Hove Albion Foundation)

"It's a great feeling to have finished, obviously it was hard work but the team all dug deep and got it done,” he said.

"It's a big achievement in itself but doing it for such a fantastic charity makes it feel even better.

"It was a great experience and hopefully we'll be back again next year with even more people signed up."