It was so hot, you could feel your tyres sticking

The 54-mile ride from Clapham Common in south London to Brighton seafront is the largest cycle event of its kind in Europe and this year attracted 27,000 competitors.

Most cyclists take seven hours to complete the course, which ends with a steep climb up Ditchling Beacon, but the fastest time yesterday was two and a half hours.

Ditchling Beacon is the highest point of the ride at 813ft and it takes about 15 minutes to reach the top.

People travelled from across the country to take part in the event and had to contend with temperatures of up to 30C.

The road surface at Ditchling melted in the heat and one cyclist said: "It was so hot, you could feel your tyres sticking."

The ride is the BHF's largest fund-raising event and is aiming to raise £3 million this year.

Since 1980, when the BHF became the benefiting charity, the ride has raised more than £31 million.

About 580,000 riders have taken part, cycling more than 33 million miles.

Jamie Spencer, 33, a tiler, of Bexhill Road, Woodingdean, Brighton, said: "It was really enjoyable, the course was really nice and all the stewards were great, cheering everyone on. There was a great atmosphere.

"I managed to do it in about four and a half hours. I've never done it before but I would definitely do it again.

"We had a really early start at 6am which I was glad of because we beat most of the heat."

A team of ten from Bristol and London joined the hordes of cyclists in memory of their friend, Chris Walker, who died in January, aged 30, from a congenital heart disease.

His widow Karelle Walker, 28, a camerawoman from London, said: "Chris loved cycling and he was always encouraging other people to cycle so we decided this would be a great thing to do.

"He used to work in a bike shop and inspired people to do things without putting any pressure on them. It's nice to know he is still inspiring people to cycle.

"We're hoping to raise at least £2,000 and the ride has been good preparation for the Bath to London bike ride, which we are doing in August."

Sam Reeve, 29, a recycling consultant, from Bristol, said: "We've done the ride in memory of Chris and obviously to raise as much as we can for research into heart disease.

"We managed to complete it in about six hours, although I think Chris would have been disappointed with our pace."

Paul Jady, 35, a carpenter, from Bristol, added: "If it wasn't for Chris none of us would be here. It was a superb ride."

Lee Cordell and Callum Humphries, both 16, completed the course as part of a four-strong team from their school in Hemel Hempstead. They hope to raise almost £1,000 between them.

They said: "It has been a great day with a brilliant atmosphere. There have been a few people dressed up. We've seen a Scooby Doo and a Batman and Robin.

"The only problem was the heat. We were OK because we had an early start but it will be a nightmare for people starting later."

A 20-strong team from the City of London Police took part to raise more than £2,000 for the charity.

Police officer Ian Woolridge said: "We wanted to do it because it's for such a good cause and we have had a lot of support.

"We even managed to cycle up the hill at the end. Now we are going to go for a swim in the sea and relax."

Andy and Caroline Johnson were part of a team of 49 people from engineering company Foster Wheeler in Reading who were hoping to raise about £10,000.

Caroline, 49, said: "This is the ninth year running I have done it. It was really hot but now we are meeting up with the team to have a barbecue before we head back to Reading."

Julie Sorrell, head of events at the British Heart Foundation, said: "The London to Brighton bike ride is a hugely important fund-raiser for us.

"Thanks to all the riders and their sponsors, the nation's heart charity will be able to continue to fund pioneering research which saves and improves the lives of adults and children."

For those who did not take part in this year's event, the BHF also organises the Hearts First Bike Rides, a series of about 50 UK bike rides throughout the year.

To find out more, visit www.bhf.org.uk/bikerides or call 020 7487 9406.