10:34am Sunday 21st June 2009
By Siobhan Ryan
They may have been saddle-sore but most of them still managed a smile after pedalling 54 miles across the county. More than 27,000 cyclists had set off from Clapham Common at 6am today morning for the annual trek to Brighton seafront - taking in the notorious Ditchling Beacon on the way.
The riders were cheered on by thousands of people along the route, with most riders taking between five and six hours to reach the finishing line on Madeira Drive, Brighton.
Click here or on the gallery in related links below to view pictures from the event.
They included Gary Torbuck, 48, from Worthing, his two brothers Dave and Martin and Dave's son Robbie.
Mr Torbuck said: “Martin and I did the ride last year for the first time to support my wife's dad, who has had heart problems and the four of us decided to go for it this year.
“The conditions were pretty good weather-wise but Ditchling Beacon was really tough.”
Sarah Croucher, 30, from Chingford, took just under five hours to finish.
She said: “I am absolutely shattered but it was fantastic.
"I really enjoyed it.
"I'm off home for a good rest now.”
Robin Bartlett, 27, from London, decided to do the race wearing nothing but a giant nappy.
He said: “I said if I was able to raise £300 before I started I would do the ride in a nappy.
"I managed to raise the money and so here I am.
“It wasn't too bad.
I think I've got a bit of nappy rash but at least I was nice and cool.”
The ride, the biggest charity cycling event in Europe, caused severe traffic problems with roads sealed off to let cyclists pass through safely.
Riders also had to arrange transport back home by road because of Southern railway's ban on bikes in Brighton and surrounding stations, which added to the congestion.
The event raised a record £4.2 million last year and has raised more than £46 million since 1980.
Foundation spokeswoman Gemma Cloke said: “It has been a fantastic day and there was a really good turnout.
"The weather has been brilliant and the atmosphere is great.”
A spokeswoman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said that more than 300 riders had been treated for minor cuts and bruises after falls during the ride.
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