THE biggest bike ride in Europe arrives in Brighton on Sunday.

In 1976, 30 friends got together to cycle from London to the seafront in Brighton.

This year, there will be 27,000 riders and organiser Cycle Rides has had to turn away another 10,000.

The ride will raise money for the British Heart Foundation through sponsorship.

Deputy head of events, Julia Sorrell, said: "Last year it raised more than £1.6 million.

"We are raising money to fight the biggest killer in Britain, heart and circulation disease."

The route will be the same as in past years through Sussex, passing through Turners Hill and Ditchling before going over the Beacon and down Coldean Lane towards Brighton seafront.

Principal organiser Peter Allerhand said: "We had almost enough entries to have a second run.

"In 1990, we counted 36,000 and that really was too many. We keep the numbers down for safety and to ensure a good ride.

"It is full up for this year so people should not try to get in."

Connex South Central is laying on frequent trains between London and Brighton, calling at intermediate places such as Clapham Junction, nearest main line station to the start on Clapham Common.

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