THOUSANDS of people completed the London to Brighton bike ride this afternoon.

It was the first bike ride in two years after the pandemic forced organisers to cancel.

Around 15,000 cyclists took on the challenge, organised by the British Heart Foundation, which involved pedalling 54 miles between Clapham Common to Madeira Drive in Brighton.

People set off from around 6am and arrived across the morning and into the afternoon.

The Argus: Lee Saunders, right, with his daughter Annabelle, brother in law Martin Shipp and two nieces Amber and SophiaLee Saunders, right, with his daughter Annabelle, brother in law Martin Shipp and two nieces Amber and Sophia

Lee Saunders, 41, from Heathrow, took part in the ride with his brother-in-law, raising £260 for Get Kids Going, a charity which gives disabled children a chance to participate in sport.

He told The Argus: “It was all good, we stayed dry luckily. It was the second time I have done the ride. We raised money for Get Kids Going which helps children to get into sport with equipment.

“I did it with my brother-in-law and all our family waited at the finish line. The kids are going on a few rides down here and then we are going to go back home later.”

The Argus: The ride finished in Madeira Drive. Pictures from Simon DackThe ride finished in Madeira Drive. Pictures from Simon Dack

All participants received a medal for completing the route and got the chance to relax at a beach village along the seafront which had live music from local bands and musicians.

One cyclist competing in the event for the first time told The Argus he thought his “heart would burst out of his chest” after ascending Ditchling Beacon. It has an elevation of 248 metres.

There was traffic in the city centre around The Level with intermittent road closures due to the bike ride.

The Argus: Thousands rode through the city centre. Pictures by Simon DackThousands rode through the city centre. Pictures by Simon Dack

Several bus routes were also impacted by the event, with the 24 and 79 being suspended, with others being diverted for most of the day.

The London to Brighton Bike Ride is Europe’s oldest charity bike ride, taking place every summer since 1975 after being organised by street performer Robert Stredder and his partner as a bike version of the London to Brighton car rally.

The event has grown from just 36 riders to several thousand cyclists every year.

Over more than 40 years, more than 800,000 cyclists have taken part and raised more than £65 million to fund life-saving research into heart disease.