London to Brighton Bike Ride: route, Ditchling Beacon and how to prepare
- Distance
- 85.4 km
- Climbing
- 874 m
- Highest point
- 227 m
- Categorised climbs
- 7 · up to 12 %
- Shape
- Point to point
Measured on the course you ride in Cycloscape. The organiser's own figures are below.
Elevation profile
8–227 m · 7 categorised climbsThe 6 biggest of 7 categorised climbs, in the order you ride them.
The British Heart Foundation's London to Brighton Bike Ride is 54 miles (86.9 km) from Clapham Common in south London to Brighton seafront. The next edition is on Sunday 20 June 2027. Most of it rolls through the Surrey and Sussex countryside; the climb everyone remembers is Ditchling Beacon, onto the South Downs, a few miles before the sea.
BHF London to Brighton at a glance
- Where
- London – Brighton, United Kingdom
- Official website
- bhf.org.uk ↗
- Next edition
- 20 June 2027
- Routes
- London to Brighton: 86.9 km · From Ardingly Showground: 33 km
- Terrain
- Rolling to flat
- Facts checked
- 4 November 2026, against the sources below
Full preparation and course training require Event Coach Pro.
Ride the real course on your trainer. The route of BHF London to Brighton, 85 km, as a 3D world, with your trainer following its gradients — any day, and as part of your Event Coach plan. Part of Cycloscape Pro.
The routes
The BHF London to Brighton Bike Ride offers 2 routes.
| Route | Distance | Climbing |
|---|---|---|
| London to Brighton (54 miles) | 86.9 km | — |
| From Ardingly Showground (20.5 miles) | 33 km | — |
What the course asks of you
Out of London the route rolls south through the suburbs and the Weald, on lanes that are busy with riders all day: expect to queue at junctions and on the first hills. The terrain stays gentle until the South Downs.
Ditchling Beacon is the one real climb: a steady, steep road onto the Downs, with most of the distance already in your legs. Ride it at your own pace, seated where you can; from the top it is mostly downhill to the sea.
How to prepare
The general shape of a good preparation, which Event Coach turns into a plan for your fitness, time and date:
- Train steady power: efforts of 10 to 20 minutes just below your threshold teach you the pace you can hold over the rolling roads of the BHF London to Brighton Bike Ride.
- Build the long ride towards 86.9 km, at a pace you could keep all day.
- Ride part of your training in a group: on rolling roads, staying in a wheel saves more energy than any other choice.
Pacing mistakes to avoid
The mistakes that cost riders the most on a day like this:
- Pushing every rise of the BHF London to Brighton Bike Ride: on rolling roads, keep the effort steady and let the speed vary.
- Following the fastest wheels in the first kilometres, when everything feels easy.
- Drinking only when thirsty: a long rolling day dehydrates you before you notice.
Prepare the BHF London to Brighton Bike Ride with Cycloscape
Tell Event Coach you are doing the BHF London to Brighton Bike Ride, your route and what you want from the day, and it builds your preparation towards 20 June 2027: structured workouts held by your trainer in ERG, Race Pacing for how to spend your effort, and Performance Lab to see whether the work is landing. Full preparation and course training require Event Coach Pro.
Frequently asked
When is the BHF London to Brighton Bike Ride 2027?
On Sunday, 20 June 2027, according to the organiser.
How long are the routes of the BHF London to Brighton Bike Ride?
London to Brighton: 86.9 km; From Ardingly Showground: 33 km. The 2027 routes as the BHF lists them; the shorter route starts at Ardingly Showground and joins the full route.
How many riders take part?
More than 14,000 riders took part in 2025, according to the British Heart Foundation.
Do I have to raise money?
A BHF charity place comes with a suggested fundraising target of £350; the BHF also offers places without a target. Check the BHF's page for the current options.
Can I ride the course of the BHF London to Brighton Bike Ride in Cycloscape?
Yes, inside Event Coach with Cycloscape Pro: once you start your preparation, the course is ridden on your trainer as part of the plan.