London to Brighton Cycle Challenge

The L2B, as it's called by those in the know, is the classic bike ride between London and Brighton. You do it in a day, passing through some lovely Sussex countryside, and cross England's newest National Park, the South Downs, at one of its highest points: Ditchling Beacon at 248m before an exhilarating descent into Brighton. The route goes from the traditional starting point at Clapham Common to the fine pier of England's archetypal seaside town. You'll have time to dip your wheels in the sea - and your toes, while you're about it.

The route is a grand day out, and is as memorable, but more strenuous, than going to Brighton in an old banger. The route is far from flat, and is not to be underestimated as a challenge. It is a good day of riding, and has some stiff hills to negotiate. At the end of the trip, we've thrown in a night in Brighton to celebrate your achievements.

Banner image by Richard Child via Flickr.

• 87km, or 54 miles
• Fully guided
• Support vehicle
• One night’s accommodation in Brighton

From the starting point at Clapham Common, you start by winding your way through London streets, some of which can be busy, out past the M25 and the country, and go along city streets past Sutton, Banstead and Redhill until you hit the Sussex countryside. After crossing the M23, you'll pass to the East of Crawley, skirt Heywards Heath, then after the two small villages of Wivelsfield and Ditchling. Once out of the city, your route runs mostly along cycle paths and quiet country roads.

Even though it seems a short distance on the map, you cross a fascinating series of zones of natural and human geography. The route crosses two fingers of limestone that stretch eastwards from a concentration in Wiltshire. The northern one forms the North Downs, and the southern one constitutes the South Downs. These chalk hills make for wonderful sea cliffs and rounded summits with grassy tops, ancient pathways, and panoramic views. Between these two fingers is the Weald, which has a mixtrure of sandstones and clay-based soils and produces fields, and some of the ancient forests that used to cover most of southern England. In more modern times, agriculture, small fields, and bushy lanes of this area have come to represent quintessential rural England.

There are four main hills on the route. The first three are: in Carshalton and Chipstead, between the A 2022 and Tickner's Hill; Church Hill near Nutfield Marsh; and just East of Crawley, when you go over Crawley Down and Turners Hill. This 100m rise will hopefully get you ready for the last one: a pull of nearly 200m to get you from the village of Ditchling up and over the Beacon. You'll be rewarded with a magnificent vista of the south coast. Overall, you'll have done 583m of ascent.

Weather conditions permit us to run this course anytime from April to October.

Any number (one upwards) can join an open trip, or for 8 or more booking we will run a bespoke trip on dates of your request.

We have availability throughout the year for bespoke trips. please contact us for more details.

If the date you want is fully booked or not listed please contact us - we may still be able to help!

For 1-7 people on a trip we will advertise the trip here and upon meeting minimum numbers confirm the trip.

For 8-9 people on a trip we will advertise the trip here as a confirmed trip and reserve the right to add additional people on to it.

For 10+ people on a trip we will run an exclusive trip.

All requested dates are unconfirmed until minimum numbers have been booked.

To do this trip you need to have a certain level of fitness and be able to ride a bike! The fitter you are the more you will enjoy your day.You'll be going off road, so bring a trail bike or hybrid if you can: a mountain bike will be fine too. The cycling covers 54 miles and will take about 5-7 hours. You should be able to cycle several hours a day whilst carrying day kit.

We recommend that you follow a fitness plan in preparation for your challenge, an example of one will be sent to you when you have confirmed your booking.

Although the fitness plan we will send to you has been devised by a fitness professional, this is only provided as a guide and you should seek professional advice before starting your own fitness regime.

2012 Price: £199pp

Price Includes:

• Professional Event Organisation
• Qualified cycle guides.
• One night's accommodation
• Support vehicle
• Baggage and equipment transfers
• Public and Product liability insurance is included. Participants must have their own accident and travel insurance
• Financial Protection: in the unlikely event of insolvency, all our trips are protected in accordance with the 1992 Package Travel Regulations.
• Return travel to London the following day after an overnight in Brighton to celebrate!!

Additional services available:

• Bike hire
• Personal accident and travel Insurance.