More than 27,000 people from around the UK set off at dawn from London to begin the cycle route through Surrey to the Sussex coast.
More
than
27,000
people
from
around
the
UK
set
off
at
dawn
from
London
to
begin
the
cycle
route
through
Surrey
to
the
Sussex
coast
.
The annual 54-mile ride raises money for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and is Europe's largest charity cycling event.
The
annual
54-mile
ride
raises
money
for
the
British
Heart
Foundation
(
BHF
)
and
is
Europe
's
largest
charity
cycling
event
.
Cyclists began the exhausting journey at Clapham Common at 6 a. m., hoping to reach Brighton seafront within an average of six hours.
Cyclists
began
the
exhausting
journey
at
Clapham
Common
at
6
a.
m.
,
hoping
to
reach
Brighton
seafront
within
an
average
of
six
hours
.
Money from today's event will help the charity to continue its vital work through heart research and the development of its care and support services.
Money
from
today
's
event
will
help
the
charity
to
continue
its
vital
work
through
heart
research
and
the
development
of
its
care
and
support
services
.
Among those taking part was BBC Breakfast's resident Dr Rosemary Leonard and several colleagues.
Among
those
taking
part
was
BBC
Breakfast
's
resident
Dr
Rosemary
Leonard
and
several
colleagues
.
BHF spokeswoman Gemma Cloke said, "It was quite cold this morning, but everyone set off without any problems."
BHF
spokeswoman
Gemma
Cloke
said
,
``
It
was
quite
cold
this
morning
,
but
everyone
set
off
without
any
problems
.
''
Those taking part range in age from 14 to those in their 70s.
Those
taking
part
range
in
age
from
14
to
those
in
their
70s
.
Last year cyclists raisedPS4.
Last
year
cyclists
raisedPS4
.
1 million for the charity, and have raised more thanPS50 million since the BHF became involved in the event in 1980.
1
million
for
the
charity
,
and
have
raised
more
thanPS50
million
since
the
BHF
became
involved
in
the
event
in
1980
.
The first ride was held in 1976.
The
first
ride
was
held
in
1976
.
It is hoped this year's fund raising total could reachPS4.
It
is
hoped
this
year
's
fund
raising
total
could
reachPS4
.
5 million.
5
million
.
She added: "We have a lot of people taking part, from the more experienced cyclists to those cycling with friends and family in memory of someone and to raise money through sponsorship."
She
added
:
``
We
have
a
lot
of
people
taking
part
,
from
the
more
experienced
cyclists
to
those
cycling
with
friends
and
family
in
memory
of
someone
and
to
raise
money
through
sponsorship
.
''
"People are always pleased knowing the money is going to a good cause.
``
People
are
always
pleased
knowing
the
money
is
going
to
a
good
cause
.
There is so much support along the route, with local residents watching the ride."
There
is
so
much
support
along
the
route
,
with
local
residents
watching
the
ride
.
''
"One of the highlights for participants is coming along the seafront while people are clapping, which can really help when they've been in the saddle for a long time."
``
One
of
the
highlights
for
participants
is
coming
along
the
seafront
while
people
are
clapping
,
which
can
really
help
when
they
've
been
in
the
saddle
for
a
long
time
.
''
More than 27,000 people from around the UK set off at dawn from London to begin the cycle route through Surrey to the Sussex coast.  The annual 54-mile ride raises money for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and is Europe's largest charity cycling event. Cyclists began the exhausting journey at Clapham Common at 6 a. m., hoping to reach Brighton seafront within an average of six hours.  Money from today's event will help the charity to continue its vital work through heart research and the development of its care and support services. Among those taking part was BBC Breakfast's resident Dr Rosemary Leonard and several colleagues.  BHF spokeswoman Gemma Cloke said, "It was quite cold this morning, but everyone set off without any problems." Those taking part range in age from 14 to those in their 70s. Last year cyclists raisedPS4. 1 million for the charity, and have raised more thanPS50 million since the BHF became involved in the event in 1980. The first ride was held in 1976. It is hoped this year's fund raising total could reachPS4. 5 million. She added: "We have a lot of people taking part, from the more experienced cyclists to those cycling with friends and family in memory of someone and to raise money through sponsorship."  "People are always pleased knowing the money is going to a good cause. There is so much support along the route, with local residents watching the ride."  "One of the highlights for participants is coming along the seafront while people are clapping, which can really help when they've been in the saddle for a long time."