From Latte to Lights Out: At the London to Brighton Bike Ride
As a fundraiser in events, our teams are expected to pull out all the stops and work on our flagship London to Brighton Bike Ride, which has been running for the past 44 years! Some of our riders have been riding since 1995 and others far longer…This year, across the BHF, we have also put together a team of 15 (led by Maxine) to complete the beautiful course starting from Clapham Common and ending on the Brighton Beach Front.
As I joined BHF nearly four months ago, this is one of my first major events, where I was supporting on the ground logistics. Below is my account of the day from dawn to dusk!
It's not a race: all are welcome
03:30: My alarm went off ( although I have been up for 15 minutes). The day light hasn’t broken yet…but am really excited!
03:50: Really glad that the pre-ordered Uber turned up. Having NOT gone out clubbing for over ten years in London, I really wasn’t sure what is the deal, hailing early morning taxis.
04:00: On time arrival at Clapham Common, South Side. Majority of our teams were there already. They have worked tirelessly the day before to set up and even though I can barely see anything, I just about make out the giant BHF tear-shaped banners and make my way to the VIP tent.
04:30: Caterers have turned up but only brought two urns (one for coffee, one for hot water). The team managing the check-in and registration of some 15,000 riders really need some hot drinks, but the hot water points are about 500 meters away, on the other end of the park (nightmare!)
05:15: All vehicles started to move off the common as light breaks through.
05:20: We found a way to supply hot water to the Information & Registration Tents! (Hooray!)
05:47: Blimey, the riders for the 06:00 START have arrived and a queue was formed.
06:00: (How is it only 6am. I have been here for two and half hours and still NOT had a coffee. My own fault entirely, of course)
06:10: The first wave of riders had set off, although ten minutes later than planned, they were all smiles and eager to commence the 54 mile bike ride to Brighton!
07:00: The Corporate Teams, from Bam Nuttall, NG Bailey and others, arrive at the tent for their breakfast. They are geared up and ready to go! 'Dirty Weekend', our rider safety team arrive too.
07:30: One of the caterers just told me we have ran out of staff breakfast! (Eeeek!) I was in danger of spiraling into hunger mode...
08:00: The fifth wave of riders set off and we still have more riders turning up on the common.
08:30: BHF Team looking sharp and ready to go, despite the threat of rain.
09:00: We were ready for the last two waves of the riders and we shall be closing up Clapham in an hour.
09:01: (It now felt like as though it should be 3pm in the afternoon, having been on site for over 5 hours now….#hungry).
09:15: Our lovely caterer, who I have befriended, asked if I can make my way up to the Information/Registration Tent to collect the jug we have used to ferry hot water across there, in exchange for a sandwich (wait, there were sandwiches, why didn’t they say…) as my reward for making the ? mile journey up and back again, so half a mile…(I can do this)
09:20: Met a panic-stricken rider whose bike breaks have gone. He asked me if there was a mechanics nearby, in the now minor downpour. I suggested he checks in with our on-site mechanical shop. He tells me he has but they have ran out of the essential parts… (Oh dear…)
09:25: I asked the mechanic to join the small peloton of riders now providing support to their concerned rider friend. The mechanic was kind and pulled out his phone and started to instruct someone to bring the part over from the store: problem solved.
09:35: Jug backed at the base camp (VIP Tent) and I started to think about clear down with my two colleagues.
10:00: Close down of VIP Tent completed & I checked in with the Information/Registration Tent Team.
10:38: Arrived home to change, as socks and trousers were completely soaked from the rain. Made a coffee and off I go again.
11:32: Caught the train from Clapham Junction to Brighton! Winning! but hold up, it was jammed packed on the train... :-(
12:05: Thank goodness that a lot of people have stopped at Gatwick. I now have a seat opposite to an American couple and I talked to them about London to Brighton. (The adrenaline kicked in and I couldn’t stop.) (Poor couple; well, they asked me about Brexit after L2B…)
12: 35: Touch down at Brighton! The sun was shining and I received a message saying that a lot of riders have finished! WHAT?!? I am missing all the action!
13:01: [Note to self]: it takes a while to walk to the beach, especially when one is carrying a colleague’s rucksack from when she entrusted one with her 10kg, training/food supply bag: so that she doesn’t have to carry it, whilst completing the 54 mile ride! #MyGoodDeedOfTheDay #IWontNameYouThisTime ;-)
13:10: Briefed and received handover from the Brighton VIP Tent (AM) Team. I briefed the volunteer in turn, who seemed to know more than me already...
14:00: Fully sunny now at the gorgeous Brighton Beach Village! Really tempted to get an ice cream and dip my toes in the sea, but there are people to greet and riders to welcome back! (There is even a massage tent and free bike wash for those who have signed up to the VIP experience #Wellness)
14:30 – 18:00: Looked out for riders and supporters, who were directed to the VIP tent because they were doing an interview with the Story Team, which was then beamed onto the giant plasma.
18:00: Last rider expected back and the person crossed the finishing line!
19:30: 'Site close down' message received and we began de-rigging the site.
20:00: Managed to make the train and fell asleep (thankfully not on anyone…)
21:00: Home again!
Post-script
It was a fantastic day, in spite of the long shift! Also, amazing to witness some 15,000 riders, at the start. There was nothing that could have stopped them, whether it was rain or high water; not to mention, it was also Fathering Sunday and that Unicef's #SoccerAid was on later that evening!
Note to future self:
- Bring a flash light!
- Always pack some spare socks!
- Wear one of those fishing vests where you could stash cereal bars instead of baits!
I am extremely impressed with our amazing Events Team who have meticulously planned and delivered this iconic event, featuring Europe's oldest cycling route, across the last ten months. The Beach Village was akin to ‘Cheltenham Festival' on the 'English Riviera' (work with me, people), but populated with thousands of keen cyclists; but it was a day for families and beginners too! I have learned our event USP by heart now: this is not a race but a mass participation event for all! And thanks to the generosity of the riders and their supporters, ￡2m has been raised so far!
London to Brighton 2020, I hear you say?
‘Together we ride’ is the 2019 theme for the London to Brighton Bike Ride. Our riders and supporters have helped us to raise important funds to help beat heartbreaks forever! Are you inspired to take part and ride for our amazing cause? Registration is now open for 2020, you can find out more here.
Why not ride with your colleagues and enter a Corporate Team and help us to raise more money by asking your employer to match-fund your fundraised amount? Or could your company sponsor our event next year - our 45th no less - come and experience this wonderful, inspiring and award-winning event. Let's start a conversation and you can get in touch via: [email protected].
Jess is a passionate fundraiser from the Events Team - working to encourage corporates to support BHF's lifesaving cause.
She was one of the five who delivered London House, during the Beijing 2008 Olympics; managed a Cultural Olympiad exhibition featuring 300 artists, at the Barbican, during the London 2012 Olympics; volunteered as a London Ambassador during the 2012 Games. She has also supported IWM teams who have worked on the transformation of the First World War Galleries and the Centenary of First World War Partnership.