Beeches to Beaches 2025 ….

By James Hibbert

There is something magical about the Sea and requisite Sea-Side.

The seaside, and none more so than Brighton, always has that retro carefree exciting-yet-relaxing feel to it. It’s hard to put into words, but I think you will know that feeling of arriving at the seaside … the anticipation of letting the usually-strong salty winds blow your cares away for a short while, and the inevitable fish and chips and possible 99 ice-cream. Sights, smells and noises all very different at the Beaches of Brighton than the Beeches at Carshalton.

The bike has got to be the perfect mode of transportation to the seaside. Its freedom inducing qualities, it’s working up an appetite for the aforementioned fish and chips, it’s bringing the stress levels down before you even arrive as you don’t need to consider the traffic or where you are going to park and its memories of both bike and sea pushing bracing winds through your hair.

The bike and the Seaside may just be one of those magical combinations just like those fish and chips and ice-cream with a flake.

Beeches to Beaches 2025 was looking like being a potentially wet and windy affair, but the only fleeting rain to be had could not have been more perfectly timed as we sat under cover at the half way stop on the way down – the roads for the first few miles of the remaining ride down being soddenly wet, and most of us only getting a little wet from the spray off the bike in front, with only ‘1000 km Phil Bull’ staying completely dry and clean by leading the peloton from the front, which he did for most the ride there and back !!!

Today, for Phil, was the last day of his 1000 km challenge, riding 1000 km in one month for a charity very close to his heart (Huntingtons Disease), timed to absolute perfection by completing his 1000 km monthly tally back in Carshalton Beeches. Well done, Phil !!

Thirteen of us left Carshalton Beeches on this Sunday morning and we counted thirteen all back in again, although in various ways. Some getting the train back from Brighton, others making it a good portion back and jumping on the train, and the remaining  mostly sat in Phils wake and riding all the way back to Carshalton Beeches … however, whichever way they made it back, all got that feeling of riding to and in-to Brighton, and all (except Sean who opted for a lovely looking seafood pasta) enjoyed the obligatory chips (most with fish, but not all) and all left Brighton with that sense having a big day out, for which they will be reminded of for the next few days by the wind-beaten slightly sun-kissed feeling the face always has after such a day on the bike.

Only one thought to pack sunscreen on the glooming looking Sunday morning, so Chairman Andy’s ride home was slightly lightened by the now used communal sunscreen !! Well done, Andy.

For some it was their first time up Ditchling Beacon, and for all it was the usual … ‘this has got to the be the last corner’ only to turn the corner and the road swoops up again. Having said that, I think most if not all set PB’s up Ditchling Beacon this year. The slightly cooler temperatures seemingly making the ride up just that little bit easier this year.

The Regency Restaurant provided its usual knock-out combination of sea-front location, outstanding food, and charismatic staff. Whether you cycle, drive, or take the train, this restaurant is genuinely worth the journey alone, even if we did all get food envy by the family sat a few tables away all eating Lobster and sipping something fizzy.

Each of us have our own tales to tell from the day, and to the best of my knowledge each story will talk of the joys and freedom the bike gives you, and the pleasure of spending the day with friends. I didn’t even see or hear of any punctures.

I will let the photos do the rest of the talking, but of course, if you bump into one of the following be sure to ask them if Ditchling Beacon really is as hard as people say it is and if they will be joining us again next year – I am pretty sure the answers will be yes and YES !!!  

Riders on the day :  Phil Bull, Aykut, Sean, Alex, Andy Long, Lorna, Monika, Nick, Paul Ahearn, Rachel, Tom Huggon, Jo Dunn and myself.

In memory of Sharon Scott.