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On Sunday June 20^th I’ll be doing the London – Brighton Bike Ride. 54 botty-numbing miles from Clapham Common to Brighton on my trusty Trek 4500 in aid of the British Heart Foundation. I did it for the first time last year, and did quite well too, and I’ve learned a few things from that first experience. Mainly:

1. Sunblock. Despite having a bottle of sunblock in a prominent position that I couldn’t possibly miss as I got ready to leave for last year’s ride so I wouldn’t forget to baste myself in it before I left, I forgot to baste myself in it before I left. Six very hot and sunny hours later as I boarded the coach for the return journey, an attractive trucker’s suntan had started to develop on my arms and face (with lovely white stripes down either side where my helmet straps had been) and my head was starting to throb. By the time I finally got home, my skin was lobster-red and very prickly, and my head was pounding. When you’re as fair-skinned as me, it pays to lather yourself in sunblock if you’re about to cycle 54 miles on a hot day. So this year... SUNBLOCK.

2. Five litres of water consumed over a 54 mile bike ride on a hot day clearly isn’t enough. More water this time. And those horrible-tasting gel packs.

3. Get an earlier start. I started at 7:30 last year and wanted to complete the ride in under four hours, but was unable to in the end because once out in the country, each hill, however small, had a bottleneck of people pushing their bikes up because they didn’t fancy the uphill bit. It sometimes took over half an hour to shuffle 300 meters, which added a whole two hours to my ride time. But not this year! I’ve got the very first start time – 6:00 – so there won’t be nearly as many people in front of me and my goal of doing it in under four hours shall be achieved!

4. 44mph on a bicycle is one of the best feelings ever. It’s the fastest I’ve ever gone and I hit it as I came down the Ditchling Beacon. It’s hugely exhilarating and massively dangerous, but it’s not quite 45mph, is it? That’s a nice round number. 50mph is even better. Is it possible? We’ll see. Will I survive if it goes horrifically wrong? Probably not.

So, I’ve done it before and know what awaits. The bike will be going in for a service so it’s in tip-top condition for the ride, and I’ll be doing some training circuits around Richmond Park to complement my daily 20 mile round trip to work. My right knee has been grumbling a bit recently, possibly as a result of cycling in cleats, so I took advice and bought an open patella knee support. The bloke in the shop said I had very well-developed quads. How about that? I, Richard Beenham, have very well-developed quads. And a bloke in a specialist running shop said that so that’s 100%.

I’d be very grateful if you could sponsor me in this endeavour. It is a bit knackering but very rewarding. It would be so much more so if you could spare a couple of quid to spur me on. Here’s the serious charity bit:

Donating through JustGiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: the British Heart Foundation gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, JustGiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

Heart problems aren't nice. We all know someone who has suffered from them or been taken from us too soon by them. By sponsoring me you can do your bit in the fight back.

I think I’m up to it. Last year’s lessons have been learned. I am better than I was before. Better. Stronger. Fatter.

And remember, I aim to do it in under four hours! Your generously donated cash will propel me. So please sponsor me now!

Thanks in advance. I won’t let you down!