Take two for the tandem as couple ‘Beat the Beacon’ 30 years later
Husband and wife from Brookwood pedalled their way to success on a tandem bike in the London to Brighton Bike Ride for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) on Sunday.
Sarah and Sam Down, who both work at Jo Downs Handmade Glass in Sunningdale joined over 14,000 riders on 15th June who took on the 54-mile route from Clapham Common to the Brighton seafront, all with the same mission to fund lifesaving research.
The BHF’s flagship fundraising event has been running for almost half a century. So far this year, it has raised over £1.6 million for the charity’s groundbreaking research into new treatments and cures for cardiovascular diseases. Sarah and Sam raised an incredible £350 by tackling the mammoth cycle.
United they took on the tandem challenge to settle a longstanding score with Ditchling Beacon. Sam explains “Around 30 years ago Sarah and I cycled the BHF’s London to Brighton Bike Ride on this tandem bike. Annoyingly we didn’t quite ‘beat the beacon’ having to stop around 30 metres short! Ironically, we were overtaken by another tandem, who made it to the top.”
A keen cyclist and member Woking Cycle Club, Sam has gone on to complete London to Brighton solo over ten times. The now 55-year-old also went on to complete more tandem challenges cycling from John O’Groats to Lands' End in the summer of 2019 with his sister. But could never quite put London to Brighton to bed.
Sarah said: “Sam and I kept talking about getting rid of the tandem this year. But that never happened, and we ended up signing up to London to Brighton instead – I'm not quite sure how he wangled that one.”
The 56-year-old admits she’s not an avid cyclist like Sam but is happy to just get her head down and pedal away.
The pair were both elated to have beaten the beacon 30 years later!
Upon crossing the finish line, Sam said: “Taking part in the London to Brighton Bike Ride 2025 for the British Heart Foundation (BHF), was such a huge challenge and an incredible experience. The atmosphere throughout was fantastic and the support along the route was a real motivator! I’m so proud we have finally completed the beacon on our tandem.
Sarah continued: “As much as we were here on a personal challenge today, I’m also proud to support the research that the BHF does. It makes such a difference to the 7.6 million people in the UK living with heart and circulatory diseases. I’m thrilled to know I’m doing as much as I can to support their amazing work to help fund the next big scientific breakthrough.”
Roisin Atkinson, Senior Events Manager at the BHF, added: “It’s fantastic to see Sarah and Sam’s passion and determination in helping us fund lifesaving research. Without the dedication of our cyclists and the commitment of fundraisers like Sarah and Sam, we wouldn’t be able to fund research that has already broken new ground, revolutionised treatments and transformed the lives of millions of people in the UK.
“The stories of why our amazing supporters take part in our London to Brighton Bike Ride never fails to impress us. It’s truly heartwarming to see Sarah and Sam join thousands of other riders to take on this challenge to help save and improve lives.”
The London to Brighton Bike Ride 2026 ballot is now open: bhf.org.uk/L2B