On Sunday 7 September the Brighton Breezy Randonnee will return for its second edition, bigger, better and breezier than before. Organised by Brighton and Hove Cyclist Touring Club, members of the CTC group decided last year to use their previous experience in organising sportives, audax and charity events to organise the inaugural Breezy event. 

Historically a randonnée is a long distance cycling event where riders aim to complete a prescribed course within a specific time. The Brighton Breezy updates this idea by providing signed 100km and 70km routes, more akin to a sportive. However, unlike a sportive, riders are not timed.  

The event is run for cyclists by cyclists, and is “not for profit” – meaning a comparatively entry fee of just £7.50. The event is staffed by volunteers who give their time to promote cycling and to make an enjoyable day for all. With a limited entry of 200 riders the Breezy is sure to sell out.   Participants in last year’s successful event rode all manner of bikes from the latest carbon fibre machines to 5-speed old steel racers and even a unicycle! 

The Breezy has 2 circular routes. The 70km option has one refreshment stop, and the more challenging 100km route has two, as it follows a figure of eight path through the High Weald. HQ is based at Brighton University’s new Sports Centre, located near Brighton and Hove Albion’s AMEX stadium. The sports centre has excellent facilities, with changing rooms, showers, toilets and ample free car parking all available on site.  

Both Breezy routes leave Falmer and follow the A27 cycle path to the historic town of Lewes. Here riders leave the busy roads and travel through typical Sussex countryside to Barcombe Mills and Ringmer. As the route continues, the scenery changes from open plains with big sky views of the South Downs to wooded lanes and small rises heralding the approaching Weald. 

At 35km the refreshment point is reached, based in scenic Waldron village - the halfway point for the shorter ride. Tea, coffee, cakes and savories will all be on offer, and with the stop based in a village hall there will be proper toilet facilities too. If all goes to plan the Brighton Breezy Bake Off finalists’ winning Spicy Flapjack, Victoria Sponge and Fruit Cake will be available to enjoy.    

For those riders that want a more serious challenge, the longer (100km) route splits off after the refreshment point into hilly wooded lanes typical of the Weald, before continuing northwards towards the villages of Heathfield, Mayfield and Rotherfield. 

The riders return to Waldron tea stop for a second visit before rejoining the short route and returning back to Falmer via Glydebourne and Lewes - with Lewes high street representing the only major hill on the return leg.  In the true spirit of a randonnee event, hopefully a few moments can be spent taking in the views from the top of the high street, or stopping and having a look at the castle.  

Brighton and Hove CTC’s aim is to create an event for all cyclists, and to encourage participation in a non-competitive way. A not-for-profit event run by cyclists, for cyclists. 

For more information visit www.brightonandhovectc.co.uk and to enter, visit www.sientries.co.uk.