The New Year is fast approaching, and this is typically a time when we start to plan big transformations and new habits for the year ahead. To help keep you on track with your new year’s resolutions, it’s helpful to be training towards a goal – and this is where the London to Brighton Cycle challenge can help.
Cycling 55 miles is an admirable feat that will challenge your physical and mental endurance. While it should be achievable for most people with a moderate level of fitness, it becomes more fun when you create a training plan. With training, the distance becomes much more manageable, and you’ll have more of an opportunity to enjoy the scenery.
Learning how to ride in a group is also a unique challenge, and it can help to keep you on track and accountable. If you’re looking for a challenge for 2026, we’d recommend gathering your friends or colleagues and committing to the London to Brighton Cycle ride. Here’s why…
Cycling is one of the most efficient forms of exercise
Cycling is not just a great cardio workout and a muscle strengthening exercise; it’s also a mode of transportation. When you’re training for a cycle race, you’ll find that you start to cycle everywhere, which will boost your fitness levels and reduce your carbon footprint. You might find that you can cut your commute time when cycling instead of waiting for public transport or sitting in traffic.
It’s the perfect team sport
If you’re the type of person that cringes when you think about team sports, then cycling might just be the sport for you. It’s a team sport in the sense that you are competing against other teams and you have to work together, but it’s much more about building trust and improving communication. This might be a lot more tempting than some other team sports like football or rugby.
Winter cycling is very enjoyable – with the right gear
You might be reluctant to start any sport that has you spending a lot of time outdoors at this time of year, but cycling can be beautiful in the winter. Provided you have the right gear, you’ll stay warm, dry and safe.
It can be an ideal way to make the most of limited daylight hours. And as the weather starts to warm up in spring, you’ll be even more keen to spend time in the saddle. For those really rotten days when the rain is coming down sideways and the wind would knock you off your bike, there’s always indoor spin classes to keep your fitness levels up.
Huge sense of achievement
If you’ve already travelled between London and Brighton on the train, you’ll know that it’s a significant distance. Crossing this distance on a bike will therefore leave you with an incredible sense of achievement.
This cycle challenge manages to toe the line between giving you a strong sense of achievement while also being achievable and manageable. There’s very little risk that you could attempt the distance and fail, so you don’t have to worry about harming your confidence.
Start the year with an altruistic streak
Doing good for others is one of the best ways to improve your sense of wellbeing in the world. The point of a long distance cycle is not only to challenge yourself, but also to raise money for charity.
If you’re competing with your workplace team, they are likely to have selected a charity and will be supporting your fundraising goals through company-led initiatives. This can help you to raise more money than you could have ever managed by yourself, which further adds to the sense of achievement.
It’s a great chance to enjoy the scenery
The race takes place in September, so there is a very good chance you’ll get to enjoy some stunning weather for your ride. You’ll get to enjoy simple pleasures like riding in central London without worrying about traffic, and taking in the scenic countryside as you travel the distance between London and Brighton. And when you arrive, you’ll be at the beautiful Brighton seafront, ready to enjoy the seaside. It’s a unique experience that would be difficult to achieve without the support of an organised cycle challenge.
Final thoughts
If you’re ready to challenge yourself in 2026, consider signing up for the London to Brighton Cycle challenge. Past participants have found the experience to be truly transformative, not only in their fitness levels, but also in their social connections and altruistic endeavours.
It can boost your confidence in many ways, as self-esteem is built by setting yourself a challenge and then following through. With plenty of time left to train, you don’t have to worry about your current fitness levels. With the right training plan and a little bit of determination, you’ll be well on your way to success.
