On a beautifully hot day like today it's time to head to the beach -- by bike.

I joined 27,000 other cyclists for the annual London to Brighton bike ride.

The biggest problem wasn't the heat -- it was the congestion. The event is just too big. I've been stuck in plenty of traffic jams but a bike jam caused by thousands of cyclists squeezing up the same country lanes was something new.

Anyone who gets on their bikes and cycles 54 miles should be applauded -- but many of the participants looked as though they were back in the saddle for the first time since they were children. At the sight of the first hillock they dismounted and started pushing -- causing massive tailbacks behind them.

A fun day out -- but probably not one I'd repeat.