A 49-year-old Kingston woman with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) pedalled her way to success in the London to Brighton Bike Ride charity event on Sunday.
Jo Barker was one of over 14,000 riders who took on the 54-mile route from Clapham Common to the Brighton seafront on 15 June on behalf of the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to fundraise for lifesaving research.
EDS are a group of rare inherited conditions that affect connective tissue in different ways which include joint hypermobility, easily dislocatable joints and skin that bruises easily.
Barker said: “I was born with the condition and used to ride horses at quite a high level and kayak a lot as well.
“For the last three to four years I have been in a wheelchair.
“But I’m not one of these people who can sit around and do nothing, I wanted to get outside and do some exercise.”
Barker took on the challenge after she began using a handcycle just under a year ago and trained for four months around Richmond Park.
She said: “Fifty-four miles is certainly the furthest I’ve ever cycled, and I must give a shout out to my nephew Callum Barker who rode along with me, I’m not sure I would have made it up Ditchling Beacon without a little nudge from him.
“Despite all the training, you are no way near as strong as your legs.
“It was a struggle for both of us.”
The BHF’s flagship fundraising event has been running for almost half a century and has raised over £1.6million so far this year for ground-breaking research into new treatments and cures for cardiovascular diseases.
The charity are the largest independent funder of cardiovascular research in the UK and provide support for those affected.
Exhausted but not broken, Barker crossed the finishing line with praise for the BHF and celebrated the experience of overcoming the immense challenge.
She said: “The atmosphere throughout was fantastic and the support along the route was a real motivator.
“I’m so proud to have completed it.”
BHF senior events manager Roisin Atkinson said: “Without the dedication of our cyclists and the commitment of fundraisers like Jo, 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.
“It’s truly heartwarming to see Jo join thousands of other riders to take on this challenge to help save and improve lives.”
Other cyclists that have taken part in the event for the BHF include Pippa Middleton (2015), David Seaman (2018), London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan (2022, 2025) and Ellie Downie (2024) .
The London to Brighton Bike Ride 2026 ballot is now open on the BHF’s website.
Featured image courtesy of the British Heart Foundation
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