RideLondon organiser confirms death of 69-year-old man during 100-mile event

Nigel Buchan-Swanson's wife says "he died doing something he loved"

Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 2013

A 69-year-old man has died following a cardiac arrest during the RideLondon-Surrey 100 sportive.

Nigel Buchan-Swanson suffered a cardiac arrest at around the 56 mile mark, on Ockley Road, near Dorking. He received immediate treatment from fellow riders and medical personnel at the scene.

The father of three and grandfather of six was taking part in the sportive to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, stating on his JustGiving Page that he chose the charity "because continuing research will minimise the impact."

Bunchan-Swanson lived in Chichester, West Sussex. His wife, Deborah, said: “Nigel was a much loved husband, father and grandfather."

"He was a very experienced cyclist and died doing something he loved,” she added.

In a press release circulated on Monday July 30, the organisers passed on their sympathy, commenting: "Everyone involved in Prudential RideLondon would like to express our sincere condolences to Nigel’s family and friends."

"No further details will be released and the family has asked for privacy. The exact cause of death will be established by later medical examination."

In 2017, 67-year-old Maris Ozols died whilst taking on the 46 mile route - also after a cardiac arrest, on Cromwell Road at the 13 mile mark. A donation page set up in his memory raised over £5,000 for the British Heart Foundation. 

The previous year, Richard Chard, 48, suffered a cardiac arrest at the 25 mile mark at Kingston Bridge, passing away later at Kingston Hospital.

The 100-mile sportive, which starts at London's Lee Valley VeloPark and travels into Surrey, via Newlands Corner, Leith Hill and Box Hill, attracted thousands of riders this year, with 26,720 cyclists reaching the finish at The Mall despite almost wet and blustery conditions throughout the day.

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Michelle Arthurs-Brennan

Michelle Arthurs-Brennan is a traditional journalist by trade, having begun her career working for a local newspaper, where highlights included interviewing a very irate Freddie Star (and an even more irate theatre owner), as well as 'the one about the stolen chickens'.


Previous to joining the Cycling Weekly team, Michelle was Editor at Total Women's Cycling. She joined CW as an 'SEO Analyst', but couldn't keep her nose out of journalism and in the spreadsheets, eventually taking on the role of Tech Editor before her latest appointment as Digital Editor. 


Michelle is a road racer who also enjoys track riding and the occasional time trial, though dabbles in off-road riding too (either on a mountain bike, or a 'gravel bike'). She is passionate about supporting grassroots women's racing and founded the women's road race team 1904rt.


Michelle is on maternity leave from July 8 2022, until April 2023.