🤘Designer Dave Reps Defyh8 At BMX Life’s London Santa Cruise 10th Anniversary🤘

Ho-Ho-Holy handlebars, people! The 10th Annual Santa Cruise (hosted by BMX Life) just went down in London, and it was one jolly ride out of red suits, reindeer onesies, and BMX madness! If you’ve never seen 800 (or was it 1,000?) Santas pedalling together through busy London streets, then put this on your bucket list for next year because it’s a sight to behold.

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? Tires spin, are you wheelieing?

…Designer Dave was on the 14th December 2024, when he – and another 999 Santas – met at Leake Street (aka the Graffiti Tunnel) at the crack of 10:30 a.m. The vibe? Electric, from the get-go. Riders decked in Christmas costumes swapped high-fives as they got ready to cruise through the streets on their BMXs. 

If you’ve ever tried cycling in a Santa beard, you’ll know that’s a skill in itself, but our Designer Dave loves to take things up a level. Star Troopers are Christmassy, right? Here he is putting safety first and protecting his head:

An epic picture of Designer Dave in front of Big Ben in a Storm Trooper helmet with Defyh8 logos all over it and the other BMX riders in the background all wearing Santa suits

After a quick catch up, the giggle of Santas (giggle=collective noun for Santas, right?) set off at 11 a.m. The route covered London’s iconic sights – Big Ben, the Southbank, and Parliament – all twinkling with holiday cheer and the occasional jingle of bike bells. Last stop: Oasis Farm in Waterloo around 4 p.m., just in time to refuel on hot drinks!

What is the Santa Cruise?

The Santa Cruise is more than just BMX riders visiting London for the day; it’s a yearly tradition that BMX Life has been nurturing for a decade. Picture hundreds of BMXers of all ages, dressed in Santa suits, elf costumes and reindeer onesies cycling around London. It’s a day jam-packed with holiday spirit, social connection, and a chance to see the city from a truly unique perspective.

Who Are BMX Life?

BMX Life are a tight-knit community, passionate about bringing people together and giving back. They’ve built a reputation for organising epic ride-outs that encourage everyone—newbies, seasoned pros, adults and kids – to hop on two wheels, have fun, and raise money for a good cause. Their events are known for the vibe: everyone’s welcome, everyone’s riding, and everyone’s spreading good cheer.

Shining a Light on ECHO

The best part? These Santa Cruises (and other BMX Life events) raise money for Evelina Children’s Heart Organisation (ECHO). ECHO supports children and young people with heart conditions receiving treatment at Evelina London Children’s Hospital. The charity also extends help to families and caregivers—offering emotional support, resources, and community connections. In the past 10 years, the Santa Cruise has helped BMX Life raise £180,000+ for ECHO—a jaw-dropping figure that has directly impacted countless families facing tough times.

In other words, when you grab your BMX, don a Santa beard, and jingle your way through London’s streets, you’re helping to light up the lives of children and their families when they need it most. That’s the magic of the Santa Cruise: you’re not just enjoying a festive bike ride; you’re pedalling for a genuinely life-changing cause.

The Santa Cruise Legacy Lives On

After 10 years, you’d think the novelty of dozens upon dozens of Santas on BMX bikes might wear off. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. There’s something about a sea of red-suited riders weaving through London – bells tinkling, horns honking, kids on pavements cheering – that sums up the Christmas spirit. And that’s why it’s getting bigger and bigger every year.

That’s an AMAZING feat for good causes, and over the last decade, BMX Life has raised an astonishing £180,000+ for ECHO, and it’s events like this that remind us all how people can make a difference.

A Quick Pit Stop: Why DefyH8?

If this is your first run-in with DefyH8, here’s the quick rundown: we’re all about turning negativity on its head through creativity that we showcase through our streetwear, books and accessories. We want our designs to spark conversations and spread a message of unity – one design at a time.

Until Next Year…

With another epic Santa Cruise in the books, we’re left with that warm, fuzzy feeling that comes from doing good—and possibly from wearing all those layers! If you missed out, don’t fret—BMX Life has a ton of events lined up (Bunny Hop Ride Out next, just sayin’). In the meantime, keep an eye on all things DefyH8.

So, until next year’s Santa hats come out of storage, keep those tires pumped, your holiday spirit on full blast, and remember that life’s too short for bad vibes.