London–Edinburgh–London

London–Edinburgh–London (LEL) is a randonnée bicycle event of approximately 1,500 kilometres (930 mi) over an out-and-back course between the capital cities of London (England) and Edinburgh (Scotland). It has been described as a contender for hardest cycling event in the United Kingdom.[1]

London–Edinburgh–London
Race details
RegionUnited Kingdom
Nickname(s)LEL
TypeEndurance Brevet Cycling Event
OrganiserAudax UK
History
First edition1989 (1989)
Editions9 (as of 2022)
Randonneurs cycle through Cambridge on London-Edinburgh-London 2022

The event has been held every four years since 1989, with the ninth event starting on 7 August 2022.

Description and history

LEL is the flagship event of Audax UK.[2] It is held every four years, two years after Paris–Brest–Paris. It is part of the brevet series and is a noncompetitive endurance bicycle event.

1989 to 2001

The first LEL was in 1989, when there were 29 starters and 26 finishers, all British. For that inaugural ride, the distance was 1,300 km (810 mi), and the route included a stretch of the A68 road. Finishers of that original event are sometimes referred to as the A68 Club. The inaugural ride did not start in London, but in Doncaster, the home town of the organiser. Riders headed first north to Edinburgh and back, then south to London and back.

2005

For the fifth edition in 2005, there were 306 starters and 246 finishers, from the UK, mainland Europe, and other countries including Japan, Russia, Australia, the USA, and Canada. Riders set out from Cheshunt, on the northern outskirts of London, or from Thorne, close to the original Doncaster start.

The 2005 route was just over 1360km long and arrived in Edinburgh via The Granites. [3]

2009

31 nations took part in the 2009 ride, which started and ended at Cheshunt.

2013

The 2013 edition was held between 28 July and 2 August and 34 nations took part. In a departure from previous editions, the route took a loop through Scotland, and for the first time passed over the Humber Bridge.

805 riders finished the event in 2013.[4]

2017
Brampton control at night, LEL 2017.

The 2017 edition took place between 30 July and 4 August 2017, attracting 1600 entrants from 55 nations. 810 of these finished in time.[5] The 2017 route was 1441km long and had 11,128m of climbing. The time allowance was 117 hours 05 minutes, or 100 hours for those riders who choose it.

The ride started and ended at Davenant Foundation School in Loughton. The control points/accommodation stops were at:

All other controls were used in both directions.

2022

The 2021 event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and as a result took place between 7 and 12 August 2022.[8] The route was extended to 1540km, with a time allowance of 128 hours and 20 minutes for the main group and 100 hours for the first group. The route extended out to Dunfermline so included a crossing of the Firth of Forth, and passed through Edinburgh city centre.[9]

References
  1. Tony Farrelly (22 April 2009). "London-Edinburgh-London: Britain's toughest bike ride needs your help!". road.cc.
  2. 2005 Route https://www.bikemap.net/en/r/13850/
  3. Audax UK http://www.aukweb.net/results/archive/2013/listevent/?Ride=13-1
  4. Audax UK http://www.aukweb.net/results/archive/2017/listevent/?Ride=17-1
  5. Spalding Today, http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news/tuesday-talk-tale-of-two-cities-told-on-two-wheels-1-8096486
  6. DnG24, http://www.dng24.co.uk/major-cycle-race-will-pass-through-region/
  7. LEL 2022 https://londonedinburghlondon.com
  8. About LEL 2022 https://londonedinburghlondon.com/about

Further reading


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