LEL 2017 / London - Edinburgh - London Audax

Daniels just posted they have run out of food, with all the food for the Southern bound leg being eaten on the north bound at most of the controls, oops

Sorry to hear Ed. But you seem to have been quite out of time already. Might as well ride back now.

On train.

I'm physically fine, bike also, everything is better than 2013 LEL.

But then I struggle to go forward despite this, even now on the train my body still got a lots of energy and no soreness.

So, what's stopped you?

Think I saw you just outside Bernard castle. What happened?

Double post.

You did, just could not think straight, let just says that I could not get my mind to work with my body.

Went back to Barnard Castle to DNF and rode to Darlington to catch the train back to London.

It took the fastest riders 5h for 100k on the return leg.

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Anco has yet to sleep in forty hours and 900km, boggles my mind

Tales from control....

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Another DNF at Barnard Castle (me, rider S31); first day went like a dream and was ever so slightly ahead of planned schedule of 22km/h for that and then 18km/h on day two (despite the worst three hours 'sleep' in Louth!).

Pain on outside of right knee before Thirsk, first aider suggested ITB issues as matched his symptoms in the past too - pushed on to Barnard Castle after trying to loosen it, but felt worse (getting off and walking wasn't enjoyable). Had a snooze, wasn't any better on waking so have made my decision based on knowing there's 600mi. or so to go and I'd quite like to be able to walk properly once home without having done any real damage.

Got to 770mi. in 2013 before running out of time, failing what was then my first ever audax due to bad decisions/strategy felt worse than this, so I know it's the right choice. I think.

Will volunteer here for a bit to help the wave of returners on their way south. Just need to then work out how to get back home to Dartford...

Good luck everybody else still on the road!

I wasn't even out of time, I was going well gaining time on hands.

Yes me got that wrong.

Long shot, but does anyone in Edinburgh (or someone you know) have a universal rear mech hanger? My boyfriend Tim's (R27) snapped before Moffat, and he's in desperate need. He'll be at the Edinburgh station v soon. Long shot, but all fingers and toes crossed!!!

DNF at Alston here. Kept well to schedule the first 24 hours with a decent buffer of time in hand (even after spending too much time in the Louth bedlam), but started dropping off the pace in the afternoon on the leg to Thirsk as I was finding it hard to focus my attention on the road and the hills were taxing me more than they should. Used up some more of my buffer having a shower and 1.5 hours kip at Thirsk, which made me feel refreshed but also a bit worried that my chest was wheezing a lot when I was lying down. Hoped it was because I forgot to take antihistamines, popped one and headed off to Barnard Castle. Made reasonable time for a chunk of it, but still finding my attention drifting. Music helped a bit, but then settled in with a bloke who was riding a similar pace and chatting helped as well. Until he rode into the side of the road while looking at a combine harvester working at night... spent a while trying to get his bike sorted before carrying on, but as his wheel was rubbing on something we weren't making as good progress, and my light failed about 10-15 minutes ride from BC, which ended up with us taking about 25 mins riding by his light with me navigating.

Got to BC, ate, slept for 3 hours, chest getting worse - wheezing has progressed into coughing up thick gobs of phlegm. Headed out just after daybreak, and really struggled - dawns on me that I'm probably struggling to concentrate because I'm running a temperature and to climb because my lungs are full of liquid. So called it a day at Alston and called in a lift.

Gutted, if I'd managed to keep up the pace I set the first 24 hours I think I could have made it there and back. Also ironic that for all my worries about one of my old ligament injuries flaring up, I got waylaid by a random chest infection. Oh well.

a combine harvester working at night...

They work in the rain now :-/

A friend of mine has found a Garmin etrex in Edinburgh. Hit me up if anyone hears of anyone losing one on LEL.

Well done, great effort, and better luck next time!

Sorry to hear that, Ed, hopefully next time will go better!

Before lunch on Thursday. Slight regret that I'm not on the ride.

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@DarrenFranks really enjoy your twitter! I hope you can find time to have more on your blog later.

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Tim with a snapped rear mech before Moffat, being towed to the nearest town.. I know he got the parts, but I not sure if mechanic was able to fix it or not! But he's back on the road - possibly still riding single speed..

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Hopefully finishing this today. It's been emotional.

Keep it up pal. You were going very strong when I saw you at Moffat, you've made great time if your finishing today.

Dude it really have, shoulder on!