LEL 2013 / London - Edinburgh - London Audax

Nah, PBP is 375mi per day. :)

I'm officially bailing. Does anyone know if you can transfer your place to someone else? I'd like to do so if anyone wants it and it's permitted, but I can't see anything about it on the site. (I did email them a couple of days ago to ask but no-one's got back to me yet.)

I met one of the racers (Sean) when he was getting midfoot fitting done at Bike Whisperer. He crashed last year so couldn't do RAI but I think he's good to go this year and looking to use it as a RAAM qualifier. Good luck to 'em all. Mentals..

Was that Seán Ó HIarnáin?

He did well in the first RAI he did and he's a really good guy - he came and helped out on the team I was crewing for a couple of years ago. I'm looking forward to seeing how he does in this and RAAM.

http://www.seanohiarnain.com/

I'm officially bailing. Does anyone know if you can transfer your place to someone else? I'd like to do so if anyone wants it and it's permitted, but I can't see anything about it on the site. (I did email them a couple of days ago to ask but no-one's got back to me yet.)

In case anyone else was wondering - apparently I'm not allowed to transfer my place. Seems a bit of a shame; guess it's because they're short on volunteers.

In case anyone else was wondering - apparently I'm not allowed to transfer my place. Seems a bit of a shame; guess it's because they're short on volunteers.

No, they had a waiting list. But according to a post on yacf, entries are now closed for keeps. The way LEL is being organised the work is divvied up between a load of volunteers and this makes communicating late changes really onerous and error-laden.

looks like you'll just have to ride it TCB.

Not going to happen unfortunately. Questionable fitness aside, my time's been consumed with house nonsense and a particularly unpleasant last few months at work, so I haven't even thought about route planning, and I've got a 1500 mile ride to Munich and back at the beginning of July to plan for.

I'm sure there are worse reasons to drop out, so I'm not too gutted (though a bit annoyed with myself for not letting them know before the cutoff date so someone could use my place). Maybe I'll give it a go in 2017.

LEL stats for those who are interested;

WHO¹S COMING TO LONDON EDINBURGH LONDON?
We have 1093 people on the start list, from 32 countries. Here¹s the breakdown by country. 6% of riders are women, our highest proportion of women riders ever.

United Kingdom
470
Germany
153
France
90
USA
44
Italy
34
Netherlands
27
Japan
26
Poland
26
Ireland
23
Denmark
20
Sweden
20
Canada
19
Spain
19
Switzerland
14
Finland
12
Belgium
11
Greece
11
Australia
9
India
9
Taiwan
8
Slovenia
7
South Africa
7
Austria
6
Brazil
6
Russia
5
Singapore
5
Bulgaria
2
Croatia
2
Norway
2
Uzbekistan
2
Belarus
1
Colombia
1

http://www.seanohiarnain.com/

That's the chap!

Can someone explain to me the concept of tapering?

Obviously the idea is not to start run down, but I dont really want to turn the taps off, have my metabolism wind back and end up getting a cold.

What are the last big (300km plus) events people are doing?

Is the buzzard too much too late?

I'm doing the Buzzard too.

Don't you dare leave me.

Wimbledon tt ftw.

Can someone explain to me the concept of tapering?

Obviously the idea is not to start run down, but I dont really want to turn the taps off, have my metabolism wind back and end up getting a cold.

What are the last big (300km plus) events people are doing?

Is the buzzard too much too late?

Aussies don't taper.

http://audaxriders.blogspot.co.uk/2008/09/taper-how-why.html?m=1

Can someone explainbeforeme the concept of tapering?

Obviously the idea is not to start run down, but I dont really want to turn the taps off, have my metabolism wind back and end up getting a cold.

What are the last big (300km plus) events people are doing?

Is the buzzard too much too late?

Before the 24hr I rode 12hr the Sunday before. Then few rest days then light rides.

All of a sudden I'm tempted to trade in LEL, so's I can use this year's remaining leave to attend a plastering course in Billaricay.

That's a lot of miles pass up, but how useful would it be to be able to plaster?

Dunno.

We'll, people will says you're gonna get plastered, or do a tough ride.

I wonder if that exact dilemma has ever been pondered before in the history of the world?

One day holiday booked. Wife's work days rearranged. Already said no to 5-a-side.

I'll be at the finish (Loughton) to cover Thursday night through to Friday afternoon (which is when the bulk of riders will finish).

Not sure what I'll be doing; it could be: stamping cards, cooking, serving food, guarding bikes (probably in the rain), handing back bag drops, cleaning, or just telling people to HTFU.

LEL is always on the hunt for more volunteers (they've got lots but the more the merrier) if anyone has some spare time and wants to help out. I think Brampton (and possibly Market Rasen) are the main places looking for more help but they'll take extra help anywhere (as others may be able to be redeployed).

Quote the LEL-master on YACF: https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=72491.msg1508654#msg1508654

"We'd be more than happy to pay your petrol or train fare to get to these controls, even if you are in the south of England, Wales or Scotland."

More details and sign up form: http://www.londonedinburghlondon.com/volunteer

I really wish I could help with LEL this year, but I'll be away when it happens. They're still looking for people:

"We are really struggling for help at our Market Rasen and Brampton controls. Without its volunteers, LEL will not be the event you want it to be. Please, please, please consider helping at these controls. Please ask your friends and family if they'd like to be part of this amazing adventure.

We'll pay your transport costs, feed you three slap-up meals a day and in the case of Market Rasen you'll get a proper bed, quite possibly your own room. Drop me a line if you're interested."

go here http://www.londonedinburghlondon.com/volunteer

or https://www.facebook.com/groups/270220425749/?fref=ts

if you want to help.

Please circulate.

It may already have been posted, so just in case.

bumpety bump

this is getting real now.

But I bet you're far more prepared than most (certainly judging by some of the very lovely, but not necessarily super ready people I met in Rutland). Do we know if they're ok for volunteers? Nearly tried to sign my aunty up for the Market Rasen control - but looks like that's a bit out of date.

I'm not prepared and my knees hurt. eeek!

Dunwich was quite hard... lel is going to be....

Garmin question: If you use one, will you record one whole trip or break it down by stop, or 400km or...?

Anyone fancy a beer one evening this week...?

Dunwich was hard because it was an all-night ride right after work, on a Saturday night.

I feel very unprepared despite feeling in form (73kg) and have the most comfortable bike ever to grace my wondrous arse.

My plan is to take the first two days easy, before kicking up the mileages, lesson learnt from pushing it too hard early and paying it later in the night, something like 300k the first two day then 400k until the last day.

I'm having a beer with two other people in Wimbledon tomorrow if you fancy popping round kristian (if Wimbledon isn't too far that is).