ThermionicScott 

PBP 2023 didn't happen for me because of a bunch of schedule stuff, and my buddy developed Covid about halfway through and had to drop out about 200 km from the finish. So, being the idiotslong-distance cycling enthusiasts we are, we immediately turned our sights to LEL next. Much longer route, but hey, no language barrier this time!

Anyone else on BF thinking about doing LEL next year? I'm searching through past threads now, but would love to hear experiences and advice from past editions, too!

Polaris OBark

Is this an organized race or ride? Do you have a link for it? I lived in Edinburgh for about 8 months in the mid-1980s, and we have to go to Cambridge at some point soon.

Found the link: https://londonedinburghlondon.com/

ThermionicScott 

Yes, that's it! Sorry, should have included a link in the OP.

downtube42

I'm registered.

LEL 2022 is my only DNF in 14 years of rando. Unfinished business; I'm appropriately intimidated.

https://www.strava.com/activities/7656845409

BTinNYC 

Do I understand this correctly; 5 days to finish 950 miles?

ThermionicScott 

That's correct! Roughly an extra day and 200 miles more "fun" than 1200's like PBP!

unterhausen

Is it 30 more hours than PBP? I was thinking 5 days doesn't sound like much to do an extra 200 miles, but PBP is 6 hours short of 4 days.

ThermionicScott 

Now that I do the math again (it was never my strong suit), I'm getting a 38 hour difference. 128 hours for LEL divides out to 5 and one-third days, PBP is one-fourth of a day short of 4, like you said. So you really get about a day and a half extra for that 200 miles.

downtube42

I went into LEL prepared for cold, rain and wind, based on stories from past events. I brought wool and rain gear. Not a stretch for me, living in the PNW. What happened was a heat wave, beginning with two hot sleepless nights in London before the start. Note to self: get a hotel with a/c in 2025, and expect anything.. I also went in over confident and under prepared. Note to self: train, don't just ride lots. For the last five years if been supplementing real food with malto powder on brevets, but for inexplicably reasons I went malto free. Note to self: don't change fueling, dummy. The first two sleep stops, I couldn't sleep. Not sure what to do about that. The worst thing was saddle sores, which I hopefully have resolved per PBP result.

clasher

I was kind of thinking about trying it, but I need to get my arse in gear this year and try to get a 1000k done, and maybe that 600k/8000m thing too. Sounds like LEL '25 will be more supported, and they're banning support cars too.

Bassmanbob

How often is this event held? PBP is every four years. Is this every four years too?

downtube42

Yes.

unterhausen

It's pretty common for 1200k's (and longer) to be held only every 4 years. That's so you forget how much you hated yourself for riding the last one, a phenomenon known as randonnesia .