London Edinburgh London - 2017
Discussion
Is anyone here taking part?
Despite them increasing the number of places to 1500 it was still significantly oversubscribed. Thankfully I was able to get a place during the second wave of applications - they sold out within minutes.
LEL is a 1400km Audax that takes place every four years, and as you may have guessed goes from London to Edinburgh and back to London. The route out and back is the same, except for a short loop in/out of Edinburgh.
My background is similar to many here I expect. I started riding in 2011, initially mountain biking and touring, before moving over to road bikes and doing a few Sportives. After ticking the sportive box, including tough ones including the Fred Whitton, I did a 7-day stage event called the Schwalbe TransAlp in 2015 with a few club mates. That gave me some indication of what it's like to ride on consecutive days whilst increasingly fatigued, although the stages were typically 60-80 miles, with a lot of climbing, and at a fast pace (for me at least!). LEL will be significantly flatter and I'll be forced to ride at a sedate pace, otherwise I'm going to struggle to do the miles required.
I'll be building up my distances in the next few months, and particularly looking to get some long back to back rides in to see how I cope with riding while fatigued. LEL has a time limit of 116 hours, and I'm looking at close to 200 miles per day for four-and-a-bit days. I did a 150 mile ride on Friday (reasonably flat with 7000ft ascent) which was horrendous - I was unknowingly just picking up a cold, which was in full attack mode the next day! Still, plenty of time to build up, and to experiment with set up and logistics.
Despite them increasing the number of places to 1500 it was still significantly oversubscribed. Thankfully I was able to get a place during the second wave of applications - they sold out within minutes.
LEL is a 1400km Audax that takes place every four years, and as you may have guessed goes from London to Edinburgh and back to London. The route out and back is the same, except for a short loop in/out of Edinburgh.
My background is similar to many here I expect. I started riding in 2011, initially mountain biking and touring, before moving over to road bikes and doing a few Sportives. After ticking the sportive box, including tough ones including the Fred Whitton, I did a 7-day stage event called the Schwalbe TransAlp in 2015 with a few club mates. That gave me some indication of what it's like to ride on consecutive days whilst increasingly fatigued, although the stages were typically 60-80 miles, with a lot of climbing, and at a fast pace (for me at least!). LEL will be significantly flatter and I'll be forced to ride at a sedate pace, otherwise I'm going to struggle to do the miles required.
I'll be building up my distances in the next few months, and particularly looking to get some long back to back rides in to see how I cope with riding while fatigued. LEL has a time limit of 116 hours, and I'm looking at close to 200 miles per day for four-and-a-bit days. I did a 150 mile ride on Friday (reasonably flat with 7000ft ascent) which was horrendous - I was unknowingly just picking up a cold, which was in full attack mode the next day! Still, plenty of time to build up, and to experiment with set up and logistics.
Better late than never - here's my write up of the ride. Caution: it's rather long...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/pdhsczi1xu4ni6p/LEL%20Re...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/pdhsczi1xu4ni6p/LEL%20Re...
I read a fair chunk of the write-up, and I'l be back to read the rest when I'm not trying to do several things at once.
It's a good read, well written, and makes me even less likely to want to have a crack at LEL now. It sounds pretty hardcore.
I've got a question though. (Sorry if it's covered in a bit I haven't yet read). What do you do for power for the GPS devices, lights, phones, etc on such a long ride? Surely there's no hope of charging stuff in the odd hour or two you're at a control? There are far too many riders for that, there must be.
I'm interested from a MTBing point of view, as I have some plans for a few rides in the summer that'll definitely keep me out on the road beyond the endurance of my Garmin battery, so I need a recommendation for something (hopefully not too expensive) that is reliable, simple to use, and can keep a phone, lights, and a Garmin topped up for about 24 hours.
I really envy people like you, and Gruffy, who've done epic rides like this. I just can't afford to, financially or time-wise, as the commitment to training wouldn't fit in with home life. It was hard enough getting the time to complete the Rapha Festive 500, for example, and that's only 500 km over 8 days, so a drop in the ocean compared to a LEL or TCR...
It's a good read, well written, and makes me even less likely to want to have a crack at LEL now. It sounds pretty hardcore.
I've got a question though. (Sorry if it's covered in a bit I haven't yet read). What do you do for power for the GPS devices, lights, phones, etc on such a long ride? Surely there's no hope of charging stuff in the odd hour or two you're at a control? There are far too many riders for that, there must be.
I'm interested from a MTBing point of view, as I have some plans for a few rides in the summer that'll definitely keep me out on the road beyond the endurance of my Garmin battery, so I need a recommendation for something (hopefully not too expensive) that is reliable, simple to use, and can keep a phone, lights, and a Garmin topped up for about 24 hours.
I really envy people like you, and Gruffy, who've done epic rides like this. I just can't afford to, financially or time-wise, as the commitment to training wouldn't fit in with home life. It was hard enough getting the time to complete the Rapha Festive 500, for example, and that's only 500 km over 8 days, so a drop in the ocean compared to a LEL or TCR...
yellowjack said:
I read a fair chunk of the write-up, and I'l be back to read the rest when I'm not trying to do several things at once.
It's a good read, well written, and makes me even less likely to want to have a crack at LEL now. It sounds pretty hardcore.
I've got a question though. (Sorry if it's covered in a bit I haven't yet read). What do you do for power for the GPS devices, lights, phones, etc on such a long ride? Surely there's no hope of charging stuff in the odd hour or two you're at a control? There are far too many riders for that, there must be.
I'm interested from a MTBing point of view, as I have some plans for a few rides in the summer that'll definitely keep me out on the road beyond the endurance of my Garmin battery, so I need a recommendation for something (hopefully not too expensive) that is reliable, simple to use, and can keep a phone, lights, and a Garmin topped up for about 24 hours.
I really envy people like you, and Gruffy, who've done epic rides like this. I just can't afford to, financially or time-wise, as the commitment to training wouldn't fit in with home life. It was hard enough getting the time to complete the Rapha Festive 500, for example, and that's only 500 km over 8 days, so a drop in the ocean compared to a LEL or TCR...
I hope it doesn't put people off - it really was a fantastic experience but I wanted to write an honest account of the ride. With the right physical preparation and more importantly the right attitude then I think it's within everyone's capability.It's a good read, well written, and makes me even less likely to want to have a crack at LEL now. It sounds pretty hardcore.
I've got a question though. (Sorry if it's covered in a bit I haven't yet read). What do you do for power for the GPS devices, lights, phones, etc on such a long ride? Surely there's no hope of charging stuff in the odd hour or two you're at a control? There are far too many riders for that, there must be.
I'm interested from a MTBing point of view, as I have some plans for a few rides in the summer that'll definitely keep me out on the road beyond the endurance of my Garmin battery, so I need a recommendation for something (hopefully not too expensive) that is reliable, simple to use, and can keep a phone, lights, and a Garmin topped up for about 24 hours.
I really envy people like you, and Gruffy, who've done epic rides like this. I just can't afford to, financially or time-wise, as the commitment to training wouldn't fit in with home life. It was hard enough getting the time to complete the Rapha Festive 500, for example, and that's only 500 km over 8 days, so a drop in the ocean compared to a LEL or TCR...
As for power, I get about 16 hours out of my Wahoo BOLT and so only needed to charge once per day - usually during one of my food stops. Lights were charged less often. I carried an Anker battery at all times and had another couple in my 'drop' bags, placed strategically along the route. Most controls in fact had a bank of mains charging points - although they said not to rely on them there always seems to be spare charging points available.
If you're just planning a 1 or 2 day ride then you'd get away with a single battery pack - choose the capacity (and weight!) to suit your charging requirements. I have the following one, which is enough for charging my BOLT and iPhone several times, and probably enough left to charge a decent light too.
https://www.anker.com/uk/products/variant/PowerCor...
Thanks for the link. It's probably a bit more than I'd want to be spending right now, but I've found other Anker products that are more wallet friendly. I had no idea where to start with battery packs/power banks. My son bought a cheap one, but it's not great. But then that's the problem with trying to buy tech on a budget...
yellowjack said:
Thanks for the link. It's probably a bit more than I'd want to be spending right now, but I've found other Anker products that are more wallet friendly. I had no idea where to start with battery packs/power banks. My son bought a cheap one, but it's not great. But then that's the problem with trying to buy tech on a budget...
In my experience Anker are usually better than the really cheap stuff, without being as expensive as the well known brands.YellowJack, I have 4 powerbanks I bought before I went all in for this years trip with a dynamo hub and now use a combination of the 2 for redundancy and long trips.
The first 2 I bought are 500g each! and are lithium ion cells at 20000mah, they hold their charge well, but are slow to charge taking about 13 hours from fully empty to fully charged. They're ok apart from their weight.
The next 2 I bought are 20000mah versions of the link below. They are about 8 hours charge, take a 2 amp input and are 125g each! They don't hold their charge that well as they are lith polymer is their down side. They will charge my USE Exposure Race light about 3 times each with enough left to keep the USE Exposure Joystick useable.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/100000mah-USB-Portable-Ex...
The dynamo I keep for phone, Garmin and ipod as they are all within its capabilities (I haven't tried the lights off the dynamo, yet....)
With the dynamo and 2 lightweight powerbanks, I worked out that I think I'd only have to find a plug every 3 - 4 days.
So for a 2 day trip you'd be ok on a couple of decent powerbanks.
The first 2 I bought are 500g each! and are lithium ion cells at 20000mah, they hold their charge well, but are slow to charge taking about 13 hours from fully empty to fully charged. They're ok apart from their weight.
The next 2 I bought are 20000mah versions of the link below. They are about 8 hours charge, take a 2 amp input and are 125g each! They don't hold their charge that well as they are lith polymer is their down side. They will charge my USE Exposure Race light about 3 times each with enough left to keep the USE Exposure Joystick useable.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/100000mah-USB-Portable-Ex...
The dynamo I keep for phone, Garmin and ipod as they are all within its capabilities (I haven't tried the lights off the dynamo, yet....)
With the dynamo and 2 lightweight powerbanks, I worked out that I think I'd only have to find a plug every 3 - 4 days.
So for a 2 day trip you'd be ok on a couple of decent powerbanks.
Craikeybaby said:
In my experience Anker are usually better than the really cheap stuff, without being as expensive as the well known brands.
I bought a pair of Anker micro usb cables from AnkerDirect on Amazon just before Christmas, splashing out because I was sick of cheaper cables dying on me. One died after about day... probably just one of those things (or my urchins not being careful), their response has been amazing though. They stand by their products and another on is on it's way to me no questions or a return asked for.Celtic Dragon said:
YellowJack, I have 4 powerbanks I bought before I went all in for this years trip with a dynamo hub and now use a combination of the 2 for redundancy and long trips.
The first 2 I bought are 500g each! and are lithium ion cells at 20000mah, they hold their charge well, but are slow to charge taking about 13 hours from fully empty to fully charged. They're ok apart from their weight.
The next 2 I bought are 20000mah versions of the link below. They are about 8 hours charge, take a 2 amp input and are 125g each! They don't hold their charge that well as they are lith polymer is their down side. They will charge my USE Exposure Race light about 3 times each with enough left to keep the USE Exposure Joystick useable.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/100000mah-USB-Portable-Ex...
The dynamo I keep for phone, Garmin and ipod as they are all within its capabilities (I haven't tried the lights off the dynamo, yet....)
With the dynamo and 2 lightweight powerbanks, I worked out that I think I'd only have to find a plug every 3 - 4 days.
So for a 2 day trip you'd be ok on a couple of decent powerbanks.
The first 2 I bought are 500g each! and are lithium ion cells at 20000mah, they hold their charge well, but are slow to charge taking about 13 hours from fully empty to fully charged. They're ok apart from their weight.
The next 2 I bought are 20000mah versions of the link below. They are about 8 hours charge, take a 2 amp input and are 125g each! They don't hold their charge that well as they are lith polymer is their down side. They will charge my USE Exposure Race light about 3 times each with enough left to keep the USE Exposure Joystick useable.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/100000mah-USB-Portable-Ex...
The dynamo I keep for phone, Garmin and ipod as they are all within its capabilities (I haven't tried the lights off the dynamo, yet....)
With the dynamo and 2 lightweight powerbanks, I worked out that I think I'd only have to find a plug every 3 - 4 days.
So for a 2 day trip you'd be ok on a couple of decent powerbanks.
Thanks for the info! I'm not after kit for an epic multi-stage adventure or a LEL just yet, but want to avoid buying rubbish. I'm mainly planning long one-day adventures (but beyond the capacity of my Garmin/lights), and a few camping based multi-day trips. The power bank would be to keep things topped up because I like to camp where there's no access to electric hook-ups. Last year I borrowed a couple of power banks from a friend for the Battle On The Beach race weekend. I'm ashamed to say that I didn't pay attention to what brand they were. This year's race is later in the season so my mate is likely to be using the power banks I borrowed himself this time, and I'd like to get something in place before I find myself stuck on a windswept south Wales beach with no phone, lights or GPS available.
nammynake said:
Better late than never - here's my write up of the ride. Caution: it's rather long...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/pdhsczi1xu4ni6p/LEL%20Re...
I downloaded your LEL report and read it on the train in this morning.....superb write up! Thanks for taking the time to write that, really gave me an insight into the LEL. https://www.dropbox.com/s/pdhsczi1xu4ni6p/LEL%20Re...
Cheers
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