London–Edinburgh–London ''(LEL)'' is a randonnée bicycle event of approximately 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. 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. It is held every four years, two years after

Paris–Brest–Paris Paris–Brest–Paris (PBP) is a long-distance cycling event. It was originally a 1,200 km () bicycle race from Paris to Brest and back to Paris in 1891. The last time it was run as a race was 1951. The most recent edition of PBP was held on 18� ...

. It is part of the

brevet Brevet may refer to: Military * Brevet (military), higher rank that rewards merit or gallantry, but without higher pay * Brevet d'état-major, a military distinction in France and Belgium awarded to officers passing military staff college * Aircre ...

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 , 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.

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.

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. 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 Davenant Foundation School is a Christian Ecumenical secondary school, founded in 1680, currently in Loughton, Essex, England. History Foundation in Whitechapel In February 1680 the Reverend Ralph Davenant, rector of St Mary's Whitechape ...

in Loughton. The control points/accommodation stops were at: *Great Easton (southbound only) *

St Ivo School St Ivo Academy is an academy secondary school with sixth form in St. Ives, Cambridgeshire. Specialist status In September 2008 St Ivo Academy was designated a Specialist Humanities School. In 2018/2019 St Ivo School joined Astrea Academy Tru ...

in St Ives * Spalding Grammar School * King Edward VI Grammar School in Louth * Pocklington School * Coxwold (optional shelter) *

Thirsk School Thirsk School and Sixth Form College is a secondary school located in Sowerby, a village adjoining Thirsk, North Yorkshire, England. Thirsk School has nearly 1,200 pupils, including about 200 in the sixth form. The headteacher is Emma Lambde ...

* Barnard Castle School * Alston (optional shelter) * William Howard School in Brampton *

Moffat Academy Moffat Academy is a school in Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway Dumfries and Galloway ( sco, Dumfries an Gallowa; gd, Dùn Phrìs is Gall-Ghaidhealaibh) is one of 32 unitary council areas of Scotland and is located in the western Southern Upl ...

(northbound only) * Eskdalemuir (southbound only) *Innerleithen (southbound only) *

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in Edinburgh 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. 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 The Firth of Forth () is the estuary, or firth, of several Scottish rivers including the River Forth. It meets the North Sea with Fife on the north coast and Lothian on the south. Name ''Firth'' is a cognate of ''fjord'', a Norse word meani ...

, and passed through Edinburgh city centre.About LEL 2022 https://londonedinburghlondon.com/about

References

External links

London Edinburgh London official site
Cycling events in the United Kingdom Cycling in England Cycling in Scotland Ultra-distance cycling {{Cycling-stub