London-Edinburgh-London 2013: The thread

[frank9755]

Yes, I enjoyed reading it, too. I handn't realised that you'd gone into it without having ridden very much at all in the previous few months.
It was a good photo!

 

[velovoice]

Fantastic read, Martin - well done! On both the Riding and the Writing.

 

[middleagecyclist]

I have been in touch with Danial who has very kindly given me permission to use the LEL logo to make up some stickers. I am not planning on getting many produced and will sell them at cost + P&P. They will be vinyl stickers suitable for attaching to frames/guards and shouldn't wrinkle at the first sign of water. I now need an idea of how many people would want a sticker or two so i can work out costs.

Cheers.

 

[martint235]

Great idea. I was going to get a tattoo, sticker sounds better. Put me down for a couple. I assume we're talking couple of cms square ish.

 

[middleagecyclist]

I assume we're talking couple of cms square ish.

Yes. Exact size to be sorted yet but i envisage similar to an Audax UK sticker.

 

[ianrauk]

Martin, the first time you have a shower I'm afraid the sticker will fall off.

He can stick one behind each of his lug 'oles.

 

[middleagecyclist]

Here's a first mock up. A round sticker on a blue background.

 

[middleagecyclist]

Some discusion on the LEL facebook group about the sticker design. I'm not planning on repeating the discussion there, here and the other place, so if you want some input pop on over.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/270220425749/

 

[jefmcg]

The tracking says that Jefmcg dropped out at 0238 but then checked in at Pocklington at 0612 and I've seen her post on the LEL FB page. I don't want to pester her by text to check if she's ok in case she isn't or is sleeping.

Thanks for watching out for me, ABV

If anyone is interested, I indeed abandoned at Pocklington (after much semi-official nagging to do so at Thirsk) because I was exhausted and having real trouble staying awake but felt I didn't have time to sleep. After 3 or so blissful hours kipping on carpet, I awakened to find there were still 40 riders on the road, with hopes of finishing. I realised it wasn't over for me yet, either, and unabandoned and headed off, with a plan to do 300km faster than I ever had before. Strangely, this plan didn't work out 25km away I got a facebook email saying Market Rasen was closing. At my current pace, that was about 2 hours, so I stopped under a tree, called my father like I do every day and lay under a tree for a while. The pootled on to Market Rasen where I'd just missed a train. So sat in a cafe and hard ham, eggs and chips and pint of worthington's, then caught a train home.

The ride was a fantastic experience, but - omg - 1420km is a long way. So is 1165km, which is how far I got.

 

[stevevw]

Joan
You got further than me, well done. I see John was out of time too, shame when you both left Edinburgh I was confident with a bit of luck and your resolve you would both made it. How did Stacey get on?

All three of us have something to prove in 4 years time. I am having a year off of stupid long rides then will be back with a five year plan to conquer LEL 2017 then PBP 2019

 

[jefmcg]

Thanks Steve,

I saw John in Pocklington, before I collapsed. I know he cycled the distance, but was out of time. Stacey and I split between Brampton and Barnard's Castle. I was faster on the road, but needed more rest, so we slowed it other up. She made it further than I did, but not all the way.

Steve, you were a hero on that ride, including the brave decision to stop. Glad to hear you'll be back.

I'm doing a 600km in September, and (hopefully) PBP in 2015 - with enough training to be ready, hopefully. We'll see, I've only been on the bike once since LEL - not even commuting.

 

[Trickedem]

Finally got round to writing up my memories of my ride.
http://cyclingmagic.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1

 

[velovoice]

Marvellous read, Tim. Makes me wish LEL was within my grasp but realistically a snowball has a better chance in hell so will continue to live vicariously through accounts like yours, both Martins and of course Mr Allsopp' s. Chapeau to you all!

 

[martint235]

According to someone who has worked this out, I finished 306th which I'm incredibly chuffed with. At one point (Traquair) I was 190th!

 

[middleagecyclist]

Here is the sticker design I have decided on. It is made of vinyl with a gloss laminated finish and is 3cm in diameter. I should have them in a week or so and will post some pics of an actual sticker in situ. I'll then let you know how to order and pay.