London-Edinburgh-London 2013: The thread

[Scilly Suffolk]

With regards to lighting, £100 is ample if you steer clear of the big brands: have a read of this blog, he is well informed about both lights and batteries.

More generally, you should sign-up with both the CTC and YACF, as well as here: both have strong touring/Audax contingents and offer a wealth of advice on all matters related to long distance cycling.

I can also recommend The Long Distance Cyclists' Handbook by Simon Doughty: it covers, the bike, clothing, nutrition and also has training plans; I'm following the 600km plan this year and will be using the 1,000km one in the lead up to LEL.

 

[thojj]

Many thanks for your advice Scilly Suffolk.
I look forward to joining both forums mentioned as I am a firm believer in never having too much advice in all matters cycling.Sadly the book is out of my bike budget this month @ £30:00 but has been added to next months.
With referance to the LEL,after todays 204 km ride in the wind,I feel I am about half way there.My target is 4 sections of 350 km with a 4 hour eat,clean,sleep break in between...
I just need to improve my training to get back from Edingburgh now....

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

...Sadly the book is out of my bike budget this month @ £30:00 but has been added to next months...

£30! I didn't look at the price when I posted the link: I certainly didn't pay £30.

Does £10.87 sound a little more palatable?

 

[thojj]

It most certainly does thank you ...
Dam you Amazon and your crazy prices

 

[thojj]

£30! I didn't look at the price when I posted the link: I certainly didn't pay £30.

Does £10.87 sound a little more palatable?

Book ordered this very morning!

 

[Bikerchick]

Im all up for doing it. What book are you talking about. Maybe if we all start doing a sun dance we may be lucky!!

 

[thojj]

p.s.I have just ordered this book:-Barring Mechanicals - From London to Edinburgh and back, on a recumbent bicycle.
All other advice will be most welcome.

Got this through the post this morning and sat down and read it in a 2 hour reading.Very Inspiring and has finalised any lingering doubt I may have had about taking part in the L.E.L. 2012

 

[alans]

you'll have to wait untill 2013

 

[thojj]

you'll have to wait untill 2013

oooooooooooooops!

 

[martint235]

Got this through the post this morning and sat down and read it in a 2 hour reading.Very Inspiring and has finalised any lingering doubt I may have had about taking part in the L.E.L. 2012

In case you missed them in the book, Andy the author (arallsopp), Rimas and various other people who pop up are members of this here parish.

 

[GerryPHX]

Well, progress continues. I've completed the SR series with the finish of a 600k last weekend in Utah. The temps were hot (mid-90's) during the day and cold at night (low 50's). We weren't fast but we did manage a couple hours' sleep. Overall, I felt very good with our finish at 38 hours and could have gone much further if I had to but, I didn't have too so we called it a day at the end of the 600k.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

well done, weathers a bit iffy in the uk at the moment and i've only managed a few 200km's, will be doing a few 300km's in july whatever the weather.

 

[Cush]

Can not now do the LDWA annual 100 mile walk due to dodge knee, I will be on the home run to 70 next year when the LEL takes place, but what is the distance in miles and what distances are we expected to complete per day, and what bikes would we be expected to ride, having just spent (for me) a fortune on a Dawes Nomad another new bike would = divorce,

 

[London Edinburgh London]

Hi Cush

It's a shade under 900 miles. You'll have to ride a minimum of 288km every 24 hours, which is just under 180 miles.

You can ride whatever bike you choose. Racers, tourers, mountain bikes, recumbents, tandems, it's all good.

 

[Cush]

Hm, this needs some thinking about, I want some think to celebrate the 70th with but I havent done much riding this year due to very personal commitments, though I have rode 112 miles in 12 hours a couple of year ago. I think another 100 plus mile ride is on the cards before I start serious planning and training.