London-Edinburgh-London 2013: The thread

[400bhp]

?

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

?

When you break it down like that, into 175 miles a day... for five days on the trot, it sounds like an awful lot!

 

[mcshroom]

It would be a bit like touring, the first 5 days would be bad, then you'll nget into the swing of it

 

[Nuncio]

It would be unlikely to be a 5 am start - more likely a staggerred start from about 8am onwards, maybe with afternoon options as well. That was what was offered for 2009. The organizers seem ahead of the game this time, and have already taken measures to relieve some of the bunch points for sleeps. Last time the weather (so bad at one point that at Eskadalemuir on the return riders were strongly advised not to leave, for their own safety) and the timing (outbound and return riders meeting) meant that some of the northern controls were overwhelmed. 2013 will involve a loop in Scotland rather than an 'out-and-back'. The amount of sleep you get and your ability to meet timings for hotel bookings obviously depends on your speed.

Last time my sleep stop times were something like 12:30am-5 (Thorne), 12-5 (Eskdalemuir), 23:00-4:30 (Alston) and 21:30-5:00 (at my Mum's between Thorne and Lincoln) - though not all that time was sleep. I'm not fast enough to have the confidence of hotel booking beyond the first night, and even then wouldn't bother. I don't seem to have a problem sleeping on a floor after 300km+ of cycling. Earplugs and eyemask help, though.

 

[PpPete]

- from upthread:

Event start will be between 07:30 and 10:15 on Sunday 28 July 2013, with riders departing in groups ever 15 minutes, subject to police agreement.

Also, I believe controls are at schools this time rather than village halls - so more space available.

I expect that most people will want to go as far as possible on the first day - Pocklington and Thirsk being likely targets, but if I can get a start time closer to 10:15 and subject to bagdrop location fitting in, my initial thinking is to sleep at Market Rasen and Brampton on both outward and homeward legs, which gives legs of 248km-303km-304km-303km-268km

 

[DanialW]

- from upthread:



Also, I believe controls are at schools this time rather than village halls - so more space available.

I expect that most people will want to go as far as possible on the first day - Pocklington and Thirsk being likely targets, but if I can get a start time closer to 10:15 and subject to bagdrop location fitting in, my initial thinking is to sleep at Market Rasen and Brampton on both outward and homeward legs, which gives legs of 248km-303km-304km-303km-268km

There is also likely to be an optional 6am start from central London, probably Buckingham Palace, to Loughton to join the rest of the riders.

We've booked mostly secondary schools for controls, so there'll be plenty of sleeping space and bedding. However these are likely to be big halls, so you'd be well advised to pack earplugs.

If you're the sort of person who cannot sleep in a communal space, then it's best to make your own arrangements along the route. Beware though, the weather among other things can lay waste to the best of plans.

 

[Greenbank]

We've booked mostly secondary schools for controls, so there'll be plenty of sleeping space and bedding. However these are likely to be big halls, so you'd be well advised to pack earplugs.

As I suggested to you during PBP, don't leave earplugs up to the riders (unless they have special requirements). At the check-in for each sleep area have a big box of earplugs and offer them to riders before they are led to their bed/mat/floor-space.

Luckily I remembered both times to dig out my earplugs from my bag before going to sleep at Loudeac on PBP but I know a few people that were tired enough to forget, and suffered horribly as they couldn't sleep properly and were too tired to get up to go find them.

 

[DanialW]

As I suggested to you during PBP, don't leave earplugs up to the riders (unless they have special requirements). At the check-in for each sleep area have a big box of earplugs and offer them to riders before they are led to their bed/mat/floor-space.

Luckily I remembered both times to dig out my earplugs from my bag before going to sleep at Loudeac on PBP but I know a few people that were tired enough to forget, and suffered horribly as they couldn't sleep properly and were too tired to get up to go find them.

This is a great idea. I'd clean forgotten it too. I will try to remember to do it. I was thinking about dormitories today, and the equipment you'd need.

 

[mcshroom]

This is a great idea. I'd clean forgotten it too. I will try to remember to do it. I was thinking about dormitories today, and the equipment you'd need.

I'd have thought roof, radiator, floor and you'd just about covered it

 

[martint235]

I'd have thought roof, radiator, floor and you'd just about covered it

Walls. Walls would be good.

 

[Flying Dodo]

848 miles in 5 days?

That's do-able. It would be OK if it was sunny and warm.

[sub](looks at LEL website)[/sub]

Oh, it goes to Scotland. It'll be raining then.

 

[mcshroom]

Walls. Walls would be good.

Now you're looking for luxuries - you'll be wanting a bed next

 

[middleagecyclist]

Haven't read whole thread yet. Who do I contact for the book I read about?

Found it.

Ordered it.

Received it.

 

[PalmerSperry]

Haven't read whole thread yet. Who do I contact for the book I read about?

Found it.

Ordered it.

Received it.

I'm wondering if your next update will be "Read it! You're all nuts, I'm out!" or "Read it! I'm in!"???

 

[middleagecyclist]

I'm wondering if your next update will be "Read it! You're all nuts, I'm out!" or "Read it! I'm in!"???

Will be able to tell you in 40 pages!