- Do I need mudguards (fenders) on my bicycle?
- What will the weather be like at the end of July?
- How can I get an entry form?
- What do I need to do to qualify for LEL?
- Is there sleeping accommodation on the route?
- Is the route sign-posted?
- Where can I stay before the start?
- Is there car parking at the start?
- How can I get to the start? Maps
Do I need mudguards (fenders) on my bicycle?
No. Audax UK changed its rules on mudguards in 2000 and you do not need to have mudguards on your bike (or trike, tandem, recumbent, kick-scooter or other ‘vehicle propelled solely by human muscular effort’). See also weather question below.
What will the weather be like at the end of July?
This is mid-summer but don’t rely on hot sunshine. Britain has a maritime climate and we can have rain at any time of the year - so you may appreciate mudguards on your bike. Expect daytime temperatures of around 20-25°C (68-77°F) and nighttime temperatures of about 10°C (50°F) - although in the hills of the north it can get very cold at night and even at the end of July temperatures can drop as low as 5°C (41°F). You are advised to carry gloves and tights or leg-warmers. But, you never know, we may have glorious weather. In which case, you’d be advised to wear plenty of sunscreen and keep up your fluid intake.
For more information see:
www.weather.co.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/weather
www.met-office.gov.uk
How can I get an entry form?
Entry Form (Acrobat .pdf file)
NB this event is full - closed to entries after 20th December.
Please apply to Melita Luxton, 14 Methley Terrace, Leeds LS7 3NL
Please make any cheques payable to LEL 2009 Ltd
Please send a stamped addressed envelope (or postal reply coupon if outside the UK).
Back to Top
What do I need to do to qualify for LEL?
There are no rules on qualifying rides for LEL. However, 1400k is a long way and all entrants are advised to prepare themselves for the event by riding a number of randonnées beforehand. Here is a suggested ‘training pattern’:
January: 2x 100km events
February: 1x 100km & 1x 200km
March: 2x 200km
April: 1x 300km, 1x 400km
May: 1x200km 1x 600km
June: 2x 200km, 1x600km
July: 1x 200km + LEL 1400km
It is not necessary to ride very long distances every weekend. It is wise to have an easier weekend from time to time, especially in the two weeks before LEL itself. If you follow a plan roughly like this outline, you should manage LEL without any problems.
Back to Top
Is there sleeping accommodation on the route?
Yes, all of the controls will have some form of sleeping accommodation provided. This will vary from beds or camp beds to mattresses and blankets depending on the facilities available but all is free of charge. You are free to sleep elsewhere - such as hotels or B&B places if you prefer - but you will have to pay for this, of course.Is the route sign-posted?
We will have some signs near controls but no, we are not sign-posting the whole route. The route sheet (cue sheet) is very comprehensive. Follow this and you’ll be fine.
Back to Top
Is there car parking at the start?
Yes, there are car parking spaces near to the start but the organisers cannot be responsible for your vehicles or their contents during the event.
Back to Top
How can I get to the start?
By Air:
There are three airports serving London:
Heathrow (west London, approx 50km SW of the start - through central London). See BAA’s website about travelling with your bike into London with your bike:
www.baa.com/main/airports/heathrow/getting_here_frame.html
For those participants flying into Heathrow, AUK member Mark Brooking has volunteered to taxi riders from Heathrow Monday - Thursday before the event. Mark is currently working at Heathrow and lives near the Lee Valley start, so he can ferry a limited number of riders and bikes from the airport to Lee Valley at the end of his working day. Contact markbrooking@t5.co.uk if you would like to take advantage of this offer.
Gatwick (south of London, approx 70k S of the start - through central London). You can take your bike on the Gatwick Express railway service into Central London provided it is boxed or bagged for travel:
www.baa.com/main/airports/gatwick/getting_here_frame.html
Stansted (north east of London, approx 40km NE of the start). This is the easiest airport to use for access to Lee Valley. Take the hourly stopping to Cheshunt and you’re 300m from Lee Valley Youth Hostel
www.baa.com/main/airports/stansted/getting_here_frame.html
By Train
From central London, you need to take a train from Liverpool Street station to Cheshunt.
Please note you may need to have your bicycle packaged to carry it on coach, rail or Underground (tube) services.
Lee Valley YH is approximately 300m from the Cheshunt railway station.
Maps:
London Lee Valley
Area overview
Maps of each control linked from the Controls page