Anyone Following LEL?

[bagpuss]

Re: Re:

Works out at about 165 miles a day, I think, which is tough going for one day, never mind five days!

Why is it that audax people use kilometres? It just isn't proper.[/quote]

Background to events here ,the whys etc...
http://www.aukweb.net/aboutauk/faq/#09

 

[Velodiversity]

i find that when i'm riding those distances km are easier to divide into manageable blocks in my head, and constant conversion keeps me sane as you enter the 13th or 14th hour of riding!

 

[Wheelnut]

Yes, I can see the logic there. It's far easier to travel 10km than 10 miles, especially after a long and tiring ride. And 100k sounds more impressive than 62 miles! Nevertheless, I think I'll stick to imperial, which at least is consistent with what it says on the signposts.

Got to hand it to those long distance boys (and girls) though. To do that sort of mileage must take it out of you mentally as well as physically.

 

[Velodiversity]

Definitely the mental challenge is the hardest on the 600km rides. Never ridden the LEL. Wanted to this year but lacked time to prepare for it.

 

[Jamiedyer]

Kilometres is the metric measurement of distance that is universally used.
It is a unit of measurement more commonly used throughout the world than miles.
Audax runs have always been run as kilometres especially as when they are validated for the international awards, which most British ones are they are done in kilometres.
I have been in this country for a long while now but still use kilometres on all my bike computers, gps etc, it all depends what your used to.

Jamie

DSC_1660 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr

 

[dirttorpedo]

Re:

Luddite? No.
Traditionalist? Yes.
Anti European? No.
Against being ruled by Brussels? Yes.

But these are just my views. Each to his own, as they say, and each person's opinions should be respected, though not necessarily agreed with!

Better stop this now before we enter into a political Brexit debate, and this is not the place for it, so I will say no more.

Back to LEL...

Just having fun with you - definitely don't want to start a political discussion. Funny though - back in the 80's when I lived there I didn't recall having to readjust back to miles.

Yes, I can see the logic there. It's far easier to travel 10km than 10 miles, especially after a long and tiring ride. And 100k sounds more impressive than 62 miles! Nevertheless, I think I'll stick to imperial, which at least is consistent with what it says on the signposts.

Got to hand it to those long distance boys (and girls) though. To do that sort of mileage must take it out of you mentally as well as physically.

Agree on the mental and physical toughness. I was reading one account of a rider in which he described how frequently he broke down into tears during the ride and that when he arrived at Great Easton - 50 km from the finish with 12 hours in hand - he was so shattered physically he didn't think he could make it. Many riders are posting about their aches and pains - particularly numb feet and numb hands. The old hands at Audax tell the less experienced to expect up to 6 months to regain full feeling.

 

[Jamiedyer]

yes, polital debate is best left to the debaters elsewhere, those who do it en mass, ie: mass debaters
For us we are merely having a jovial bit of banter, for regardless of where we are or how we count the distance, we have the common ground of the bicycle that brings us here on this site.
As for those hardy souls doing the LEL, well, such respect and all power to them.
Their is a great film that came out last year and it is on DVD or on demand from vimeo called Brevet. It's a German film following four very different people on Paris-Brest-Paris.
A great film that I can highly recommend, subtitled in English, as well as other options, and with on demand, you get lots of extras added as they become available. There is also a LEL film not long out either.

Jamie

 

[bagpuss]

Re: Re:

Many riders are posting about their aches and pains - particularly numb feet and numb hands. The old hands at Audax tell the less experienced to expect up to 60 months to regain full feeling.
[/quote]

All the reasons why it never rode more than a 600k event .
Remember packing on a 400k ride {2nd one during that year, of my 1st SR series. I had already completed all the other qualifying events . Got to Knaresbough on the Yorkshire dales 400 less than 50k,from the finish.
Totally knackered at about 5.30pm with loads of time left .Other riders tried to get me to finish.I said something like $o* this "its only a bike ride!
Found a room at a pub.
Landlord said to me "You look like you need an ambulance" I replied "no forget that, a hearse would be better
Several beers and a lot food then consumed.
Rang the misses to collect me later that evening from the pub{She had to drive up from Derby} . About 10pm the boss arrived. By then after a bath and sleep I had recovered and still had plenty of time to finish within the time limit.You can guess what she said to that idea. :facepalm:
Car ride to the finish to pick up my gear.
I still have the bervet card with DNF written across its back.
Note all cards have the word "Certified" on the back .....

 

[Velodiversity]

I gave up night riding after waking up while descending Shap Fell at about 2.30am during a 600km event. was so wired by the experience I couldn't sleep at all for the next 14 hours until i'd got home on the train.

 

[bagpuss]

Re:

Something to be said for seeing a sun rise during the night section of a long event.