LEL 2025 , London Edinburgh London

LEL 2025
Cycling 1540km from Writtle nr Chelmsford to Edinburgh and back over 5 days.
This edition was cut short due to high winds in Northern England and Scotland.

Mike, very busy. I’ve just arrived for uh registration London Edible London. I’ll tell you about it in a second. But um there it is. Registration. Hi everybody. Do you know your ride number? AG23. Sounds good. AG 23. AG23 over there. Thank you. Very quick. Yeah. Go on. Yeah. Scaler or Darth. I am death personified. What is your number? Ag. You are most welcome to go with the register to start here. Yeah. Ag in about 10 minutes. Brilliant. So just hang around. Yeah, I will. Good luck, kids. Thank you, YouTuber. I might see you hopefully. Yeah, I hope so. Right, we’re going to start the London area London in Riddle, which is near Chelmsford. Got a couple of mates leaving there now. They’re leaving 15 15 minutes before me. Uh it’s now4 to 12. I leave at midday. So, yeah, it’s a long way. 1540 km over the next uh well till Friday 8:00 p.m. I’ve got uh to do it. So, let’s hope we do it. We’re off. Let’s go. [Music] Thank you. I’ve done 100 meters already. First little hill. It’s been a bit lumpy, but this is the first hill that’s come up on the the nice and steady. Hi. You okay? You haven’t got a spare chain in your back pocket, have you? I haven’t unfortunately. I didn’t think so. You not got a chain link? Yeah, we tried. Oh, sorry. Thank you. Thanks very much. Thank you. Well done. Thank you, mate. All right. It’s very busy. Okay. Thank you. Hey mate. Cheers Chris. Cheers. How you doing? I’m all right. Get in there. I’ll walk over actually. It’s very busy. Beautifully paused. Only 30 seconds. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, I’ll go after this one. Okay, cool. Thank you for your help, mate. Thank you. Thank you. Cheers, pal. Thank you for your help. Well done. You’re welcome. You okay? All right. All right. Oh, nice of them. Looks a bit like my garden gate. That one. I uh you okay? Yeah. Okay, fine. about 3 4K from the first controller north. It’s lagging it down. Is it worth stopping? Uh now I have now Everyone’s racing. It’s going to be a soggy launch. Right, bit drenched, but we’re coming into the first control here now. 91 km at Northstone. going north. Thank you, mate. Cheers for that. Yeah. So, we’ll stop here, get something to eat. Um, then crack on. Hi. Thank you very much. Hi, mate. Did you get wet? I’ve been stuck out here that long. It wasn’t going to cave out. I put the waterproof on. Now I’m taking off again. Yeah, I just got caught in that for the last five, six minutes. So, how you getting on? Good. Good. Just having some great crumble. Just about to crack on. How’s the grub? Really good. Really good. How are you, Alex? Right. They’re going to stamp the card hopefully. Brilliant. I’ll look forward to it. AJ G23 Robert, that’s me. Brilliant. Thank you for your help, everyone. Have a good one. Back to the grind. Back to the grind. Right, just uh in the control down there. Um some uh apple crumble and um I can’t remember now. Um oh, wedges and minced beef ragu. Very nice. Right, got the water bottles filled up. Got myself an apple and uh let’s get going. Boston next got drenched. Hopefully it’ll dry out now. Sun’s out. Make the most of this weather cuz I’ve heard it’s going to be bad later. But deal with that when it happens. Onwards. I’ll take a Hey, mate. How’s it going? Yeah. All right. Got you on camera here. Yeah. How you doing? I’m all right. Yeah. Yeah. Pretty quick for me the first section. Oh, fair play to do. Well, even though everybody in my group sort of shot Well, I’m not going to try and hang on with it. Oh, no. Well, I’m not the fastest anyway, but food’s nice, is it? Oh, brilliant. Yeah. Hopefully I’ll see you again. Hopefully see you again. Yeah. See you. Anywhere. Hello. Hi. There it is. My friend for the next week. Thank you. Cheers. Thanks very much. Thank you. Have you restarted your start? If that makes sense. So, it’s logging distance and everything. Oh, well, just follow the other riders. Hello. You know you’re in the lead. Yeah. of of the back route. Yeah. Right. We’re just uh going across the fence. Oh, I think it’s it’s pretty flat that way. We’re on our way to Boston. Um this river right here. Got about um 35 40k to go to Boston. Uh get something to eat there. Probably be dark by the time I get there and uh get dressed up for the night time. I think pipers and all that lava. Anyway, let’s keep going. No loitering. All right. Thank you. Got two red ones, one white one, and one. Thank you. Thanks for your help, mate. So, um, you are you okay for water? Yeah. Yeah, I need water. Yeah. Okay. So, water’s in the canteen. All right. Okay. All right. Thank you for your help. All right. Um, again, right, we’re at Boston. Just have something to eat. I’ve had curry from chicken curry, rice, and potatoes. Keep me going. And, um, couple of pieces of melon, coffee, uh, filling water bottles up. Uh, time to go. Uh, put the IVs on. Next one’s La. It’s about 50k. Um, stop there and then I’m planning on going straight through to Hessle. Uh, well, we’ll have to wait and see. See what happens. All right, signing off from Boston to the night. Climbing into top of here and then we descend to the uh control. Hello. Right, we’re riding La. It’s dark. Right, let’s go in there and get checked in. Uh right, just leaving La. It’s still night time. Onwards to Hessle now. Hull. Um about 50 something kilometers. Anyway, let’s get going. Had a little snooze in there. You can only take with your arms crossed. One of them ones. Just had a quick kip on that bench to get to Hessle and I’m going to have an hour or two. Jesus. Bit of room, mate. Getting up at three. So, uh, basically it’s 25 minutes in the car. Yeah. So, that was that wasn’t too bad, but I managed to get up Yeah. Travel Lodge, get get a nice breakfast and Yeah. That’s good. Dumb measure is usually really expensive cuz it’s um near the airport downstairs. Yeah. But next when I was looking for a hotel, sorry, when I was looking for a hotel, they were all over 200 quid and I thought I’m not paying that. Not for a travel. Yeah. So I paid 80 quid for the travel. And if it got you what you needed, it’s money. Yeah. All right, we’re going over the Humbler. There it is. [Applause] And the controls are still biting expression for you, sir. Oh, yes. How you doing, Mike? I’m all right. Oh, I’m Of course you’re getting recorded. Um, control food. Grab a coffee as you go past. I will do. Uh, beds are here. Yeah, I’m going to have an hour or so cuz I’ve I’ve just had a kip at the side of the road really and that’s it. Uh the uh the event isn’t paused yet for weather, but it’s likely that there will be a pause, right? So, uh I hope it don’t I hope they don’t pause it when I’m 10 km into 100 km stage once when we pause. Hi, didn’t see you there, mate. You won’t be allowed to leave, right? For fear of disqualification. All right. We’re not at that stage yet, but it’s expected. All right. Okay. Fair enough. Bye. Right. On the right. Thank you, folks. Thanks, Mike. Okay. Right. We’re at Molton. Just about to leave. There’s rumors of him maybe shutting it down, so who knows? There’s Mike. Mike. Who’s that? Bob. Right. I’m going to set off now. Now I’ve had a I’ve had a couple of hours kit which I needed. Um I’ve still got time in the bank. So let’s get going. Very night. Have you? How you doing? Are you on camera? Yeah. Waiting. Got the two boss. Storm’s arrived. We’re sheltering from it best we can. It’s bad. I was dry down there and then and then I’m thinking should I put me uh put me jacket on and then as always you put it on too late, don’t you? See these these lads here haven’t had it. I don’t think otherwise they want they stopped. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, that was that was bad. Um, we were just talking about maybe by the time we get to Molton they might hold us there, but we’re not sure. But, um, when the rain comes, oh, it’s it’s bad. And the wind, it’s brightening up now. So, we’re all hiding on behind this edge here. But, I think we’re going to make a move. We’ve got a couple of hills to go and um hopefully we should be all right. This isn’t plaster lightering. That wind. Oh my god. This is mental. Wind’s coming from my left hand side. Oh, dangerous. I’m exposed. I think this is the last hill and then we’re dropping the mountain. 15% it says I’m camping at one point. Right up on the last hill as you can see. Apparently, rumor um they closed the um people who were out of control had to stay out of control from 11 till 3. Um whether they’re going to extend it, but I don’t know. This wind is uh it can be dangerous at points uh blowing you across the road, especially when you go past a gap in the field. And uh I’m a bit exposed there because of this gap here. Um anyway, it’s downhill mol and we’ll find out. Let’s keep pedaling. Whoa. Whoa. Oh, scary. Oh, believe in that. Alter climbing to the control. made it nice and easy for us. I’ve heard stopped. We last we heard it we up to half three but they’ve extended seven. Half seven. Right at the earliest. Yeah. Oh well, we made it. Well done. Right. I’ve arrived at Molton and they’re uh the pause the event um until past 7 tonight minimum. Um the wind is very strong. I don’t know what even what it’s like further north, but um yeah. So, we’re going to get something to eat. Uh bikes falling over all over the place here. So, hook mine on the wooden fence. Um hopefully it should be all right. Let’s go and get something to eat. I presume some people have been here for hours. Well, this this control is a lot busier than normal. Good evening. Right, got a chance breakfast. It was a massive queue earlier, but uh let’s go and find out what it’s like now. This is um Christopher from central Texas. How you going? All right. Speaking to him last night. Both in the same boat, basically. Uh but yeah. There’s not a lot you can do about it, is there? I think we’ve both got the same plan. We’re going to use the route and ride back. Is that where you’re up to? Yes. Yeah. Reverse overnight in Lefield and my mother-in-law’s house. Soft bed, hot shower. Yeah. Uh pizza in Beverly, couple of beers, then on to Boston. Thanks. Right. I’m on the way to Hessle now and then um go from there. Let’s go. It’s a cube for the breakfast. Going to give it a miss. Thank you. Where do you get the water from? For the water. All right. Thank you. Thanks for everything. Cheers. Thanks for everything. Thank you. Bye. Right. I’ve just stopped and have some breakfast. Uh breakfast um is a massive queue, so I didn’t have any. Anyway, everyone’s on the way to Hessle now. on the way back down. So, I presume it’ll be uh packed, more packed than it should be there. Not a lot they can do really. Um yeah, at least they got a bed for the night, so I can’t really argue. Onwards. Made some new friends. These dudes, I don’t know all of them, but that one says he’s That’s Clive. No, it can’t be Clive. Five veta Janice. That’s right. 1438 Janice. They’re all very interested. First hill of the day. Okay. Dent down here yesterday as you are asleep with the wind. Still windy today though, but nothing like yesterday. This is the top. Tixing. Beautiful. Is it open? Is it open? I guess so. I wasn’t inside. I think it’s closed. Everyone’s coming for a brew and they can’t have one. I don’t cuz they weren’t expecting us today. Really? Hope. It’s very windy. Right. I think this is the last uh major hill of the day coming out of Thixenale. That’s where we just come up 14%. Um I don’t know if you can hear it, but the wind’s still very strong up here. It seems to be behind us. For how long? I don’t know. Yeah, this is still strong wind. Definitely. At least the sun’s out. Coming up. No one lightering. Oh yeah. How you doing, K? Yeah. I saw you I saw you leave and I shouted you, but you ignore me. But but I’m used to people doing that to me. So yeah. No, it’s all right. You did ignore me. You didn’t hear me. I’m not deaf. I’m just stupid. Yeah. Oh, you finding it. Well, that’s the last major big climb there, mate. So, yeah, we’re there. Yeah. Say hello to the punters. Hello. Including yourself if you’re going to watch it. Hello. Yeah. Yeah. So, downhill up a bit. Hold. See how we get on the back. But he’s doing it later. What a difference a day makes. This is where I was yesterday with three other lads. Didn’t know him. Um the rain really came well. It’s on the video. Really came down and we had to shelter in London that the side of there for about 10 15 minutes. Uh and then the sun came out again. Well, the wind’s very strong. All that’s to the adventure. Uh met up with Carl. He’s doing all right. I think he lives Chesh Way and yeah, nice lad. Wave at me. Right, let’s get going. Pit stop. Good evening. Hello. Very disappointed. There’s not a decent coffee. Yeah, there’s a shop here somewhere. Somebody’s just told me. Oh, he’s had it there. There’s a coffee machine on it. That’s a bit it. All right. Well, it’s better now, isn’t it? Oh, it’s better than I suppose. Is that a pit stop? Don’t know what this place. What’s this place called? Sorry. Where are we now? Walkington. Walkington. We’re in Walkington. Now we know. It’s got a budgeon anyway. Right. It’s about 10 miles to uh Hessle. No, it’s no point in rushing. Get there. See what happens. See the uh Hummer Bridge over there. So we’re not too far away. It’s always a sneaky hill. Crossing our way into Hull basically. Well, Hessle and um two Irish guys we met talking to him earlier. H one of them’s come off around the downhill section coming into the town. Banged his head. uh doesn’t didn’t know where he was. So, they’re waiting for an ambulance. So, but when I get to control, I’m going to tell him where he was and hopefully they can pick his bike up for him onwards. Right. Um so, notified them here. Apparently, they already knew about the uh two Irish guys. One of them’s had a crash. Anyway, some uh some lunch and then I’ve got to get across the bridge. They’re they’re on about that. They might be closing the bridge. So, uh tuna bake and a bit of salad. It’s all right. The only problem I’ve got is wooden cutlery. I hate it. It’s like it’s like a baby tune on a blanket. I hate it. Take your time here. Just met Kev. Uh he got held at Molton the same as me. What did you reckon to it? Yeah. It’s been fun but hard. Yeah. Hardest ride ever. We’re looking on the bright side. He’s all you can do about it. Right. One of them more. Right. I’ve just been informed that the Humber Bridge may be getting closed. Uh if it’s 50 mph, it’s okay. If it’s 60 mph, dust to close it. So, I’m going to get going cuz this uh this controls basically on the Humb Bridge. Get going and make sure we get across. Otherwise, it’s quite a long diversion. Thanks very much, mate. Okay. Thank you. Just crossing a hump. Uh bikes at an angle getting blown from the right hand side. It’s very windy. If you can hear it, it’s exciting. Stop this. Anyway, go over the other side. At least then I know I’m safe. As in, I’m not going to show you. Oh, getting blown over. It was hard to get off this bridge. That bridge was interesting, wasn’t it? Oh, yeah. Especially coming down the other side of it. Yeah. Yeah. I’m I’m I’m sluming it. Plenty of time to get clean at the end. Yeah, we’re basically saying we’ve had the same kit on since Sunday. Yeah. And uh Kev, he’s got a clean pair of socks on though, so pure pure luxury. I’ve got the same pair on. They’re riding for you now. Yeah, I know. Yeah. We’re getting blown up a hill. Would you believe? Is this the first tailwind, C? I reckon it is. I think it is. Yeah, we’re actually getting blown up a hill. Amazing. Simple things. Like one of them roads in in Northern Francis. Hey, over ahead. Yazu, I’ve arrived at La. Let’s get something to eat. Then I’m probably going to press on to uh Boston. Then that’ll leave me just short of 200ish tomorrow back to Whittle. There’s no point in I don’t think the bags are going to be back till tomorrow. So there’s no point in getting there tonight and then just hanging around. So um yeah, just making the most of it. You know, is what it is. Uh they’ve canceled it. He was pretty bad out there. Um yeah, just making the most of it. Just been riding with Kev that last stage. He’s over there, Kev. So, uh yeah, I’m going to go in, have something to eat. Um not a rush stop, and um set off for uh Boston, which is about 60kish, I think. Anyway, let’s get over. Yep. Thank you. Very kind of you. Food’s all right here. Chili and rice. Very nice. Right, leaving. Few people still arriving. Come from further north than me to be fair today. This is what it looks like. Right, just climbing out of La on our way to Boston. 50 something kilometers. Um, see what the situation is with the beds there because it’ll be dark by the time we get there and then wait up from there basically. So onwards. Yeah. Where you going to tonight then? Boston. Yeah. I sort of if it if it um if it’s rammed I want something to eat. The food there was nice. I got there 800. Yeah. Well, I got there and all I had all they had left for me to have was two rounds of toaster. Yeah, I heard that. I heard they run out of food. Oh, right. I thought you said you’d heard about me having two rounds of toaster. I thought it made an evening. Boston’s not too far. Yeah. Got space over here. All right. Brilliant. Is that bad? Is it? Uh, yeah. All right. Tonight’s menu, chicken curry, bomb potatoes, rice. Can’t give it that. This chap here said he’s going to try and get find me a bed. Let’s hope it’s successful. I know. Look, he found me. Oh god. He’s He’s already He’s already took a video of me. So, uh How you finding it, Mr. Mr. Jennings? Brilliant. Yeah. Loved it. Yeah. You’ve been having a good time, haven’t you? Damian thought it would have been better if it won’t be you, though. He did say that to be he wouldn’t he wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t No, I know he wouldn’t. I’ve been I’ve been towing him for years. No, you were the hammer this morning and I’ve been in the hammer this afternoon. Yeah. Pushing on. Yeah. It’s been brilliant. I’ve enjoyed it. Been a half a minute. Right. Until we bumped into you. It’s two two is okay. Thank you. Yeah. Um and you’re happy with it too. also uh again. Thank you. Thanks again. Leaving Boston, right, we’re on our way to Riddle. This is the last day hopefully. Well, it will be hopefully. Um just leaving Boston. Well, I’m on the outskirts of Boston now. Uh got there I don’t know what time. 10:00ish nighttime. Trying to get a bed. couldn’t get a bed, had something to eat. Food was nice, curry. And then um you know, got ready for the night. Tried to get well, like I say, try to get a bed, come get one. Then bumped into um Paul and Damian aka Sad I saw, chatting to them for a bit, and uh had a good laugh actually. And um he offered me a room. They got a Airbnb up the road. He offered me some space in it, but I said I was going to stick it out. But thanks very much. Really appreciate it. And uh anyway, had a good time really. Even though it’s over, it’s been it’s been good. Don’t worry. I just I was just turning the camera on to say I’m on the fence and then I’ve just got you on camera. How you getting on? Not too bad. been tough in spells, but would say reasonable time. Yeah. Well, if even if I rush, I’m going to get there tonight, arena. So, and I’m and if I go, I’m going to get there tonight. So, Heat. [Applause] Heat. All right, this is Northto. It’s about 90k to the end. Um 50 to the next control, then 40. And hopefully I’m going to try and do it tonight. Get it over with. Um not that in a get it over with in a bad way. Just get to the end. Let’s see what happens. Met a few people. Food was nice. Cambridge. Pretty nice. A lot of people knocking about just stopped at the side of the road to uh you know lads somewhere John. Yeah. Say hello. Hey, I’m doing this section with these pair. Interesting. Very nice. It’s a little bit like mine, but not quite. Haven’t got as many turrets. Just stopped to a M scene. We got about uh 15k to the control. Hennon, we think it’s called. Not too sure. Off in the wrong order. Yeah. Number one was behind two and three. Another one here now. Time trial going on. Yeah. All right. Right. It’s the last leg. Uh Riddle next. I think it’s about 25 mile somewhere. But anyway, we’ll get you back. Might not be able to film a lot cuz it’s going dark. Guess where we are. Come for a pint on the last leg. Eric. We just seen a cyclist go around the corner and his like head. What happened? Sorry Harry over a badger. He ran out right and luckily I kept it up right. Went there’s a big ditch in Oh yeah over there. You stay You stayed on the bike then. No brought me my bike. I went home. Yeah. No, you went you went down down the ditch. If you can see me. We’ve arrived. Let’s go and log in. Hey, do you receive either of us in the middle? You’re dropping. Thank you, Robert. How are you? I’m all right. He makes us hit a badger. So, and went in a ditch, so he’s quite lucky. Was it the same? The second person who’s hit a badger or No, no, Siri. Yeah, Terry. I was with him. Was it the same one? Yeah. Has it just been telling me about it? Half an hour ago. No, not half an hour ago. Oh, there’s there’s an army of badgers. There’s an army of badgers out there. I’m just going to attempt. You’re welcome. Okay. Thanks very Thanks for your help and everything. Right. We finished uh back in Riddle after the uh little adventure. Um with a storm mixed into the middle of it. Um as you as you seen, it got split up. It got shut. Uh but it’s been it’s still been okay. He um enjoyed uh the ride, the route. Um, rode with different people on different days. Met different people on different days. Um, yeah, rode the last section with uh Terry from Bur is God up from my neck of the woods. He a badger. Ended up in a ditch uh on the way back. couldn’t film a lot on the way back because the uh I broke the mount on the GoPro and um because it it would have been good footage really of him going in a ditch cuz cuz he was all right at the end of it. Um yeah, so if you’re thinking of doing this, I’d do it. Uh have a sign up and have a go. Um the other thing is if you’re um if you got a one-legged um flip-flop shop, drive along this route. There’s loads of flip flops on it. Anyway, signing off. No loing.