LEL 2017

[Ming the Merciless]

Very nice, got something similar planned for 2018?

 

[User10119]

*tries to remember if she stamped that one at Barnie*

 

[DCLane]

[QUOTE 5072903, member: 10119"]*tries to remember if she stamped that one at Barnie*[/QUOTE]

Sorry I meant the one done at the end.

Here you go: at Barnard Castle (both ways) I was in dire need of Mauro's help, who was wonderful, and in a green Ravensthorpe CC jersey all the time (not the same one ). At Loughton back I came in hot ...

Thirsk south was the embarrassing one ... where I returned 30 minutes after setting out around 12:15pm Wednesday with a VERY ripped pair of shorts after a wall / wagon incident

 

[User10119]

I got you both ways! I thought I possibly had.

 

[DCLane]

Very nice, got something similar planned for 2018?

Unfortunately not - I'm recovering from an operation so 2018's about recovery and if all goes well a 200/300/400/600km Super Randonneur as pre-qualification for PBP in 2019. The only 'nice' bit is that my 13yo is likely to be on some of these.

 

[DCLane]

[QUOTE 5073089, member: 10119"]I got you both ways! I thought I possibly had.[/QUOTE]

In 1500 riders you remembered the green-and-white jersey'd wierdo

Or possibly smelt me coming, since my planned shower and change-of-clothes northbound was at Brampton and south-bound at Thirsk

And I at the end

Good stuff.

Thank you both for your help. My intention is to volunteer in 2021, rather than ride.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

PBP pre qual you do not need a SR. Longest BRM distance in 2018 determines how early you can enter in 2019. You will need the BRM SR qualification series in 2019.

 

[DCLane]

PBP pre qual you do not need a SR. Longest BRM distance in 2018 determines how early you can enter in 2019. You will need the BRM SR qualification series in 2019.

True. But the BRM 600km should get me earliest entry in 2019: my plan's to get into one of the early 90-hour groups rather than in with the vedettes as I was in 2015.

 

[iLB]

True. But the BRM 600km should get me earliest entry in 2019: my plan's to get into one of the early 90-hour groups rather than in with the vedettes as I was in 2015.

Vedettes ?

 

[DCLane]

Vedettes ?

Vedettes are the faster riders, who have an 80 hour ride limit.
Randonneurs are everyone else, who have a 90 hour ride limit.
There's also the speciales for other things like tandems, trikes and velomobiles who have an 84 hour limit plus a few later riders who choose this.

The idea is that the riders get a bit stretched out to help controls with the front end going a lot quicker. In my group, lots quicker, as they tried to catch the front riders who set off up to 45 minutes earlier.

 

[Always Cross]

Out of interest can anyone tell me how old the oldest finisher was. I’m 57 now thought of volunteering 2021 and maybe having a go in 2025 at 65 would that be too old? Got to keep dreams alive don’t you.

 

[Ajax Bay]

would that be too old?

Too old for what?
I do not recall mention of the age of the oldest finisher (on either facebook or the other place) but I'd expect it to be at least 72 (NB guess, but very slightly informed on seeing most of the riders queuing (on Saturday)for us to give them the clothing/mugs they ordered and generally around at Loughton from 8am Saturday to 1145 Sunday (V start group) and then again from last light Thursday till sunset on Friday.)

 

[arallsopp]

"Too old" is probably not the biggest problem. "Too far" ... Now that's the big one.

Got to say, I suspect "Too fast" is the real killer. Assuming the rider is well prepared and the bike holds together (with an option to substitute either/both of these for fortune, doggedness and the luck of the naïve) there probably isn't an upper limit on age or distance. Volunteering in 2021 will give you a great insight as to how this challenge impacts on the mind/body, and might afford you a chance to work out how you'd fair. Depending on your whereabouts, you could ride to/from the control, or even escort a lanterne rouge over the final legs.

If I had to back a rider, I'd put my bets on a 65 year old who is well prepared, informed, and committed to a manageable pace. That's in comparison to, say, a 34 year old with half a year's training, no prior audaxes, and a bike that falls apart, or, ahem, that self same smiling idiot, aged 42, with an overly ambitious pace and a whopping 3 audaxes under his belt.

Its 4 now, of course

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Out of interest can anyone tell me how old the oldest finisher was. I’m 57 now thought of volunteering 2021 and maybe having a go in 2025 at 65 would that be too old? Got to keep dreams alive don’t you.

You would be fine at 65. Just keep the fitness going and prepare well.

 

[iZaP]

Out of interest can anyone tell me how old the oldest finisher was. I’m 57 now thought of volunteering 2021 and maybe having a go in 2025 at 65 would that be too old? Got to keep dreams alive don’t you.

One if the I guys I rode with in LEL was at least 70 years old, he has ridden 5 or 6 PBPs and this was his 5th or 6th LEL as well!