Photo: Registration opened at 05:15

For the second weekend in a row the alarm went off at stupid o’clock.

Last week it was Oasts and Coasts 300km. Just like last week, an hours drive to and fro. Unlike last week I didn’t even make it to the start line.

I was lucky enough to get a place on London Wales London (400km) 2nd – 3rd May. Unfortunately I had to give it up due to a family issue (nothing serious). I’d volunteered to help at the start so felt obliged to fulfill my promise. A chance to make a very small repayment for the huge debt I owe for the many volunteers who have worked on events I’ve enjoyed all over Europe.

I manned the registration desk for riders A – F. Ironic as I would have registered myself had I been riding. All the riders were remarkably cheerful and polite. No issues. Apart from one rider who left his phone in his wife’s car after she dropped him off and another whose brevet card had already been taken by another rider. Both issues sorted by the maestro organiser Liam in time for them to start.

I recognised Ian McBride who I last saw at Louth on London Edinburgh London 2025. He was the only rider fast enough to complete LEL 2025 before it was cancelled due to storm Floris.

I also claim to have completed LEL 2025. The only difference is that we returned a few weeks later to complete the Richmond – Brampton – Hawick – Dalkeith – Innerleithen – Eskdalemuir – Richmond loop (623 km) that we weren’t able to do in August.

After driving back to central London all I could do was monitor riders progress on the WhatsApp group from time to time. Congratulations to them all. Chapeau. 💪🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️💪

I was jealous but happy I was able to make a small contribution. A very small contribution.

Hopefully I will be lucky enough to ride it next year.