We’ve all felt the sense of exhilaration, pain and achievement that comes with a really ‘long’ ride, one that takes us out of our comfort zone.
Then marvel at two Newbury Road Club riders who recently completed the 1500 km London-Edinburgh-London (LEL). It takes something special to even contemplate such a challenge, let alone ride it. However, Gideon Rabinowitz and Dan McRobert are exceptional cyclists and both completed the iconic ride within 125 hours, the time allotted by the organisers of the event.
Gideon is a regular NRC rider and no stranger to ultra long-distance riding. You can read an account of his 600km ride through Wales here. For him LEL was the pinnacle of a personal goal set this year, and he has his sights on more long-distance riding in the future.
For Dan, an ex-serviceman and a relative newcomer to Newbury Road Club, LEL was as much about raising funds for his chosen charity Combat Stress, as it was a personal challenge. Close to Dan’s heart, Combat Stress is the leading charity for veterans’ mental health and helps former servicemen and women deal with trauma-related mental health problems. You can donate through Dan’s Just Giving page here.
Whatever the motivation, be in no doubt that LEL is a very tough event. Not just physically demanding but a harsh test of mental resilience. It is an unsupported ride so, if a rider is tired, cold, wet or hungry there is no bail out or rescue option. Riders must make their own way along the designated route through 13 control points getting an event card stamped as they go. Whilst there is the opportunity for some snatched sleep along the way, LEL means long, hot days in the saddle and some long dark nights too. Riders average 300 km per day – more than most of us cycle in a fortnight! You can read more about the LEL event here.
We will provide a more detailed rider report from Gideon in the next few days. In the meantime, on behalf of the Club, we offer our respect and congratulations, and we are all proud of your achievements.
Chapeau to you both!
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