16 May - The Bryan Chapman Memorial 600

I have a good feeling about this one (double click to enlarge map and you'll see why):

From Bikely.com

The Bryan Chapman 600 is a there and back ride. This will be my first 600km ride and would complete the SR series (Super Randonneur: 300, 400 and 600km rides in one season). Its a typical preparation for LEL, although I don't intend on doing 400km ride stints on LEL! The plan is to do around 300km per day, the first day will be the longest in terms of distance (324km).

21 March - Denmead 300

So, here we are, its March. Ready to take on the first 300km ride. The longest ride I have ever done in one day, has been 200km. The last ride, the Kennett Valley Run 200km went very well, and I felt I could have done a few more km. I am really looking forward to this ride and am not at all apprehensive. Just excited, and in anticipation of how its going to go. I am very motivated for this, because it will be a first tester for LEL, where 300 will be the daily distance (or there about).

LEL Profile

It starts off flat, then you cross the Pennines ...










and towards Edinburgh it looks like this:









Source: http://www.freewebs.com/lel-gps/stageprofiles.htm

11 January - The Poor Student 200

This is the first of the training rides and the first time I will be doing 200km in January. It will not be easy, its a long way, it will be cold and it is a shoestring event. A shoestring event, means there will not be the usual Audax controls where you can get a morale boost by seeing friendly controllers and have a cup a tea with a piece of cake. Either you carry all supplies or stop at bakeries, petrol stations, Tescos, etc.

However, several of the Fabulous Faccombe Four will be riding, and that already provides for plenty of morale support. The Faccombe Four are Keeks, Urban_Biker, Chillmoister and LEE whom I met on the Faccombe Haul, last year. We have met up again on various rides since then.

Wizzbike in Brentford serviced my bike. There was a bit of work to be done, because I wanted lower gearing and they found the back brake to be faulty. I rode the bike home along the canal and it was running beautifully. Top marks to the mechanic Karim. He seemed very knowledgeable and quite a perfectionist.

Training Plan

Main training Audax events:

200km - The Poor Student (Oxford) - 11 Jan - DONE
200km - The Willy Warmer (Chalfont St Peter) - 31 Jan - DONE
200km - The Kennett Valley Run (Grazeley) - 28 Feb - DONE
300km - The Denmead 300 Perm - 21 Mar - DONE
400km - The Denmead 400 Perm - 4 Apr - DONE

400km - Brevet Cymru (Nouvo) (Chepstow) - 02 May - No longer doing because expecting new bike when I'll do two 200s.
200km - ? Repeat of the Poor Student?
200km - ? Repeat of the Faccombe Haul?

619km - The Brian Chapman Memorial (Chepstow) - 16 May

June needs some more thoughts, I mean miles.
200km - Winton (Kings Worthy) - 14 Jun
400km - Denmead SR Series (Denmead) - 20 Jun
Dun Run and Back - 3/4 July - No longer doing because teethgrinder suggested no night rides in the month of LEL
200km - Six Counties (Hertford) - 19 Jul
1400km - LEL - 26 Jul

What is LEL?

London-Edinburgh-London: 'The international flaship event of Audax UK', a 1400km endurance cycling event held every 4 years.

In 2005, 276 riders started the fifth London-Edinburgh-London. 246 completed the event, a 14 per cent drop out, similar to PBP (Paris-Brest-Paris) on what is, a more demanding event. LEL is 200km longer than the French classic and the northern half is hilly and cold!

On 26th July 2009, 600 riders from 30 countries will be starting, aiming to complete the ride in 116 hours.