“Sadly the adventure is going to have to be a little briefer”: London-Edinburgh-London ultra cycling event shortened after riding suspended by 100mph Storm Floris gusts

The organisers of the London-Edinburgh-London ultra cycling event have decided to shorten this year’s edition, inviting all participants to return southwards this morning from wherever they had reached on the route, the decision coming after riding was halted yesterday and riders held at control checkpoints due to Storm Floris making conditions too dangerous to continue.

On Monday lunchtime, with gusts in excess of 100mph being recorded in parts of Scotland and regular 60mph gusts on the route, London-Edinburgh-London organisers suspended the event and told all riders to halt once they had reached their next control checkpoint.

This was then extended through the afternoon before the decision was made yesterday evening to cut short the event. In a statement explaining the decision, the organisers said “we are not confident we can declare the northbound route safe in time for the ride”. Riders who wish to continue will this morning begin their journey back to whichever event start they set off from (either Writtle in Essex or London Guildhall).

The past 24 hours has seen an incredible community spirit from all involved with the famous Audax challenge, participants facing “really treacherous” conditions before being halted at control checkpoints to let the worst of the weather pass from Monday lunchtime.

In the afternoon and evening since, the reports from riders have shown the great work of the organisers and controllers who put the event on, many volunteering their time and effort for free to help support one of UK cycling’s great community rides.

In one video circulating on a London-Edinburgh-London page, all the volunteers at one control were this morning seen receiving a massive ovation from the tens, if not hundreds, of participants who they had spontaneously looked after throughout yesterday and overnight. 

 “Continuing weather uncertainty means we have reached a decision point,” the organisers’ statement communicating the shortened event news began. “We are inviting riders to join us on the southern route from tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. If you don’t wish to follow the southern route now or decide to travel home now, please let your controller know.

“London-Edinburgh-London attracts adventurous riders from around the world – thank you for being part of it. Sadly, this year, the adventure is going to have to be a little briefer than before. From tomorrow morning, we’re asking you to start the southward journey from wherever you are.

“Our southbound controls will be open to welcome you and look after you. The weather still looks challenging and we are not confident we can declare the northbound route safe in time for the ride to continue to work for riders and the helpers who have made plans around the event. People have jobs to get back to and flights to catch.

“By deciding to pull the plug now we can support the amazing people who ride with the amazing people who help. There will still be a challenging ride homeward. The flat lands of Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire will provide a test for audacious souls and people will need to work together to get home.

“Riders are being invited to stay until the morning (Tuesday) in their current positions. This will give us time to reposition teams and materials to support you and ensure that you still have a great ride. In a couple of places we will need to bring in staff earlier than planned so we’ll need to manage that.

“If you decide to make you own way home, please help us by telling your control that you are going. That will help us with planning and organisation. We’ll communicate more information later for people planning on heading south. We’re sorry that the weather has beaten us this time but rider safety is paramount and can not be compromised. We’re looking forward to you joining us again in the future. Thank you for your understanding, support and company.”

The reaction from participants has been largely supportive of the decision.

One rider Joaquín Almirón said: “No words. Just thank you to all volunteers. I didn’t hear one single complaint from riders when this was being announced just all glad we were safe and that the call has been made. It’s sad, don’t get me wrong, I’ll be back even more eager to finish this one, business is unfinished.”

It is believed Ian McBride may be the only rider to this year complete the full route, having already begun his journey back south when the event was halted. He said he fully intends to now “ride the correct route back to Writtle… collecting my stamps as I go…”

He added: “I especially want to thank the incredible volunteers and controllers…you people make this event, and I imagine you share our sadness equally.”

We did see one person make the point online that the event has a 128-hour time limit and that losing a day to bad weather should not mean participants who have trained and paid for the event lose “the right to try”.

However, this was very much a minority view and one that was challenged by other participants and those with knowledge of the huge volunteer logistical effort that goes into simply putting the event on.

One participant, who says they travelled from Indonesia for it, refuted the comment and said they “believe the organiser has made the right decision”.

“I can’t even imagine the discussions that must have taken place within the committee to decide on cancelling the event, but I know it wouldn’t have been an easy one. Safety always comes first. There will always be another event. Much respect to the organiser, and of course, to all the volunteers who have never stopped showing their care for all of us.”

In a separate comment the catering manager for the control checkpoints at Boston, Louth, Hessle, Malton, Richmond, and Henham explained the challenge Storm Floris presented those working to support the riders.

“The past 12 hours have been a logistical rollercoaster with the changing weather situation, and we’ve been doing our best to respond in real time,” Ashley Digweed-Francis said. 

“Many of our controls have held the majority of riders during this pause, and while we always strive to keep everyone well-fed and supported, the reality is that this was an unforeseen situation we simply couldn’t have planned for. We don’t like rationing food, but in order to make sure everyone got something, we had to make some tough calls until rider flow resumed. It hasn’t been easy – for us or for you – but we’ve done what we can to keep things running and to make sure no one goes hungry.

“The good news: our chefs are already hard at work resetting for your descent, and we will have hot meals and food ready at each control as you return tomorrow morning. Thank you for your patience.

“A huge well done to each and every one of you for making it this far – whether you’re going to make the ride back or call it a day, the effort you’ve put in is nothing short of incredible in my eyes.”

The pictures from control points this morning show the first riders setting off on their southbound return journeys, many still with most of England to cross, even if the route has technically been shortened. A safe journey back to everyone involved…