LEL · about 1,500 km
London–Edinburgh–London training plan
London–Edinburgh–London is Audax UK's flagship randonnée: around 1,500 km and more than 13,000 m of climbing to Scotland and back, with a 125-hour limit. LEL training is about volume you can recover from, and holding pace on day four and five.
- Distance
- About 1,500 km
- Climbing
- More than 13,000 m
- Time limit
- About 125 h
- Held
- Usually every four years
What a London–Edinburgh–London demands
LEL is longer and hillier than PBP, and the Pennine and Scottish Borders climbs come back on the return leg when you are tired. Weather in the north of England and Scotland can be cold, wet and windy even in summer, so durability and comfort matter more than speed.
The plan emphasises long Zone 2 rides, durability sessions and back-to-back long days. Tempo and low-cadence torque work in Base prepare you for long, steady climbs on a loaded bike.
Sample 16-week London–Edinburgh–London training plan
Generated by MeepMeep's plan builder for a rider training about 7 hours a week now, with a ceiling of 12 hours, five riding days and the long ride on Saturday. Race pace is set at about 66% of FTP, and Specialty adds back-to-back long days. Your own plan starts this week and ends on your event date.
Planned hours per week. Easier weeks are dimmed.
- Peak week
- 11.6 h
- Longest ride
- 4 h 30 min
- Phases
- 6
- Sessions
- 74
The phases
- Foundation · 3 wk
Easy volume and a gentle introduction to each kind of session.
- Base · 3 wk
Aerobic volume, tempo and low-cadence strength. The long ride grows steadily.
- Build · 4 wk
Sweet spot and threshold to raise FTP, plus durability long rides with efforts after a long pre-load.
- Specialty · 3 wk
Event rehearsal: race-pace long rides with full fueling, back-to-back days and a durability test.
- Taper · 2 wk
Volume drops by roughly half while intensity stays, so you arrive fresh.
- Event · 1 wk
Openers, carb-loading and the event itself.
Week by week
| Week | Phase | Sessions | Hours | Longest ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foundation | 5 | 7.0 h | 2 h 45 min |
| 2 | Foundation | 5 | 6.6 h | 2 h 45 min |
| 3 | Foundation | 5 | 7.2 h | 3 h |
| 4 | Base | 5 | 7.6 h | 3 h 15 min |
| 5 | Base | 5 | 8.4 h | 3 h 15 min |
| 6 | Base | 5 | 9.1 h | 3 h 30 min |
| 7 | Build | 5 | 8.5 h | 3 h 33 min |
| 8 | Build | 4 | 8.7 h | 3 h 53 min |
| 9 | Build | 5 | 9.7 h | 3 h 36 min |
| 10 | Build (easier week) | 5 | 5.5 h | 1 h 30 min |
| 11 | Specialty | 4 | 10.7 h | 4 h 15 min |
| 12 | Specialty | 4 | 11.1 h | 4 h 23 min |
| 13 | Specialty | 5 | 11.6 h | 4 h 30 min |
| 14 | Taper | 5 | 6.0 h | 2 h 45 min |
| 15 | Taper | 4 | 4.3 h | 2 h |
| 16 | Event | 3 | 2.2 h | 45 min |
A Build week (week 7)
| Day | Session | Structure | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | Ramp Test | Ramp to exhaustion | 32 min |
| Wednesday | Endurance Builder | Steady endurance | 1 h 45 min |
| Thursday | VO2max Intervals | 5 × 4 min VO2max | 1 h 10 min |
| Saturday | Fatigued Threshold Outdoors: ride the pre-load easy, then do the efforts on a long climb or flat road. | 2.5 h endurance, then 3 × 10 min Threshold | 3 h 33 min |
| Sunday | Steady Endurance Ride | Steady endurance | 1 h 30 min |
A Specialty week (week 11)
| Day | Session | Structure | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | Extended Sweet Spot | 2 × 30 min Sweet spot | 1 h 34 min |
| Thursday | Durability Test | 2 h endurance, then 20 min all-out | 2 h 43 min |
| Saturday | Extended Race Pace Ride with your full event setup and fueling. Outdoors is ideal — practise night riding and navigation if you can. | Steady endurance, short rises | 4 h 15 min |
| Sunday | Endurance Builder Back-to-back: ride on tired legs, keep it steady. Rehearses day 2 of your event. | Steady endurance | 2 h 10 min |
London–Edinburgh–London training tips
- Ride your qualifying or preparation 600 with the same bags, lights and clothing you will use on LEL.
- Train some long rides on hills: the Mountain Pass Simulation and torque sessions are good indoor substitutes.
- Practise riding in the rain and cold; it decides more LEL finishes than fitness.
More: training durability, carbs per hour on long rides and saddle comfort.
London–Edinburgh–London training questions
How many hours a week should I train for a London–Edinburgh–London?
In this sample, weekly training starts around 7.0 h and peaks at 11.6 h in week 13, with an easier week after every three. Riders with more time can set a higher ceiling in the app; the plan never schedules more than the most hours you enter.
How long should my longest training ride be for a London–Edinburgh–London?
The plan's longest indoor ride here is 4 h 30 min. Indoors, 5 to 6 hours is plenty: the work is steadier than outdoors and back-to-back days add the extra fatigue. Long outdoor rides and qualifying brevets can replace any long ride in the plan.
Can I train for a London–Edinburgh–London indoors?
Yes, for most of the work. Indoor sessions are ideal for durability blocks, steady Zone 2 and tests, and they fit around work and family. Do some long rides outdoors with your event setup to practise navigation, night riding, stops and comfort.
Make it your London–Edinburgh–London plan.
Enter your date and the hours you have. The plan starts this week, never exceeds your cap, and you can move any session.
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