The UK’s biggest amateur cycling event will be passing through Cumbria twice next month.
The London Edinburgh London challenge is held between Sunday, August 3 and Friday, August 8 and will be visiting Alston and Brampton on both legs.
Unlike the Tour of Britain, which also takes in Cumbria, the London Edinburgh London challenge often passes unnoticed despite more than 2,000 riders trickling through towns and villages around the clock in ones and twos.
The event itself is a challenge that attracts cyclists from around the world – the last two events even had Bollywood stars taking part.
It is not a race, but the test comes from completing the 957-mile round trip in under 128 hours, including sleep.
The event is only possible because of the army of volunteers up and down the UK who staff control points to feed and water the entrants.
Stops in Cumbria are at Samuel King School and the Nook Farm Shop, as well as the William Howard School, Brampton.
A spokesman said: “An estimated 2,500 amateur cyclists from 57 countries, supported by around a thousand volunteers will be on the road of the non for profit event that happens every four years.
“Staggered start times and the different paces of the riders will mean that they often ride alone or in twos and threes. It is not a race but a test of physical and mental stamina; just completing is the main goal for most riders.”
Most of the 2025 riders will begin their five-day journey from the new start point in Essex.
