London-Edinburgh-London, the UK’s biggest cycling challenge, is looking for 2,000 volunteers to help make the event a success this August.
The iconic London-Edinburgh-London (LEL) cycling event is set to return this year, but organisers are calling for the support of hundreds of volunteers to help manage the event smoothly. The challenge, a flagship event for Audax UK, will see around 2,500 cyclists ride the 1,540km route from London to Edinburgh and back between August 3 and 8, passing through 21 different control points.
While the 5,000 applicants have already been notified of their success, LEL still requires approximately 2,000 volunteers to assist with various roles, ensuring that the event runs without a hitch. Volunteers are needed for a range of tasks, including staffing feeding stations, providing mechanical support, delivering supplies, and transporting dropped bags to designated locations.
Liam FitzPatrick, a member of the LEL team, shared with Cycling Weekly the importance of volunteers in making the event possible. “We’ve received 5,000 applications, and we’ve extended 2,500 offers, hoping for about 2,250 participants. The event needs about the same number of volunteers as riders to function effectively. Volunteers make all the difference, especially when riders reach remote control points across the country,” FitzPatrick explained.
Volunteers are crucial in various roles, from supervising bike parks to managing food stations. According to FitzPatrick, many volunteers return because of the positive experiences they’ve had at the event, while others are drawn by the opportunity to contribute to something meaningful. “Some volunteers have ridden the event before, while others are new and eager to experience it. Either way, volunteering is a valuable experience,” he added.
He emphasised that without volunteers, the event would not be possible. “If we had to pay people for these roles, the cost of the event would be unaffordable for riders. We rely heavily on volunteers, including specialists like mechanics, people with great communication skills, and drivers for transporting bags.”
Volunteers can sign up for shifts of varying lengths, with some staying for just a day and others volunteering for the entire week. “We also move volunteers around the country, so if there’s a location you’ve always wanted to explore, this is your chance,” FitzPatrick said. “We try to make sure volunteers are always close to the riders, rather than doing less exciting tasks.”
In return for their time, volunteers can receive up to £120 in travel expenses, accommodation, meals, two event t-shirts, a goody bag, and guaranteed entry to LEL 2029. However, many volunteers choose to participate out of a desire to support the cycling community and contribute to the success of the event.
Anyone interested in volunteering can find more information on the LEL website, where they can sign up and begin their journey as part of one of the UK’s most prestigious cycling events.
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