L2P - June 2011

gingernash

Read about this in Cycling+ and it looks amazing. Particularly keen on the rolling road closures and grandstand finish in Paris.

Has anyone else done it? I am keen to do it as will give me a great training target from now until then.

ugo.santalucia

I know people who have done it.
It's a very well organised event, fully and professionally supported, accessible to pretty much all abilities, as long as you put the training miles in. The challenge is there only if you are fairly new to long distance riding, otherwise it's a pretty straightforward ride with no serious climbs... the weather might make it harder.

Problem in my view is that it's overpriced for waht it is. You will spend in excess of 1000 pounds for it.

There are more challenging cycling holidays, which come with a much lighter bill. In June I did the fully supported Pyrenean Raid for around 700 pounds for 5 days.
I don't think you can compare a rather dull ride in the north of France (I drive a lot there, it's not particualrly nice) with the shear beauty of the Alps or Pyrenees

markp2

I did the L2P this year and had a great time. Yes, it was expensive, but the experience of riding in a tight group with motorcycle outriders and closed roads was unmissable. I haven't raced or done this sort of thing before.
The whole event was pretty well organised - just turn up and ride!
I found the scenery in northern France to be very pretty. Car drivers pulled over and cheered when we came through, children left their lessons and cheered, people lined the streets and cheered - how different to riding in the UK!
Would I do it again? No. Brilliant 3 days but I wouldn't want it to become 'routine'.
Cheers,
Mark

dcj

rode the hot chillee L2P this year.
in my view this is where your money is spent compared to some other events:

1. expensively marshalled 'closed' roads all the way from mile one in esher
2. the centre of paris literally comes to a standstill. that is unsurpassed event wow factor
3. mechanical support right behind
4. the ratio of riders to motivated event staff is excellent
5. good planning. just one example: after the finish in paris the hotel is only 20 yards away, and after you step off your bike, someone else has the hassle of loading it away and taking it back to blighty
6. celebrities. much as i would like to say this is irrelevant it adds to the feeling of being part of something significant
7. good hotels
8. all you have to worry about for 3 days is eating, sleeping and riding your bike. i would have been happy for it to have gone on for another ten days.

i would say go for it. you will have a few months of hugely motivated training, and when the event arrives you will have a fantastic time while meeting loads of friendly people with a common goal.

izza

Lucky enough to pre-register today so me and 6 mates are going on this ride next year.

Anyone else successfully entered here? Would be good to tie up for training rides (I'm based North London)

56mph

I've done it twice. I have also done the Raid Pyrenean. In my view the two are completely different experiences and keen cyclists should try, if they are lucky enough, to do both.
The L2P, while it is certainly expensive, really is unique and is ultimately good value, with the rolling road closure, the daily race sections and everything laid on including full Mavic mechanical support which extends to swapping your wheel on the spot if you get a puncture. It would particularly appeal to the club cyclist who is fit, has some racing experience and is eager to do more racing and group riding on public roads (although of course closed to traffic).
I will never ever forget the race stage on the second day this year when, in Group 1, I was racing on the roads of Northern France with ex-pros like Magnus Backstedt and Stephen Roche. A real pro-am experience that few sports can give you.
Riding in the mountains of he Pyrenees is awesome but different.