Organisers of the London-Edinburgh-London (LEL) endurance cycle ride have been forced to cancel the northern stage of the iconic 950-mile event following severe weather caused by Storm Floris.
The storm, which swept into northern England and Scotland with heavy rain and dangerously high winds, led to the immediate suspension of cycling activity at 1pm on Monday. By Monday evening, all riders still on course were instructed to abandon the planned route north and instead make their way south, returning to London.
The change means that around 2,000 endurance cyclists are now expected to pass through Boston over the next 24 hours as part of their redirected route, bringing the international spotlight back to the Lincolnshire town earlier than expected.
Daniel Webb, Event Organiser for London-Edinburgh-London, expressed his regret over the decision but emphasised the importance of rider safety. “It’s devastating for everyone involved, especially the cyclists who’ve trained for years for this challenge. Storm Floris created conditions that simply made it too dangerous to continue northward. Our priority has always been the safety of participants, volunteers, and support crews. We’re heartbroken to cut the journey short, but incredibly grateful for the support of towns like Boston, which are playing a key role in helping these riders get safely back to London.”
The LEL, which occurs once every four years, draws cyclists from across the globe. Riders were originally expected to return through Boston towards the end of the week as part of their journey back from Edinburgh. However, with the revised route, the town will now witness a much earlier and condensed wave of activity.
Locals are encouraged to show support and welcome the riders as they pass through, many of whom will be tackling the route through fatigue, disappointment, and tough weather conditions.
Despite the disruption, Boston looks set to play a vital part in the memorable conclusion of this year’s LEL event.
