About time we offered less rigid time limits to 'experienced' riders who still have the desire and endurance to complete the long rides, but maybe lack a bit of the pace of their former glory years (naming no names, not just thinking of El Salvatore here). In Italy , for example, for the 999 Miglia (Miles) (1600km) Ride recently there were two choices of deadline - one was 10.66kph and the slower one 9.52kph. if you missed the 150 hours limit you could still get a medal for the 168 hour limit.
(I entered for the slower pace and finished in 161 hours)
I don't think they are enforcing any intermediate control opening closing times on LEL; as long as there's a control there they will scan you through. All that matters is the finish time.
On PBP 2007 they allowed an extra 2 hours beyond the control closing time but were very insistent that the finish time was 90 hrs (or whatever time you were on) they said it was due to the 3 middle controls (Tinteniac Loudeiac and Carhaix) being completely swamped due to the rain and were taking a lot longer to process riders. Also riders might be taking sleep stops at other controls / bus shelters etc
Despite saying you had to make up the time I know of one UK rider who was late due to the usual loss of mental function and was quietly validated an hour out of time
and another who definitely wasn't after arriving 2 hrs OOT
talking of OOT I know a rider who just wanted the medal and was not worried about finishing in the time limit (sadly now DNF) is there an "hors delai" maximum time after which you don't even get a medal? (I understand the PBP one has HD engraved on it or maybe nothing)
