I'm really in two minds about the start time. The arguments in favour of a late start are:
- unlike on PBP, no need to ride yourself to the limit over the first 400 to 500 km, as intermediate control times don't really matter and time limit is more generous anyway.
- for me, 3pm start time may mean arrving at Louth (242 km) at around 3am in the morning, which is an ideal time for maybe 3 to 4 hours of kip, and the control should not be too busy, as most people will crack on.
- have a lie in on Sunday
- even with a morning start, I would not dare to ride further than Thirsk without sleep, where I may arrive between 4am and 6am in the morning. I expect Pocklington and Thirsk to be absolutely packed in first night, as both are the natural first sleep stop, so high probability of an unpleasant night.
Key arguments against late start may be:
- one is deliberately behind the bulge, which requires a lot trust into alwyn's organisatinal skills, as there is a risk controls may run out of food.
- one may catch up with the tail end of the bulge at a later stage. (My overall speed on PBP was 14.3 kph, and I was feeling better on the last 200 than after 400, so would be hoping to complete LEL in around 100 hours). Running into the bulge from behind could mean experiencing pandemonium at the controls
- on PBP, I started at 6.15pm and always was a few hours ahead of the buldge, which was really good. I left a couple of controls after some sleep, which were in the meantime hit by the bulge, and there was absolute pandemonium
- I struggle to get to sleep on long rides, unless I'm really tired. So sleeping at Louth may be nice in theory but could not work out in reality.
- at the end of the field, on the way back, intermediate control times can in theory become an issue, as the controls do physically close at some point. hence slightly higher risk of DNF/OOT finish if some issues arise in between