The LEL route has been constrained by the controls over the years. Without a need to visit the likes of Thorne and Thurlby, I wonder what the route would be like. I'm best equipped to comment on the route from Lincoln.
Lincoln, great cathedral and medieval streets. Howden, nice little Georgian Town. York, an obvious attraction. Castle Howard, one way at least. Barnard Castle to Brampton. I'd prefer to go by Eskadalemuir and Innerleithen first to Edinburgh, as a tailwind is likely. Possibly back via the Devils Beeftub, and the upper road from Moffat to Lockerbie.
I did like the ridge drove roads in the Southern part of the LEL 2001 route.