If I recall there were about 400 places available to people who were a member of AUK in spring 2016 before the public entry started in January 2017. At that time, no other qualifications required other than perseverance, a fast internet connection and the will to stay up late to get first in line.
Given the facts that last LEL the servers could not cope with the pressure, and that in the end < 60% of riders finished in time, I would not object to the idea of the organizers doing a stepped registration based on longest ride in the year before. Without requiring further qualification (like a SR as with PBP).
But that's for the organizers to decide.
You remember incorrectly.
We offered 400 early places in September / October 2015 secured via a £100 deposit. This was to fund the upfront costs of LEL 17 without needing to take out a loan / borrow money. These places were open to anyone , there was no restriction.
Entry opened to AUK members (who met the membership requirements) in Jan 17 two weeks before the remaining places were opened to the world. There were no restrictions on places during this stage.
Pre qualification for LEL has been debated to death. Danial has said as long as he is organizing it, there will be no qualification requirements. My understanding is that there will be some form of lottery for entry in 2021. As I am riding in 2021, I am not part of the new organizing team. As with anything plans can and will change and that will be down to the organizing team.
We positively discriminated for women in the final place allocations for LEL 17. Every women who wanted to ride, got a place,
If you want to keep abreast of updates sign up to the news letter on the website and if on Facebook join the LEL group. I believe Danial will make an announcement about LEL 21 entry this summer. He will also have a stall at PBP 19.