Sheila Simpson asked me at the AGM for a list of what can be used on the LEL route for food, accommodation and controls. The idea is that peole can ride LEL as a permanent, given that the event is now full.
This could well come in handy if you're riding LEL as a permanent and/or as a route checker, orperhaps if you are riding LEL proper.
It is all from my memory and a lot of it is from 4 years ago, so things may have changed and I could be wrong about a few bits, but it should be pretty accurate.
24 hour facilitis become more scarce the furher north you go. Then any facilities at all become more scarse.
It is not an extensive list. It is just what I remember from LEL and other rides, so my northern knowledge is a bit sketchy.
Feel free to add to, remove or correct what I have mentioned.
Lea Valley Youth Hostel and local shops.
Lea Valley to Gamlingay, nothing I remember.
There is a village shop in Walkern, east of Stevenage.
Gamlingay Co-Op shop and pubs
St Neots Shops, hotels, banks petrol garages. A Tesco on the A428 but not sure if it's a 24 hour. Not sure if it has a cafe either. Tesco seem to be doing away with their cafes lately.
Kimbolton ATMs, pub serving food, a coffe shop, a cafe hidden in a shop but I can't remmber which shop. I think it has a sign outside though.
Wansford going north on the route, after Wansford, a (not 24 hour) petrol garage. I think it shuts at 2200, but not sure.
Just before the A15 A garden centre, which I think has a cafe.
North Hykenham (Lincoln) Travelodge, Little Chef, petrol garage at North Hykenham. Lincoln itself has everything you'd expect a small city to have.
Sturton by Stow small village shop
Gainsborough Another large town wih a 24 hour Tesco somewhere. On the LEL route, there is a 24 hour garage on your right at the traffic lights where the route goes left to cross the River Trent. You can get a tea/coffee there at any hour. Over the River Trent a Brewsters pub, which serves food every day until 2200 (possibly later)
Further on, turn left at the roundabout to Sundby, for Rosies cafe, a well known AUK cafe, if you ride events up north.
Misterton Small village shop. Further up the road, just before where the route turns left intoa minor road, a pub called, "The Gate Inn." Very good and very cheap food. Last time I was there, a minced beef and onion pie (probably home made) was £2.50. That as a few years ago now though.
Sandtoft A pub, which might serve food?
Thorne Chip shop, pubs, petrol garage and ATM. The garage was 24 hours, but has been altered so may no longer be 24 hours.
Moorends Local shop and local pubs.
Roundabout with A614 and A645 Cafe. was the Redbridge cafe, not sure if t's still called that anymore. I haven't been in there for several years now and it's been altered. Further up the road where you turn right to Airmyn is Clews garage. Petrol garage, Mc Donalds Travel Inn and pub restaurant which will serve food until 2200
Howden Hotels serving food ATMs and a Co-Op shop open until 2200.(not sure about Sundays)
Stamford Bridge Costcutter shop. Probably a pub
From between Howden and Thirsk, there is hardly anything at all but you may get a village pub. It may be better to go via York or Malton for a permanent?
Thirsk Tesco which I think is a 24 hour but does hav ATMs and is as good as on the route. Usual stuff you'd get in a town.
Scotch Corner Motorway service station. Greasy spoon cafe at Barton a few miles north of Scotch Corner.
Barnard Caste ATMs, local mini supermarkets pubs and hotels.
Middleton in TeesdaleATMs, mini supermarket, pubs and maybe a hotel.
Langdon Beck Youth Hostel
Alston As you enter Alston from the south, descending in where the cobbles start, an excellent cafe on your left. Fantastic fish and chips. Plus local shops, pubs, hotel, youth hostel and a garage.
Brampton Pubs and shops.
Carlisle has a BP Truckstop which does cheap accommodation and has a 24 hour cafe. Also an Asda next door. It's off the A7 and south of junction 44 of the M6. Try Asda store locator and you'll find it.
Longtown Local shops
Newcatleton Local shop I think.
Crossroas with B709 and A708 Gordon Arms Hotel
Innerleithen Shops, pubs and hotels. I stayed in a four poster bed in the Corner Hotel in 2005 for £30 B&B.
There are Forestry Commision mountain bike trails a few miles north of there, it may have a cafe? Quite a few of them do, especially the popular ones like I think this one is.
Dalkeith 24 hour Tesco on the humungous roundabout. It's on the route and you can't really miss it.