London Edinburgh London 2025 route preview
We’re still working on the route for the 2025 London Edinburgh London, aiming to publish it in March 2025. In the meantime, here’s a detailed look at what you can expect - a mix of scenic landscapes, remote stretches, and the quiet lanes we know you value.
Start Points: Writtle and Central London
This year, most of you will set off from Writtle Agricultural College. We chose this start point to reduce congestion and give you a quick transition onto quieter roads. In under 2 kilometres, you’ll find yourself on peaceful country lanes, where you can set a steady pace for the first 70 kilometres. The terrain here is gently rolling, which should ease you into the rhythm of the ride as you approach Cambridge.
If you’re starting from Central London, expect a slightly more urban feel at the outset, but you’ll soon meet up with the main route, joining those starting from Writtle. Both routes converge at the first control point in Northstowe, where your journey takes a new turn into the open landscapes that characterise the event.
Into the Fens: Flat, Exposed, and Challenging
After leaving Northstowe, you’ll head into the Fens—a landscape known for its vast, open spaces and flat terrain. While this section may sound simple on paper, the Fens are often challenging, especially if you’re facing a headwind. With little shelter, the wind becomes a key factor in your pace here. The flat expanse stretches north towards Boston, and while it might feel psychologically daunting, it offers opportunities to make good time if the weather’s on your side.
You’ll find small towns and villages along the route with local cafes and pubs, perfect for quick breaks and refuelling. While the Fens can be mentally demanding, the open views give you a clear sense of progress, and with some luck on the wind, this section could set you up well for the next leg.
From the Fens to the Lincolnshire Wolds: Rolling Hills and the Humber
Once you’re north of Boston, the terrain starts to shift as you enter the Lincolnshire Wolds. This part of the journey introduces steady, rolling hills that are a welcome change after the flatlands. The climbing here isn’t steep, but it keeps you engaged and takes you toward the control point at Louth. The roads are generally quiet, allowing you to focus on the ride and enjoy the scenery without much interruption.
From Louth, you’ll enjoy a gentle descent toward the Humber Bridge, a highlight for many and a symbolic crossing as you continue northward. Crossing the bridge, you’ll feel the progress you’ve made so far, with the next control at Hessle marking your entry into Yorkshire. The bridge also gives you a brief but notable change of scenery, a welcome variation in the journey’s landscape.
The Yorkshire Wolds and Vale of Mowbray: Variety and Recovery
As you head north from Hessle, you’ll enter the Yorkshire Wolds, where a series of gentle hills and sweeping views await. The route through the Wolds is designed to balance climbs with descents, giving you a recovery element with each descent. You’ll enjoy features like the ascent through Thixendale, a dry valley that offers a steady, scenic climb.
Beyond Malton, the route flattens as you approach the Vale of Mowbray. Here, you’ll find yourself in an open, relatively flat section, heading towards Richmond with the opportunity to stop in villages along the way. There are local shops and pubs where you can restock, as well as a pop-up café at Rainton Village Hall if you need a break before heading towards the next stretch of hills.
North Pennines: Steady Climbs and Open Moors
Leaving Richmond, you’ll notice the terrain start to rise as you move into the North Pennines. This section is a marked change from the flat Vale of Mowbray, with a steady, prolonged climb that takes you through Teesdale and towards Middleton. This area feels remote, with sweeping views of moorland, and while the climbs aren’t especially steep, they are lengthy, so pace yourself here.
One of the most memorable features of this section is Yad Moss, a long, gradual ascent that rewards you with extensive views of the surrounding landscape. After you crest Yad Moss, you’ll descend towards Alston and Brampton, where you’ll find the next control point. This segment is an opportunity to take in the solitude and the rugged beauty of the moors, with limited interruptions on the open roads.
Crossing into Scotland: Brampton to Dalkeith
After Brampton, the route takes you over the border into Scotland, where the landscape shifts once more, becoming hillier and more varied. Initially, you’ll face a short climb out of Brampton, and then the road leads you towards Newcastleton. Here, you can recharge at a pop-up café in the village before tackling the climb at Hermitage. Known for its length rather than steepness, this climb is a scenic one, winding through wooded areas before leading you into a gentle descent towards Hawick.
Upon reaching Hawick, take care on the approach to the control point, as there’s a short, sharp incline to navigate. The roads from Hawick to Moffat are a real highlight, offering a mixture of rolling hills and valleys with long descents past Alemoor Reservoir and St. Mary’s Loch. If you’re riding during daylight, you’ll be treated to stunning views along this section, though at night, stay alert for sheep and cattle on the road.
Heading up Devil’s Beef Tub and onto Dalkeith
From Moffat, you’ll tackle the Devil’s Beef Tub, a steady 10-kilometre ascent with a gradient that rarely exceeds 4%. It’s a long but manageable climb, and once you reach the top, the road eases into a flatter, more forgiving section all the way to Dalkeith. Reaching Dalkeith means you’ve crossed the halfway mark, and from here, the southbound route is slightly shorter than the northbound leg.
Returning south through the Borders
Once you leave Dalkeith, you’ll retrace your route through Innerleithen and Eskdalemuir, where the gentle climbs and sweeping descents make for a satisfying rhythm on your return. You’ll recognise some of the Scottish Borders’ hills, but from a new perspective as you head south. Each valley offers a distinct view, and the variation in the terrain keeps you focused as you begin the journey back to England.
Retracing Familiar Roads: Yorkshire Wolds to Lincolnshire
Crossing back into England, you’ll travel south through the Yorkshire Wolds, and here, you’ll begin to feel the miles. The Wolds’ undulating terrain will test your endurance but also offers longer, steady descents to break up the climbs. You’ll follow the same route through Hessle and across the Humber Bridge, re-entering Lincolnshire for the final leg home.
The Fens, One Last Time
As you leave the rolling hills of the Lincolnshire Wolds behind, the Fens once again open up ahead of you. This final stretch of flatlands can be a mental and physical test. A tailwind here can feel like a gift, speeding your progress towards Northstowe, but a headwind will make you work for every mile. With over 100 kilometres of flat, exposed terrain, this part will test your resilience, particularly after many hours in the saddle.
Finishing Strong: Northstowe to Writtle
When you reach Northstowe, you’re nearly there. The last segment introduces a few rolling hills before reaching Henham, the final control point. From Henham, it’s mostly downhill or flat as you approach the finish line in Writtle. The quiet lanes here allow you to reflect on the miles behind you as you ride towards the final stretch, giving you a welcome, steady descent to close out your LEL 2025 journey.
Final Thoughts
This 2025 route has been crafted with quieter roads, varied scenery, and a balanced progression of terrain. While no section is overwhelmingly steep, the weather, particularly in exposed areas like the Fens and the North Pennines, could make even the flattest miles challenging. Prepare thoroughly, and take each section in your stride; with the right pacing and preparation, LEL 2025 promises to be a rewarding, memorable experience.