VOLUNTEER TO MAKE UK'S LONGEST EVENT HAPPEN

One of the UK’s biggest cycling events, the London-Edinburgh-London Audax ride, is running this year – and you can be a part of it. Like nearly all grassroots cycling events in the UK, the ‘LEL’ relies on volunteers, 700 of them to be exact, and recruitment for the many roles on offer is currently under way.

“We’re a really nice, easy way to dip your toe into the water of volunteering,” said LEL’s Liam Fitzpatrick. “Because A, you’re not going to be on your own, you’ll be with a bunch of other people who are enthusiastic. And B, the work is packaged in a way that you rock up and you’re given a defined job. And, you know, you’re part of something that’s quite a big deal.”

LEL has been held every four years since 1989 – having been postponed from 2021. Riders are given 125 hours to cover the 1,500km distance from London to the Scottish capital and back. Organisers revealed last week that 2,000 riders from 50 countries are set to ride the event, which runs from 7-12 August.

VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK

Gareth Frith

Otley CC

Gareth Frith is secretary of Otley CC, our 2018 club of the year, and is described by his clubmate Claire Jessop as an unsung hero.