I completed -
London - Edinburgh - London in 2017
Paris - Brest - Paris in 2019
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Below are some of the main differences:
COST
PBP - entry €150, everything else is pay as you go
LEL - £320, all inclusive
DISTANCE
PBP - 1200k. Course undulates throughout
LEL - 1500k. 500k is flat, one large climb, rest is scenic
CLIMBING
PBP - 11,000m - 33,000ft
LEL - 12,000m - 36,000ft
TIME LIMITS
PBP - 80h, 84h or 90h. You must decide upon application
LEL - 125h
CONTROL GATES
PBP - Each control must be reached by the standard audax time limits
LEL - Complete within the total 125h time limit. At each control you will be informed whether or not you are ahead or behind schedule
ROUTE MARKERS
PBP - Very well sign posted, helped by spectators lining the route. No GPS necessary
LEL - No signage, very few spectators. Assume a GPS is necessary for the entire route
ATMOSPHERE
PBP - Thousand of people line the route. The whole event is buzzing with energy and for this reason alone, it is worth taking part in PBP. 8000 participants
LEL - Traditional audax set up. Few people are around, outside the controls. 1800 participants
LUGGAGE
PBP - No official system although some companies offer a service (US audax group?)
LEL - 2 bag drops are included in the price. You can decided at which control these are dropped
SLEEPING
PBP - Controls are schools and the gym is offered as a place to sleep
LEL - Controls are schools and the gym is offered as a place to sleep
FOOD and DRINK
PBP - The cafeteria at the control offers hot food and snacks. Long queues. Worth investigating eating outside the controls
LEL - Buffet food is available at each control. Good standard. No queues
SHOWERS
PBP - Available at each control. Pay for a towel
LEL - Available at each control