Lezyne Look Mum No Sleep! overnight Audax set for July

The organisers of the Orbital Cycling Festival and the owners of London cycling café Look Mum No Hands! have announced the Lezyne Look Mum No Sleep! 200km (125 miles) overnight randonnée, dubbed 'Café to Café'.

The organisers say, “[We] aim to introduce Audax riding to a new audience, targeting sportive riders who are looking for more of a challenge in a different riding environment.”

Starting from Look Mum No Hands! on Old Street, London at 9pm on Friday 26 July, the route takes in the famous cycling sites of Herne Hill and Box Hill, Surrey before heading to Lewes and then on to Newhaven.

It then hugs the coast until Brighton, passing Preston Park Velodrome, before crossing the South Downs twice and finally heading to the finish at the Orbital Cycling Festival on Goodwood Motor Circuit. It's not a race and there is no winner. It’s about completing the route and enjoying yourself.

You can check out the full route on the Orbital Cycling Festival’s event page. The first riders are expected to arrive at Orbital at about 7am on Saturday. If you fancy a celebratory beer or Americano, event sponsors Look Mum No Hands! and Dark Star Brewery will be there to provide.The brevet cards of all finishing riders will be put into a tombola at Orbital and (as yet unspecified) prizes given out.

Entry is limited to 300 riders. If you want to be among them, go to the Orbital website.

The cost is £22, or £20 for Audax UK and CTC members. That’s a hefty wedge by Audax standards. The only comparably priced Audax we can think of is the National 400km and entry for that includes food at the six foodstops. So what do you get for your money on this one?

Well, you get entry to the Orbital Cycle Festival on Saturday 27 July. An adult day pass for that day would otherwise cost you £18. You can find a full list of events and attractions on the Orbital website. 

You also get to go to the launch party at Look Mum No Hands! on the Friday evening with beer tasting and promos by 'Official Hydration Supplier’ Dark Star Brewery. Bear in mind that the ride starts at 9pm.

There are three food stops en route, but the food isn't complimentary so you'll have to take some money with you to cover it.

Organiser Jon Hazan said, “Typically a randonneur is looking for a genuine independent cycling adventure and is up for something a little bit different and off the beaten track. We hope to deliver that experience for up to 300 riders on the Lezyne Look Mum No Sleep!”

Lezyne have got involved as sponsors because their range includes lightweight pumps, tools, micro luggage and LED lights that are staples of Audax and distance riding.