Cal State 91³Ô¹Ï Chair to attempt a daring nearly 1,000 mile ride through the UK
- BY Kimberly Hawkins
- PHOTOGRAPHY BY Garvin Tso
- July 29, 2025
For Paul Carpenter, cycling is akin to breathing — testing his body and mind. This August, Cal State 91³Ô¹Ï’s chair of kinesiology will take on one of the most famous long-distance road cycling events, requiring participants to navigate a route within a specific time frame.
Many consider it one of the toughest events of its kind. , a 962-mile ride with a time limit of 128 hours, will begin on August 3. The route takes riders between the iconic capital cities of England and Scotland, winding through towns and villages in between.
The UK’s biggest cycling event runs every four years and has been on Carpenter’s bucket list.
“It is going to be my last hurrah in terms of ultra endurance events for many reasons,” said Carpenter. “Also, as the next running will be in 2029, when I turn 70, it feels like now or never.”
Carpenter was lucky to secure a lottery spot for the event, which attracts riders worldwide. He will join an estimated 2,500 amateur cyclists from 57 countries.
According to the event website, “London Edinburgh London is a test of your mental and physical resilience. If things go wrong, it is up to you to use your skills and experience to put them right. If you are tired, cold or hungry, we will not rescue you!”
Carpenter has been training for months, calculating the right balance of timing for riding, sleeping and eating. He knows that weather, road conditions, proper equipment and clothing will all matter in this event that will push his mindset to limits.
“I am at the point where the physical training isn’t the key concern, “ said Carpenter. “It’s about having the right mindset in approaching and riding the event. Have the wrong mindset; no matter how good the training is, success may evade you.”
Originally from the UK, Carpenter says in an event like LEL, you cannot underplay the motivating impact of other cyclists.
“LEL isn’t a race, but it is more than a personal challenge,” said Carpenter. “The need to be self-reliant fosters self-discovery and a shared experience that creates a strong sense of camaraderie among riders and an ethos to help each other finish.”
Anyone interested in tracking Carpenter’s progress can do so in real time through satellite tracking using a link on the . His rider number is AC14, and his start time is 11 a.m. on August 3rd.