JOGLE 2nd July

[Charlie-S]

Is anyone else leaving JOG on Saturday July 2nd? Or even coming the other way?

Pretty much settled on my route after months of taking notes from this forum and it can be seen in its entirety here http://www.bikeroute...x?course=245295

Daily routes are:
Day 1 = JOG > Altnahara - Distance 83.55 miles / Ascent 3,157 Feet via Dunnet Head most Northerly point
http://www.bikeroute...x?course=241581
Day 2 = Altnahara – Drumnadrochit - Distance 84.48 miles / Ascent 3,579 Feet
http://www.bikeroute...x?course=241590
Day 3 = Drumnadrochit – Oban - Distance 93.08 miles / Ascent 2,767 Feet
http://www.bikeroute...x?course=241595
Day 4 = Oban – Brodick (Arran) - Distance 79.65 miles / Ascent 3,578 Feet
http://www.bikeroute...x?course=241609
Day 5 = Ardrossan – Gretna Green - Distance 108.11 miles / Ascent 2,985 Feet
http://www.bikeroute...x?course=241605
Day 6 = Gretna Green – High Bentham- Distance 77.85 miles / Ascent 3,570 Feet
http://www.bikeroute...x?course=241713
Day 7 = High Bentham – Sth Chester - Distance 96.40 miles / Ascent 4,923
Feet http://www.bikeroute...x?course=241732
Day 8 = Sth Chester – Kington - Distance 90.13 miles / Ascent 3,183 Feet
http://www.bikeroute...x?course=241949
Day 9 = Kington – Congresbury - Distance 85.47 miles / Ascent 2,924 Feet
http://www.bikeroute...x?course=241975
Day 10 = Congresbury – Okehampton - Distance 93.56 miles / Ascent 3,618 Feet
http://www.bikeroute...x?course=241993
Day 11 = Okehampton – Redruth - Distance 81.16 miles / Ascent 4,574 Feet
http://www.bikeroute...x?course=242006
Day 12 = Redruth – Lands’ End - Distance 28.35 miles / Ascent 1,062 Feet
http://www.bikeroute...x?course=242014
Totals = Distance 1,026 miles / Ascent 40,000+ Feet

Or via The Lizard = Top to Bottom = Most southerly point to most northerly point of mainland UK
Day 12 = Redruth – Lands’ End Distance 56.15miles / Ascent 2,614 feet
http://www.bikeroute...x?course=242013

Finish Wednesday 13th July.

 

[snorri]

On Day 2, you might wish to consider following the A862 all the way from Dingwall to Beauly, shorter and less hilly than the route you propose, also keeps you off the busier A835. Obviouly A862 is an A road, but it is not a busy A road.

Also, between Invershin and Ardgay, I would be following the A836 via Bonar, another A road, but relatively flat and wide so good progress can be made, and it saves carrying your bike up a flight of stairs to cross the railway bridge over the river at Invershin. Although, your chosen route is perhaps prettier.

 

[Charlie-S]

On Day 2, you might wish to consider following the A862 all the way from Dingwall to Beauly, shorter and less hilly than the route you propose, also keeps you off the busier A835. Obviouly A862 is an A road, but it is not a busy A road.

Thank you for that suggestion = I have changed already!

Also, between Invershin and Ardgay, I would be following the A836 via Bonar, another A road, but relatively flat and wide so good progress can be made, and it saves carrying your bike up a flight of stairs to cross the railway bridge over the river at Invershin. Although, your chosen route is perhaps prettier.

As I am 'supported' I stick with carrying the bike up the stairs to cross the bridge for the reward of a prettier/quieter route, unless of course I am so knackered then I'll cruise on down the A836.

Thank you very much for scrutinising my route in the wee hours.

 

[Rebel Ian]

Charlie - did you not get my message a while back with my route heading towards you from the South??!

 

[shirokazan]

As I am 'supported' I stick with carrying the bike up the stairs to cross the bridge for the reward of a prettier/quieter route, unless of course I am so knackered then I'll cruise on down the A836.

For reference, this is the staircase at the northern/eastern end of the bridge (where it meets the A836).

 

[snorri]

For reference, this is the staircase at the northern/eastern end of the bridge (where it meets the A836).

Re your comment 'what were they thinking?' I'm inclined to agree, but the steps are a safer alternative to pushing/carrying your bike over the main bridge along the railway line, which is what hostellers did when accessing Carbisdale Castle YH before the joint user bridge was tacked on the side of the main railway bridge.

It is no great hardship to carry a bike without panniers up the stairs, although there are two flights of steps at the other side!

 

[shirokazan]

Re your comment 'what were they thinking?' I'm inclined to agree, but the steps are a safer alternative to pushing/carrying your bike over the main bridge along the railway line, which is what hostellers did when accessing Carbisdale Castle YH before the joint user bridge was tacked on the side of the main railway bridge.

So I read when doing my pre-LEJOG research.

It is no great hardship to carry a bike without panniers up the stairs, although there are two flights of steps at the other side!

You're right, shouldn't be a problem for the OP. At the time of taking the photo, I was on my tourer with four panniers, bar bag, and tent on the rack, so I'd have been mightily hacked-off if I hadn't done my research and reached the western/southern side to be faced with two flights of steps (and another at the other end).

 

[Charlie-S]

Should I start 'Stair Master' training then?

 

[snorri]

Should I start 'Stair Master' training then?

Nah! I saw the Stannah chairlift folk surveying the steps last week, it'll be all fixed by the time you get there.

 

[Charlie-S]

May be they could get a bicycle friendly cable car instead.