JOGLE

[JOGLER in the ma]

I am very new to cycling and have decided to do a once in a lifetime trip from John Ogroats to Lands End.
I would be grateful for any advice from more experienced riders that may aid my training. I am confident
on the saddle so info on training routines and such very welcome. I have 11 months to organise my
adventure.

 

[snorri]

Training

Just go and do it, unless you want to break a speed record, it's just a 1,000 mile tour.
Regarding organisation, you will have to decide if you want to take a tent or stay at hostels, hotels, or B&B.

If you don't want to do it this year, you have plenty of time for mini-tours this summer where you will learn for yourself what suits you
and what you are likely to need on a LEJOG.

Booking public transport to get to/from LE and JOG tends to cause the most stress, so have some thoughts about what you might want to do.
Don't get a driver and support vehicle, there will be a greater sense of achievement and appreciation of your surroundings if you travel independently and you will have more opportunities to speak with people along the way which always enriches a tour.


Why do you want it to be a "once in a lifetime" trip?

Having completed LEJOG your confidence will be sufficiently boosted to drive you on to even greater achievements on a bike.

 

[JOGLER in the ma]

Hi Snorri
You are right ..... Why once in a lifetime? I have 4 kids 11 and under so thats my reasoning.
I am intending to camp the whole trip and have no intention of getting a support vehicle.
A friend is toying with the idea of tagging along, not sure how serious they are though I
am looking forwafrd to this adventure.
Think you are right about some mini tours

 

[hubbike]

i used lejog as a spring board to a much longer tour...and now I feel that I should support snorri

the idea of a once in a lifetime experience is a bit odd isn't it? I mean we all have many thousands of experiences in our lives that are unique. indeed it is almost impossible to repeat an experience exactly the same way twice.

your reasoning (four young children) doesn't hold water. many people tour with children as it can be great fun for all ages...

I am sure that if you enjoy your jogle you'll want to see it as the start of a lifetime of great adventures.

 

[hubbike]

oh and did you realise there is a section especially for LEJOG/JOGLE chat?

 

[vernon]

A lot of potential JOGLE and LEJOG riders get the notion that some sort of training program is needed and spend months riding around with weighted panniers to get used to the anticipated weight burden.

All you need to do is ride regularly and make sure that you can do the anticipated daily mileage on at least one occasion. Too many people see LEHOG as a 1000 mile ride. Treat it as a series of day rides and the target mileage instantly shrinks. The problems are more in the mind than on the road.

I am very lardy at 130kg and had no problems with LEJOG and JOGLE. I only had to get off once, at Berriedale Braes on LEJOG. Two years later I managed to pedal all the way on the JOGLE ride.

Once in a life time opportunity?

Nah!

I've subsequently cycled from the Channel to the Med, done Lon Las Cymru from HolyHead to Cardiff and I'm currently picking off the miles on Eurovelo 6 (Atlantic to the Black Sea) by breaking it up into stages.

Young children do not remain young forever and further opportunities will arise for long tours though I'm sure that you'll be able to negotiate weekend tours.

As for equipment lists:

For camping:
Tent
PVC footprint
Sleeping bag
Sleeping mat
Stove of choice
Torch

Clothing:
A couple of cycling shirts/t-shirts
A couple of pairs of shorts
Underwear of choice
Socks
Sandals if you want alternative footwear to cycling shoes when off the bike
Waterproof shell

Add more if you like but I've listed the minimum

Washing:
Solid shampoo from Lush - washes clothes, hair and body and is compact
Suitable cream to deal with saddle rash if you suffer from it
Camping towel - they do work
tooth brush and tootpaste
Flannel

Tools:
If the bike is serviced and thinks like brake blocks, cables and tyres are replaced before setting off then you'll get away with:

Multitool
Tyre levers
Two spare tubes
Puncture outfit
Pump
Spanners for any fittings with hex heads

Panniers
a couple of large rear panniers

The list is not exhaustive and is a 'stream of consciousness production' (TM)

 

[snorri]

I have 4 kids 11 and under so thats my reasoning.

You are right to a certain extent, there are phases in all our lives when we cannot just cycle away from our responsibilities for a few weeks, but these phases pass.

A good post from Vernon, the phyical abilities required to complete LEJOG are often exaggerated, but undeniably there is a sense of achievment in completing the route. Also comes the realisation that you have the physical and mental abilities to go on to complete more demanding cycle tours and explore further afield.

 

[mattlandells]

As above, riding regularly and getting used to and comfortable with your bike are the most important things for a successful E2E. As to the other planning elements, I'm currently writing a series of articles covering the planning, routing and accommodation choices for LEJOG/JOGLE

They can be found at http://sprocketmagazine.co.uk/?cat=8 - I write a new E2E article once a week

Matt