I finished my JOGLE on 23rd August and found it an amazing experience. I was not a fully fledged cyclist this time last year, just the odd few leisure rides of around 20 miles. I then trained over the year, gradually increasing my mileage and concentrating on improving my hill riding.
I bought a Dawes Galaxy for the trip, but found the fit was not good for me as too long a reach. Ended up going to SJS cycles in Bridgwater and buying a Thorn Sherpa. It has been an amazing bike, and was perfect for my trip as I followed many canal paths and forestry tracks (Great Glen Way for one) I covered 1,170 miles as I took a scenic route including Mull and Arran and finished in 23 days, so averaging 50 miles a day. I camped 21 out of the 23 days, the other 2 being a B & B in Dumfries and Galloway area as couldn't find campsite and a hostel at Arneside after cycling through horrendous wind and rain during hurricane Bertha. (was flooded out of my tent the previous night and spent night in a chair in the campers kitchen). These 2 nights did show me how much easier it is to do the trip using B & B's. The bike would have been so much lighter without all the camping gear, no problem charging phones etc., and you can get your kit dry much easier. I found I had to strap my wet clothes to the top of my panniers so that they would dry on the bike. During the wet days, I did end up having to wear wet shorts the next day - YUK! I enjoy camping and when the weather was good, it was no problem, but during the hurricane period, it caused me a lot of grief.
I was travelling on my own without any support and enjoyed doing it in this way. I would not have liked being part of an organised group, even though it does have its benefits, I liked having the full flexibility of stopping when I wanted to and getting my head down and putting the miles behind me when I was in the right mood. I did not intend to raise money for charity, but was persuaded to and ended up raising over £1,300 for Air Ambulance.
The feeling as you cross the finishing line is fantastic and I had a huge grin on my face for the last 2 miles or so. Mind you things become a bit flat a couple of days later and I really missed the routine of getting up, packing away and facing that days challenges. Best thing to do is plan another one now I think.
.. but at the moment got probs with eyes so plans on hold first time I went solo the yha route all pre booked. the second went with a guy from the ctc forum who was looking for a ride buddy no accommodation booked . both had pro,s+cons... lots here also http://www.cycle-endtoend.org.uk/ 
