Started from LE on 28th September and finished at JOG on 10th October. 973 miles in 13 days. Not too bad for an old fella like me (I'm 61 you know)! I booked it with Carl from Great Bear Overland trails. Highly recommended if you want support such as luggage transfer, tea on cold mornings and hot soup for lunch.
The first two days were really tough as we had a headwind all day plus the combination of the hills in Cornwall and Devon. Once we turned the corner at Bristol it wasn't too bad - just rain!. But the last three days were by far the worst of the trip. We left Crianlarich to make our way to Fort Augustus via Fort William and the wind was howling in our faces through Glenco. After what seemed an age we met Carl who had a very welcome tea on the boil and I realised that we had only covered 26 miles with another 57 to go. At that point I very nearly gave up and just wanted to stay in the van. But then I realised that if I gave up I would have to do the whole trip again sometime to actually achieve the ride. The next day from Fort Augustus to Golspie was possibly worse, especially on the bridge across Dornoch Firth - I should have walked it really as looking back it was very dangerous on the bike. It took me 2 hours to cover the last 16 miles! The final day was from Golspie to JOG via the single track road from Helmsdale up to the A836 and then the final 37 miles, via Thurso, to JOG.
Would I do it again? No - too many other rides to do and other places to see. But LEJOG is one I have always wanted to do and now it is ticked off my list.
The first two days were really tough as we had a headwind all day plus the combination of the hills in Cornwall and Devon. Once we turned the corner at Bristol it wasn't too bad - just rain!. But the last three days were by far the worst of the trip. We left Crianlarich to make our way to Fort Augustus via Fort William and the wind was howling in our faces through Glenco. After what seemed an age we met Carl who had a very welcome tea on the boil and I realised that we had only covered 26 miles with another 57 to go. At that point I very nearly gave up and just wanted to stay in the van. But then I realised that if I gave up I would have to do the whole trip again sometime to actually achieve the ride. The next day from Fort Augustus to Golspie was possibly worse, especially on the bridge across Dornoch Firth - I should have walked it really as looking back it was very dangerous on the bike. It took me 2 hours to cover the last 16 miles! The final day was from Golspie to JOG via the single track road from Helmsdale up to the A836 and then the final 37 miles, via Thurso, to JOG.
Would I do it again? No - too many other rides to do and other places to see. But LEJOG is one I have always wanted to do and now it is ticked off my list.
