Lands End to John O Groats?

[Scruffy]

Hello

Hope people don't mind me asking for some advice. Here goes. Earlier this year I decided to do the End to End for charity - it's now planned for March next year. This was all fine until I read some threads on a couple of cycling forums critising people doing it for charity and/or about is not being unique enough. And it has begun to worry me.

The End to End is a huge challenge and it is popular. I would never, ever devalue anyone who takes on the challenge, whatever the reason they are doing it. I admire them.

However, I'm thinking of designing my own 1000 mile route.So I guess what I really asking is, am I worrying about nothing?

Either way, I want to raise a decent amount of money on my bike and I have an lot of work to do.

I know the decision lies with me but I'm interested in what other people think.
Bugger, I feel a bit pathetic posting this but sod it - I'm mentally tying myself in knots at the moment

.

Sorry and thanks

Scruffy

 

[dodgy]

If it's a challenge for you, who cares? Why March by the way?

 

[Scruffy]

If it's a challenge for you, who cares? Why March by the way?

Yes, I've thought maybe I'm just too concerened about what other people think when really I should just get on with it.

Why March? Well, it's my last chance to take holidays from work before the new financial year and thought it would be better for the charities. I know it will be cold and I shall look like the abominable snowman (or female in this case) cycling up the road

 

[dodgy]

I see, personally I wouldn't choose March. It can be quite a breezy month and of course there's less daylight about then. Don't forget, the clocks don't go forward until the last weekend in March, too. You don't magically get an extra hour of daylight after they go forward, but you do get more usable daylight.

You'll have to carry more/heavier clothing, it can easily snow in March, too. Especially in Scotland.

But you won't be the first to try it in March, I bet it's been done in January!

 

[vernon]

Hello

Hope people don't mind me asking for some advice. Here goes. Earlier this year I decided to do the End to End for charity - it's now planned for March next year. This was all fine until I read some threads on a couple of cycling forums critising people doing it for charity and/or about is not being unique enough. And it has begun to worry me.

I think what you have picked upon is that LEJOG is not unique enough for companies to donate their wares to the rider. There's been a few potential LEJOG riders who thought that companies would be more than willing to support their efforts through the supply of clothing, nutrition etc.

Some purists suggest that the ride should be done for the sake of the ride itself.

Some suggest that the ride is a falsehood between two points of little merit or interest as they are not the most northerly and, most southerly points.

There's plenty of scope in the middle ground. There will be sufficient numbers amongst your friends and colleagues that consider the ride to be a challenge and worthy of sponsorship. Doing an alternative 1000 mile end to end will not have the same cachet as LEJOG.

 

[Scruffy]

I think what you have picked upon is that LEJOG is not unique enough for companies to donate their wares to the rider. There's been a few potential LEJOG riders who thought that companies would be more than willing to support their efforts through the supply of clothing, nutrition etc.

Some purists suggest that the ride should be done for the sake of the ride itself.

Some suggest that the ride is a falsehood between two points of little merit or interest as they are not the most northerly and, most southerly points.

There's plenty of scope in the middle ground. There will be sufficient numbers amongst your friends and colleagues that consider the ride to be a challenge and worthy of sponsorship. Doing an alternative 1000 mile end to end will not have the same cachet as LEJOG.

Thanks Vernon. You could be right, although I have had an offer from one company to help me with the nutrition side. I apporached them because food is a huge issue for me - have coeliac disease - and they make energy bars that are OK to eat. I thought that was so nice of them because as you say it isn't hugely unique.

I should head for the middle ground then.

Thanks very much for your help

 

[Scruffy]

I see, personally I wouldn't choose March. It can be quite a breezy month and of course there's less daylight about then. Don't forget, the clocks don't go forward until the last weekend in March, too. You don't magically get an extra hour of daylight after they go forward, but you do get more usable daylight.

You'll have to carry more/heavier clothing, it can easily snow in March, too. Especially in Scotland.

But you won't be the first to try it in March, I bet it's been done in January!

I compeletly understand where you're coming from, and I've been asked a few times about this. Makes it more of a challenge!

Bet there's a few who've done it in winter. Brr, I will make sure I dress right and dream of warm fires

. And I'd better get some brighter lights.

Scotland is going to be magical at that time of year. I'm really looking foward to crossing the border.

 

[vernon]

Thanks Vernon. You could be right, although I have had an offer from one company to help me with the nutrition side. I apporached them because food is a huge issue for me - have coeliac disease - and they make energy bars that are OK to eat. I thought that was so nice of them because as you say it isn't hugely unique.

I should head for the middle ground then.

Thanks very much for your help

You've found a unique selling point for your ride well done! Are you going to carry the entire ride's worth with you? I'd need a trailer

 

[Scruffy]

You've found a unique selling point for your ride well done! Are you going to carry the entire ride's worth with you? I'd need a trailer

Is that really a USP? Still got to work that one out. I'm designing it so one of my overnights is in Lancaster, where I live, so can pick up more supplies then. Now I'm thinking of whether I have to cart pasta up the country etc

.

It's going to be an interesting mission to find places that serve gluten free food. The worst thing is Scotland - I can't eat my beloved battered sausage and chips.

 

[sadjack]

Dont worry about what others think. To you its a challenge and you want to raise money for a worthy cause, just do it.

I did a charity ride this year, it was nowhere near the challenge of LEJOG but I had to work hard to complete it and I got lots of satisfaction from doing it.

Plenty of other rides to do just for the sake of doing them

Good luck and enjoy it.

 

[dodgy]

Oh and by the way, lots of my colleagues ask why don't I collect sponsorship for my weekend rides. They are amazed that I ride 70 to 100 miles every weekend, s e v e n t y MILES!!!!!!!
But, I would happily sponsor someone a few quid who hadn't ridden a bike since school and was about to undertake a 100 mile ride.

It's all relative.

 

[Scruffy]

Oh and by the way, lots of my colleagues ask why don't I collect sponsorship for my weekend rides. They are amazed that I ride 70 to 100 miles every weekend, s e v e n t y MILES!!!!!!!
But, I would happily sponsor someone a few quid who hadn't ridden a bike since school and was about to undertake a 100 mile ride.

It's all relative.

Thank you Dodgy! I only starting riding again last year after a 16 year gap and even then wasn't a serious rider. One 50 mile challenge last year has led to me wanting to do this.

Thank you so much for all your advice, I feel a lot better!

 

[Scruffy]

Dont worry about what others think. To you its a challenge and you want to raise money for a worthy cause, just do it.

I did a charity ride this year, it was nowhere near the challenge of LEJOG but I had to work hard to complete it and I got lots of satisfaction from doing it.

Plenty of other rides to do just for the sake of doing them

Good luck and enjoy it.

Hiya Sadjack.

Thank you for that - I think you are right!

I'm glad you enjoyed your charity ride

No matter how hard it gets I really intend to enjoy every minute

 

[mcshroom]

No matter how hard it gets I really intend to enjoy every minute

That's the right attitude!

To be honest you want to do a LEJOG, so who cares about anybody else's opinion. I know I will do it some time.

How many days are you looking at? Are you camping or b&b on the way up?

 

[Scruffy]

That's the right attitude!

To be honest you want to do a LEJOG, so who cares about anybody else's opinion. I know I will do it some time.

How many days are you looking at? Are you camping or b&b on the way up?

Hello mcshroom

Thank you!

I want to do it in nine days - just hope am not aiming too high there. I'm looking at the B&B route - not sure about camping in March, although that would be good. I'm a big fan of camping.

I'm doing it solo and unsupported. So if people see a cyclist talking to herself as she rides along in the middle of March, that'll be me