Lots of rabbit here- if you're doing it why not list the ride at www.cycle-endtoend.org.uk in the Calendar? Loads of resource, journals and ready-made routes.
It really is a great ride - my recommendation for a first-timer would be JOGLE (don't believe the stuff about the winds, it's not true)
Rob
No, its uphill.And JOGLE is all down hill, right ? :-)