My LEJOG - in 13 days :-s

[HorTs]

In 13 days I set off on my 10 day, solo, unsupported cycle from Land's End to John o'Groats. I'll be camping most nights but have a night with a mate, and B&Bs booked on my 2 rest days.

10 days riding with 2 rest days.

Below is my route so far.

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/219855915
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/219878847
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/219885199
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/219889093
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/219891923
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/219895573
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/219905321
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/219908233
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/219919991
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/219922473

 

[HorTs]

Thanks RM, starting to feel a little scared at the moment.

 

[theloafer]

hi HorTS
I have done this twice it's a great trip hope all go's well working on my third one in 2 years time..

 

[HorTs]

Finished this last Thursday and despite a few hard days at the beginning it did start to become enjoyable towards the end. If any one else is planning a unsupported, camping, solo trip in or around 10 days I'd be happy to help.

 

[db7db7]

Congrats - great effort. I'm off next Friday and had a couple of q's you might be able to help me with:
a) how did you find the a49 north of Whitchurch? Safe? Busy? etc.
b) how about the a9? we're only on it before inverness and are hoping to use any cycle routes there if possible.
c) how was it camping and then getting up and cycling? did you pre-book sites or play it by ear or even tent in the rough?
Once again, congrats on a great job and I hope I'm able to look back on it as a success!
Cheers,
D

 

[HorTs]

Hi db7db7,

a+b) The only road I felt uncomfortable on was the A9 at 2 points - 1, coming out of Perth at rush hours AM (proximity and amount of traffic). 2, going past Inverness, approaching the Kessock bridge (speed of traffic).

I wouldn't necessarily avoid those areas but something to be mindful of. For the A9 at Inverness there is a NCN route - but it isn't very direct.

c) camping was ok, I took a thin mat and thin bag which wasn't entirely condusive to a good night sleep but it didn't seem to effect me. Some sites I prebooked, some I just played by ear and occasionally I just camped in a field.

 

[db7db7]

Hi HorTs,
Thanks for the reply - invaluable advice and puts my mind at rest a bit. We too will probably end up camping in a field some nights!
Thanks again,
D

 

[HorTs]

It's been over a year but I've finally completed (well almost) the notes and photos from my LEJOG - http://www.saddle-sore.co.uk/category/rides/lejog/

 

[jack smith]

56744 metres climbing the first day is that correct or a false reading?

 

[steveindenmark]

WOW...I have read dozens of LEJOG write ups as we are thinking of doing it next year. But I only got to day 8 of this write up and had to stop reading.

You make it sound like purgatory. Well done on doing it. But why you even bothered is a mystery. What a miserable time you had.

 

[HorTs]

56744 metres climbing the first day is that correct or a false reading?

Where is that figure? I can't see it.

 

[HorTs]

WOW...I have read dozens of LEJOG write ups as we are thinking of doing it next year. But I only got to day 8 of this write up and had to stop reading.

You make it sound like purgatory. Well done on doing it. But why you even bothered is a mystery. What a miserable time you had.

It's just my sense of humour I guess (or lack of it some might say), it's mainly tongue in cheek. Though I admit the retrospective pleasure is often much greater than pleasure of riding for me.

It probably doesn't help the accounts of each day were written for my friends and family who have the misfortune of knowing/understanding me.

It's probably best if everyone just looks at the photos :-).

 

[jack smith]

The climb elevation on the first map my ride link

 

[HorTs]

The climb elevation on the first map my ride link

Well I don't remember it being that hard :-). I need to update those links as I changed the route.

 

[jack smith]

Was just wondering if that was the total elevation for the trip?