Our LEJoG Route

[Rebel Ian]

Our LEJoG route is now mapped. I've taken various bits of advice from here and other places about roads to include and some to avoid. I've also found Google Street View to be an invaluable aid in determining the suitability of some roads.

Our overnight locations are fixed as accommodation is booked but if anyone wants to suggest any tweaks to our daily routes down to better local knowledge than I then feel free. If we can specifically cut out some of the climbing that would be great!!

D1 - Land's End to Lanhydrock http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/479105
D2 - Lanhydrock to Exeter http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/502513
D3 - Exeter to Bristol http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/502834
D4 - Bristol to Leominster http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/507887
D5 - Leominster to Northwich http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/507893
D6 - Northwich to Kendal http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/507919
D7 - Kendal to Lockerbie http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/507931
D8 - Lockerbie to Glasgow http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/507942
D9 - Glasgow to Glencoe http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/507953
D10 - Glencoe to Inverness http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/507985
D11 - Inverness to Helmsdale http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/509083
D12 - Helmsdale to John O'Groats http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Helmsdale-to-John-O-Groats-12

All suggestions welcome .

 

[Christkd]

Hi Ian,

You are following a similar route to us but we went straight up to Launceston on day 1 so didn't really touch Dartmoor!
From there we went to Bristol via Tiverton and Cheddar Gorge!! Then from Bristol it was near enough the same as you apart from we stayed in Biggar (Scotland) after a stop in Carlisle.

After Biggar is was Balloch at the bottom of Loch Lomond (beautiful place) Then our route followed yours exactly just differrent stop points!

What's your estimated total mileage? We covered 988 miles in total but we did get lost a couple of times!!!! Telford got us somewhat confused!!

Good luck with it, if I can be of any help please ask!

Chris

 

[Rebel Ian]

Hi Ian,

You are following a similar route to us but we went straight up to Launceston on day 1 so didn't really touch Dartmoor!
From there we went to Bristol via Tiverton and Cheddar Gorge!! Then from Bristol it was near enough the same as you apart from we stayed in Biggar (Scotland) after a stop in Carlisle.

After Biggar is was Balloch at the bottom of Loch Lomond (beautiful place) Then our route followed yours exactly just differrent stop points!

What's your estimated total mileage? We covered 988 miles in total but we did get lost a couple of times!!!! Telford got us somewhat confused!!

Good luck with it, if I can be of any help please ask!

Chris

Thanks, Chris. Yes, Dartmoor scares the crap out of me to be honest. It's just short of 6500 feet of climing that day. Our total mileage is 881 so a bit more direct. Either that or you must have done 20 entire loops around Telford!!!

I've tried to keep us off the main roads as best as possible so if you have any tips about those that are good or those not then feel free to recommend away. Any other suggestions will also be taken on board!

many congratulations, by the way

 

[Christkd]

Cheers mate!!

Are you going up through the Lakes? We went up thru Windermere and up Kirkstone pass (big climb!!) That may be the reason for some of the extra miles?!

There are no roads we took that we thought we shouldn't. The roads around Glasgow leading up to Loch Lomond have a bloody awful surface, my teeth were rattled around somewhat that day but there is no alternative!

We didn't spend much time on the A30 in Cornwall as we diverted up towards Launceston on the quieter roads!

You are in for a treat though, just be prepared for a big come down a day or 2 after you get home, BIIIIIIIIGG post hoilday blues!!

Chris

 

[Rebel Ian]

Cheers mate!!

Are you going up through the Lakes? We went up thru Windermere and up Kirkstone pass (big climb!!) That may be the reason for some of the extra miles?!

We're going through Kendal then following the A6 up to Shap. A bit of a climb for the first 10-15 miles that day but pretty much down or flat thereafter. One of our party lives up that way and has cycled that bit and said the A6 was ok.

Not looking forward to the dodgy road surface - one of my bet hates along with the wind against me. I suppose I should take up track cycling really!!!

 

[lejogger]

Hi Ian,

We went the Shap route. It's a long climb, and for us it was at the end of a 120 mile day, so I have no memories of it other than extreme pain and desire to get to the B&B! Had a great meal at the Magic Bean Indian restaurant in Penrith though!
We hit the A6 all the way up and it was fine apart from one section where you seem to join an incredibly fast dual carriageway. You just have to sit in the hard shoulder and grit your teeth.

Don't totally discount the main roads. We spent the entire first day on the A30. It's not pleasant but it gets the miles done on a route that has long drags rather than sharp kneecap poppers. It depends on if you're doing it for speed or pleasure I suppose.

The route you've taken to Glasgow which tracks the M74 is perfect by the way. It's so quiet. We must have seen about 5 cars all day. Definitely agree with Chris about the road surfaces up that way though. Horriffic.

One thing I'm amazingly jealous of is the fact that you soon get to do the descent into Glencoe... possibly one of the best I've ever done... eye-wateringly fast with breathtaking scenery! Prepare yourself for the wagons that carry logs though. I must have been passed by 50, and with every one you get a massive blast of wind which you never get used to!

On the way from Fort William we took the A82 past Loch Ness which you seem to be avoiding... it was beautiful riding next to the loch - something to consider. Im not sure what views you get from the side you've planned.

If you're interested, our stops were:

1 LE - Okehampton
2 Okehampton - Bristol
3 Bristol - Broseley
4 Broseley - Wirral
5 Wirral - Penrith
6 Penrith - Glasgow
7 Glasgow - Fort William
8 Fort William - Dornoch
9 Dornoch - JoG

Enjoy it - you'll never ever forget the experiences or run out of pub conversation!

Phil

 

[Rebel Ian]

Hi Ian,

We went the Shap route. It's a long climb, and for us it was at the end of a 120 mile day, so I have no memories of it other than extreme pain and desire to get to the B&B! Had a great meal at the Magic Bean Indian restaurant in Penrith though!

Thanks for that, Phil. Shap for us is right at the start of day 7 and the first 18 miles are climbing up to about 1400 feet. Just what you want after breakfast! After that though the rest of the day is pretty much downhill all the way for about 45 miles.

Re the main roads I've tried to combine sensible A roads with quieter roads where practical. I'd love to take 14 or 15 days to do the ride but holiday and family left at home dictates we've got to try and strike a balance between making progress but having time to see the sights and enjoy it. I think we've got it about right.

When we get to Loch Ness I've mapped two alternatives - the one you took along the A82 and the other which follows the East side. I quite fancy the East side route - it goes along relatively flat for about 40 miles, climbs very sharply for about 10 miles but then we have a 25 mile downhill stretch to Inverness. We need to discuss it amongst ourselves and I can picture now a game of paper, scissors, stone or perhaps spoof in the bar the night before to decide!!!

 

[lejogger]

Re the main roads I've tried to combine sensible A roads with quieter roads where practical. I'd love to take 14 or 15 days to do the ride but holiday and family left at home dictates we've got to try and strike a balance between making progress but having time to see the sights and enjoy it. I think we've got it about right.

I was the same. I had work and family commitments so going over 9 days just wasn't really an option. We probably spent too much time studying the tarmac, but if I'm honest, if I did it again I'd only want to go faster!

When we get to Loch Ness I've mapped two alternatives - the one you took along the A82 and the other which follows the East side. I quite fancy the East side route - it goes along relatively flat for about 40 miles, climbs very sharply for about 10 miles but then we have a 25 mile downhill stretch to Inverness. We need to discuss it amongst ourselves and I can picture now a game of paper, scissors, stone or perhaps spoof in the bar the night before to decide!!!

Haha, it's your tour, so it's important you go with what you fancy, but the Loch Ness Inn did us a fantastic lunch if that sways you

Phil

 

[PpPete]

We used the NCN 7 which more or less runs parallel to the A9 through the Cairngorms, rather than tackle the A82.

 

[Ceedee]

Cheers mate!!

Are you going up through the Lakes? We went up thru Windermere and up Kirkstone pass (big climb!!) That may be the reason for some of the extra miles?!

There are no roads we took that we thought we shouldn't. The roads around Glasgow leading up to Loch Lomond have a bloody awful surface, my teeth were rattled around somewhat that day but there is no alternative!

We didn't spend much time on the A30 in Cornwall as we diverted up towards Launceston on the quieter roads!

You are in for a treat though, just be prepared for a big come down a day or 2 after you get home, BIIIIIIIIGG post hoilday blues!!

Chris


Hi, We did the same with the Lakes , Up Kirkstone and around Ullswater. I know what you mean about Glasgow, if you can avoid it I would.

 

[Gingerbloke]

My route, just finished last week.

1. LE - Okehampton.
2. Okehampton - Bridgewater.
3. Bridgewater - Trumpet.
4. Trumpet - Delamere.
5. Delamere - Bolton Le Sands.
6. Bolton Le Sands - Lockerbie.
7. Lockerbie - Balloch.
8. Balloch - Fort William.
9. Fort William - Eventon.
10. Eventon - JOG.

Would I change anything doing it again? Yes, I would use the A30 through Cornwall. Trying to pick the straightest route through Cornwall, gave me nearly 10,000 ft of climbing on the first day, which meant I had to put in a much shorter day 2. Other than that - Highlights would be, reaching the summit of Shap 1447ft indicated on my GPS. The feeling of how small you are when crossing the Highlands - it's beautiful up there.
Low points - saddle sore (plenty of painkillers needed), the long drive home ( time consuming rather than low point) - this is when it sinks in exactly how far you have ridden.

Would I do it again? Yes, but with some company this time.

 

[Gingerbloke]

Get ready for the climb out of Helmsdale, followed by Berriedale Braes.

 

[Rebel Ian]

Thanks and well done. 107 miles is madness through Devon/Cornwall!!! I'm really not looking forward to our day 2 which is "only" 70 miles but 6700 feet of climb. Ouch.

 

[MacPanda]

Dartmoor scares the crap out of me to be honest. It's just short of 6500 feet of climing that day.

Dartmoor is a great ride. I did it at the start of day 2 (LEJoG) and at the start of day 12 (JoGLE). Don't forget for every climb there is a descent.