Who is planning LEJOG in 2016

[man in black]

So I am down to two routes the first as in the book end to end a safer way a revised route from the same chap who wrote Lejog the Google route, and my second choice as in the book end to end cycle route by Nick Mitchell A Cicerone Guide, any advice on these two, or if anyone done any of these routes, I would appreciate an opinion.
Many thanks in advance!

 

[Hankydoodle]

I am hoping to do JOGLE in 2016, I have never done any touring and the longest ride I have ever done was 100 miles on a road bike , a couple of years ago.
I am really confused on what type of bike to go for as the few shops I have been in are suggesting different types of bike. One shop is saying the Whyte Sterling would be perfect for this journey but that is a hybrid and I was thinking more on the lines of a Dawes Galaxy or maybe Specialized AWOL. I intend to tent it all the way. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Hankydoodle]

So I am down to two routes the first as in the book end to end a safer way a revised route from the same chap who wrote Lejog the Google route, and my second choice as in the book end to end cycle route by Nick Mitchell A Cicerone Guide, any advice on these two, or if anyone done any of these routes, I would appreciate an opinion.
Many thanks in advance!

I still have no idea which route I am going, I have just ordered the Nick Mitchell book. Do you reccomend the end to end a safer way?

 

[vernon]

I am hoping to do JOGLE in 2016, I have never done any touring and the longest ride I have ever done was 100 miles on a road bike , a couple of years ago.
I am really confused on what type of bike to go for as the few shops I have been in are suggesting different types of bike. One shop is saying the Whyte Sterling would be perfect for this journey but that is a hybrid and I was thinking more on the lines of a Dawes Galaxy or maybe Specialized AWOL. I intend to tent it all the way. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

As long as you have a bike that will carry all that you intend to take in comfort and is geared low enough then it doesn't matter if it is a hybrid or a traditional tourer styled bike like the Galaxy. I've toured with a road bike, a Galaxy, a hybrid with front suspension and a custom built tourer/expedition bike. The road bike was the the one that caused me the most problems because a 53/39 chain ring up front with a standard six cogged cassette max tooth 26, at the back did not lend itself to ascending the hills encountered on a C2C ride. The frame flex was also disconcerting.

I've just looked at the Whyte Sterling - two shortcomings are evident.

It has carbon forks. You'll not be able to mount front panniers without finding a specialised rack that does not attach directly to the fork legs.
The bottom gear is too high unless you are megafit, superlight and there's no challenging hills on your route. Some folk cope with 32 front teeth/32 rear teeth i.e. a 1:1 ratio but you'll not thank yourself for choosing it at the end of a long day when the slightest upward gradient or headwind will have you struggling.

I've run out of steam with a Deore set up with a 22 tooth granny ring and a 34 tooth large sprocket at the back.

Do look closely at the gears on any bike that you are considering. Some of the bikes labelled as tourers and some hybrids have gear ratios that bare a tad too tall in my opinion to be fit for purpose.

 

[vernon]

I still have no idea which route I am going, I have just ordered the Nick Mitchell book. Do you reccomend the end to end a safer way?

Why not plot your own route? A cheap road atlas, Collins is good as it has approximate locations of campsites marked on it as it's OS based, makes for a good planning tool along with a ruler, pencil and a bit a of research to help you avoid roads that you might be uncomfortable with. Draw approximate route with ruler and pencil, pick roads close to the line, follow them. Job's done.

 

[Hankydoodle]

Thank you Vernon for your advice . At the moment I am just getting the miles in. The atlas sounds like a good plan it will also save me some cash , as I was thinking about getting a garmin touring GPS.
I have my mind set on the AWOL if I can get it for a decent price.

 

[man in black]

I still have no idea which route I am going, I have just ordered the Nick Mitchell book. Do you reccomend the end to end a safer way?

I think I will go with the Safer Way, I have the gps tourer and have downloaded this route onto the device

 

[Hankydoodle]

I think I will go with the Safer Way, I have the gps tourer and have downloaded this route onto the device

I think I will get that book as well and check it out. Is that the Garmin Edge Tourer? I've been thinking about getting one if my funds allow.

 

[Douggie954]

I used a Garmin Edge Tourer for my LeJoG this summer. It was brilliant but it takes time to get used to it.

 

[ton.petit.frere.nino]

Hi Steve,

I'm going in April 2016 but in very early stages of planning, basically creating an attractive enough route that will persuade a few mates to come with me.

I was thinking of doing a mix of camping and B&Bs, but tents seem like a major hassle after a hard day's cycle. I will be happy enough saving a bit of money until April and spending it on a solid nights rest. We'll see!

 

[FiremanAxe]

Jannie and I are planning to ride it in July 2016. We will be using B&Bs, hostels and hotels.

We are curious to know who else from CC has decided to ride it next year.

How will you be riding it? Camping or B&Bs.

I'm planning a LEJOG in July 2016 (Actually this thread appeared in Google and I have joined the forum so I can take part in this thread)

So far I have two weeks booked off work (during which it's my wife birthday so she's not really happy but will still support me :-) )
I have a work colleague who is prepared to drive me to Lands End, Follow me the whole way to JOG then drive me home again. (!)

So it'll be a supported ride, my mate will carry tents/etc in the car and we will set a destination each day depending on weather/progress etc where he will meet me (this can change if required each day) I have a cpap machine (air compressor which breaths for me at night whilst I sleep) so I can't wild camp as I need electricity, but campsites will be ok (the car kit will include electric hook up)

I'm not a mega cyclist, but in 2014 did C2C in 3 days, My longest ride to date is 107 miles in a day (11 Hours with stops last August bank holiday)
and I'm currently training around 30-40 miles a week (a mix of turbo trainer and road miles)

I'm planning on starting hill training soon (weather dependant)

The car is an estate, so if anyone wants a lift to LE or back to Manchester (or anywhere on the way) from JOG or needs anything carrying we can help out.

It's going to be an adventure, If we can help anyone with their own adventure at the same time then we will.

:-)

Axe
(I've never been a fireman, It's a long story which involves a Polish barmaid called Mary, A climbing wall and Fire Engine)

 

[steveindenmark]

Good luck with your trip axe. It will be easier to get some miles in when the weather improves. Its cold, wet and dark in Denmark and is no fun.

 

[lonewalker]

I'm doing it start 5th may 2016 in 9 days all been well still planning route but definitely starting that day

 

[FiremanAxe]

I'm looking at starting Saturday 16th July from Manchester, Drive to Lands End, set off on the bike and see how far I get, If I get it right and finish at JOG on 25th or 26th I can be home on the evening of the 26th for the wifes birthday (on the 26th) then a few days recovery and 2 weeks holiday in Anglesey :-)
If it goes wrong I can spend an extra few days to get to JOG.

The training is going more or less to plan, nothing last week as I've had a stinking cold, but I managed 21 miles on my turbo today, and each week I'm doing more and more (either road or turbo) I pick up a new (SH) turbo trainer tomorrow which is the kind that puts the bike/riders weight on the roller rather than clamping the roller against the tyre (It's a fluid/magnetic one rather than the just magnetic one I've been using)

Have just read the "Free Country" book about riding LEJOG for free, awesome, very inspired.
But also getting a little nervous.

I've told enough people now that I can't back out, but it does scare me a little......

Axe.

 

[snorri]

I used an OS map and bought another as I approached the map edge, repeating the process until reaching JOG and making up the route as I went along. I think four maps covered it. I aimed to take the shortest route without going on blue or green roads and it really was quite straightforward, or maybe I was just lucky..