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I'm doing a LEJoG this year

by andystow
Tue, Jun 25, 2024 18:22
105

I've just pulled the trigger on my airfare to do LEJoG. I'm in for three weeks, arriving LHR on 27 August, departing 17 September. My plan was to use the 2 week route from Britain's Best Bike Ride, maybe with a rest day or two, giving me a good buffer if things go awry. I'm in good enough shape that I could do the ten day route if I really wanted (I don't.)

Unless someone is adamant that I'll have better luck with weather doing a JoGLE that time of year, I plan to ride south to north. Something like this...

27 Aug: Arrive Heathrow, train to Penzance
28 Aug: Penzance - Land's End - Wadebridge (77 mi)
29 Aug: Wadebridge - Chulmleigh (66 mi)
30 Aug: Chulmleigh - Glastonbury (75 mi)
31 Aug: Glastonbury - Ross-on-Wye (81 mi)
01 Sep: Rest day? Sunday.
02 Sep: Ross-on-Wye - Market Drayton (89 mi)
03 Sep: Market Drayton - Mellor (82 mi)
04 Sep: Mellor - Sedbergh (53 mi)
05 Sep: Sedbergh - Langholm (77 mi)
06 Sep: Langholm - Peebles (50 mi)
07 Sep: Rest day? Saturday.
08 Sep: Peebles - Perth (78 mi)
09 Sep: Perth - Braemar (50 mi)
10 Sep: Braemar - Inverness (82 mi)
11 Sep: Inverness - Altnaharra (76 mi)
12 Sep: Altnaharra - John o'Groats (74 mi)
13 Sep: Rest day?
14-16 Sep: Train close to London, visit some family
17 Sep: Depart Heathrow

I plan to carry minimal camping gear just in case, but generally I'll be paying for lodging. If a farmer sprays me down, it will be in the news.

If anyone wants to join me for all or part of it, I'll put my email in the comments. Or just join me for a beer or two, I'm hoping to find a pub every night and most lunch times.

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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105 comments

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mdavidford replied to andystow | 3 months ago
2 likes

Important details missing, though - what's the brew, and how was it?

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andystow replied to mdavidford | 3 months ago
4 likes
mdavidford wrote:

Important details missing, though - what's the brew, and how was it?

It was a Sharp's Doom Bar and it was tasty. I stopped at the Stoke Inn in Chew Stoke. I ordered baked ham and two eggs, which came with chips and some salad and was way too much food. I didn't even finish it, but my stomach was unhappy for an hour.

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Rendel Harris replied to andystow | 3 months ago
2 likes

Excellent choice for the rest day, it's lovely there. Enjoy the well-earned day off!

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David9694 replied to andystow | 3 months ago
4 likes

Was a bit concerned about you passing a Sunday in Street - the boredom factor. 

Keep us posted!

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andystow | 3 months ago
9 likes

Fairly uneventful ride today from Wadebridge to Chulmleigh. At around 1 PM I happened upon a very convenient pub, the Rising Sun Inn. The menu was a bit upscale and expensive, but was really, really excellent.

Another 65 miles with over 6000 feet of climbing. I had to use my emergency low gear (walking) on the last climb into Chulmleigh. Does it get worse? Currently having a pint and waiting for my steak and Stilton pie where I'm staying the night, The Old Court House.

https://strava.app.link/aWj1uukquMb

Avatar
Tass Whitby | 3 months ago
2 likes

Have you booked your stay at Altnaharra? Think the posh hotel is the only option... there's a 'campsite' further on but it has no facilities, catering for campervans and motorhomes only... (I think). We were hoping to do Edinburgh to JoG this year (so hubby could finish his LEJOG) and looked into the options - then dog broke leg, two days before we were meant to set off... 

Avatar
andystow replied to Tass Whitby | 3 months ago
3 likes
Tass Whitby wrote:

Have you booked your stay at Altnaharra? Think the posh hotel is the only option... there's a 'campsite' further on but it has no facilities, catering for campervans and motorhomes only... (I think). We were hoping to do Edinburgh to JoG this year (so hubby could finish his LEJOG) and looked into the options - then dog broke leg, two days before we were meant to set off... 

No, I'm just booking a couple of days ahead so that if I have to take an extra day I don't have to change 12 bookings. I guess I'll spend the money if I have to.

Today's is the best deal so far: The Old Court House in Chulmleigh, £50 including breakfast!

Avatar
andystow | 3 months ago
12 likes

I had a later start than planned today, made it from Penzance to Land's End to Wadebridge today by around 6 pm. I stopped at a little bike shop/café called Empty Valley and bought a luggage strap, which has allowed me to lash my pannier nicely to my rack. I also enjoyed a flapjack there.

A local cyclist caught up with me and rode with me for a few minutes. He described the area as "quite lumpy." Understatement of the day. Land's End to Wadebridge has nearly 6000 feet / 1800 m of climbing in 68 miles.

Probably 95% of drivers were courteous. I even had a BMW pull into a passing point to let me pass! I pulled over to the left a few times when going 5 MPH uphill to let cars past, and had nice words shouted out of the window for a change.

Had a nice fish & chips in Wadebridge, currently on my second beer back at the hotel. Cheers!

More photos on my Strava.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12270884131
https://www.strava.com/activities/12274512202

Avatar
andystow | 3 months ago
6 likes

Not an auspicious start, but worked out in the end. Ripped my Ortlieb pannier off and broke both clips riding from my cousin's house to catch my train in Didcot.

Missed my connection in Reading when my train changed platforms and I couldn't get from 7 to 8 fast enough going up and down the lifts.

I got on the next Great Western train to Penzance that I didn't have a ticket for, and did not have any bike spots available to reserve. I didn't get kicked off. I enjoyed a train beer (St. Austell Tribute.)

Couldn't get my wheel with 48 mm tyres on the hook, so it had to sit like this. I was lucky when another cyclist got on that the man who'd reserved a bike spot for his baby buggy offered to move it so we could have two bikes in there.

Currently having a beer after a nice curry in Penzance!

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chrisonabike replied to andystow | 3 months ago
5 likes

Thanks for the update!

Sounds like a not uncommon UK public transport ... adventure.

Better luck when the cycling starts!

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andystow | 3 months ago
5 likes

Updated itinerary. Bike boxed, hopefully remembered everything, I fly out in a couple of hours!

29 Aug: Penzance - Land's End - Wadebridge (77 mi)
30 Aug: Wadebridge - Chulmleigh (66 mi)
31 Aug: Chulmleigh - Glastonbury (75 mi)
01 Sep: Glastonbury - Ross-on-Wye (81 mi)
02 Sep: Rest day? - ( mi)
03 Sep: Ross-on-Wye - Market Drayton (89 mi)
04 Sep: Market Drayton - Mellor (82 mi)
05 Sep: Mellor - Sedbergh (53 mi)
06 Sep: Sedbergh - Langholm (77 mi)
07 Sep: Langholm - Peebles (50 mi)
08 Sep: Rest day? - ( mi)
09 Sep: Peebles - Perth (78 mi)
10 Sep: Perth - Braemar (50 mi)
11 Sep: Braemar - Inverness (82 mi)
12 Sep: Inverness - Altnaharra (76 mi)
13 Sep: Altnaharra - John o'Groats (74 mi)

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Rendel Harris replied to andystow | 3 months ago
7 likes

Ah, welcome to the UK and hope you have a fabulous ride! South-North definitely the best way given the prevailing winds. Keep us updated on progress.

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perce replied to andystow | 3 months ago
4 likes

Hope everything goes well and you enjoy it. Good luck.

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dubwise replied to andystow | 3 months ago
4 likes

Hope it all goes well Andy and the weather, in Scotland at least, improves. The wettest summer in years and not particularly warm.

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andystow | 5 months ago
5 likes

Contact. Maybe this will stop the scrapers/harvesters for a couple of years. I spent over a minute making this.

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