Search found 54 matches

by thebedfordfox
2 Nov 2019, 11:36am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Charity ride in Ireland 2020
Replies: 2
Views: 524

Re: Charity ride in Ireland 2020

Thanks very much. This is a really useful start. I'm not sure I would manage 937 miles in nine days. I think I did about 940 for LEJOG a few years back and did that in 11. However, might have more company this time, for all that I am a few years older.
by thebedfordfox
1 Nov 2019, 11:36pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Charity ride in Ireland 2020
Replies: 2
Views: 524

Charity ride in Ireland 2020

I am looking to do a charity bike ride in Ireland in August 2020, and I would greatly appreciate any help or advice with the route.

It is horseracing-themed, so it would be handy to go past some racecourses or training centres, and I would look to do it in the space of a week’s holiday - ie nine days.

I’m pretty much starting from a blank canvas. I know that I can’t avoid hills but am never happier than when grinding away on the flat.
Thanks in anticipation.
David
by thebedfordfox
29 Nov 2015, 10:57pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: LEJOG
Replies: 6
Views: 1674

Re: LEJOG

I built a website for my LEJOG of August 2014. I hope you find it of use. I used the route on the the website, www.sorebackside.com (yes, honestly), except for Blair Atholl to Inverness, for which I used the excellent NCN7.

As people on here will attest, it's an amazingly rewarding challenge. As Mick F, a font of LEJOG knowledge, has claimed, it is an impressive thing to do - yet not as hard as people imagine.
by thebedfordfox
24 Nov 2015, 2:22pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Lejog DVD
Replies: 9
Views: 9838

Re: Lejog DVD

Did you find the DVD? I have a copy here if you need it. It is very good, with Mick F playing an Oscar-winning role. Well, he'd have won one if I'd been on the judging panel.

I'll happily send it to you if necessary.
by thebedfordfox
23 Nov 2015, 9:56am
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: South to North - the 'easy' way?
Replies: 14
Views: 2365

South to North - the 'easy' way?

I did LEJOG in the summer of last year and am becoming increasingly piqued when people tell me that south to north is the 'easy' way.

Is there any scientific evidence to support this jibe?
by thebedfordfox
12 Oct 2015, 12:12am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: A19 Doncaster to Thirsk - safe?
Replies: 11
Views: 1500

Re: A19 Doncaster to Thirsk - safe?

Great idea. Thanks very much.
by thebedfordfox
10 Oct 2015, 10:40pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: A19 Doncaster to Thirsk - safe?
Replies: 11
Views: 1500

Re: A19 Doncaster to Thirsk - safe?

Thanks MC.
An example of a busy but safe road I'm thinking of is the A38 north of Bristol. If they're single-carriageway, I tend to think they're OK.
by thebedfordfox
10 Oct 2015, 4:37pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: A19 Doncaster to Thirsk - safe?
Replies: 11
Views: 1500

A19 Doncaster to Thirsk - safe?

I am looking to ride from Doncaster to Thirsk as quickly as possible, but - obviously - safely.
The most direct route is the A19 for much of the way. My memory of this road from driving it is somewhat sketchy - busy (negative) but single track (positive).
If you're more familiar with this road than I am (not difficult), I'd be most grateful to have a share of your local knowledge.
I'm not looking to have a roadside picnic or stop to pick flowers - I just want to take a safe, direct route.
TIA
by thebedfordfox
7 Sep 2015, 12:47am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Ripon to Redcar best route please
Replies: 1
Views: 884

Ripon to Redcar best route please

I wish to cycle from Ripon to Redcar on a road bike (audax) and would welcome advice as to the best way of doing it.
I don't mind busy single-carriageway roads but am not keen on dual carriageways.
TIA
by thebedfordfox
6 Aug 2015, 2:52pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Cornwall and Devon
Replies: 28
Views: 11734

Re: Cornwall and Devon

The route I used can be found at my website for the trip, www.sorebackside.com - the NCN7 from Blair Atholl to Inverness wasn't perfect, but was much better than taking the A9 in that part of the world.
by thebedfordfox
6 Aug 2015, 11:45am
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Cornwall and Devon
Replies: 28
Views: 11734

Re: Cornwall and Devon

I have used Mick F's routes through Cornwall and Devon three times and they are excellent. I used mainly busy single-carriageway roads when I did LEJOG a year ago, but find dual carriageways very unpleasant and potentially dangerous.

Although the A30 looks great looking at the map - it's the most direct way out - it's horrible when you consider holiday trafffic - including caravans - as well as lorries.

As the great man, Mick F, has said himself, there is no 'easy' way out of Cornwall and Devon. It's hilly, but by the time you get to north Bristol - which in my case was two and a bit days' cycling - you are rocking and rolling.
by thebedfordfox
1 Nov 2014, 8:27pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Bike maintenance/repair classes - London?
Replies: 4
Views: 1098

Bike maintenance/repair classes - London?

I wonder if anybody could give me advice as to where the best bike maintenance classes might be in London?
It doesn't matter where in London they would be.
TIA
by thebedfordfox
1 Nov 2014, 10:42am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: JOGLE support vehicle HELP!
Replies: 10
Views: 1474

Re: JOGLE support vehicle HELP!

Why not, as previously suggested, ditch the support van and carry a pannier or two each? I got everything - toiletries, clothing, creams, innertube - into one pannier for LEJOG in August. The ride would have been easier without it, but I got through.

Six people should be able to find reasonably priced accommodation in any medium-sized town. Just takes a few phone calls. Much better than a poor night's sleep in a camper van.
by thebedfordfox
26 Oct 2014, 1:18pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: 9 Day JOGLE - 2015
Replies: 27
Views: 15027

Re: 9 Day JOGLE - 2015

I did LEJOG in 11 days in August, and found it manageable, although I was 45 then and am still carrying a few pounds I wouldn't mind getting shot of.
I've done Mick's route out of Cornwall and Devon three times, and it works very well. Both counties are hilly - Cornwall more short, sharp shock, Devon more drawn out - so there's no easy way of doing it, but it's not too bad.
How many of you are doing the trip, and is it possible to plan your stays on an 'ad hoc' basis?
When I did LEJOG, I booked Launceston (first night) and Brora (last night). Everything in between, I booked on the day. Once I got out of Bristol, the terrain was pretty flat, so I was able to do a decent shift in the morning and then decide on an overnight stay during the early part of the afternoon.
I'd stop for some food and look on my phone for accommodation in my chosen town. Then I'd make a couple of calls, book a room, and continue my journey.
During those days when you feel you are 'flying' - usually fuelled by jelly babies or fizzy mix sweets from a petrol station - it's a good idea to 'steal' a few extra miles, so flexibility is a definite asset. Later in the trip, you can do, say, 70 miles instead of 90, because you've already got the extra miles banked in credit.
by thebedfordfox
24 Oct 2014, 1:14pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bikes on a plane - box or bag?
Replies: 16
Views: 2731

Re: Bikes on a plane - box or bag?

My plan would be return to Venice, so I'd be inclined to leave the box at the hotel before returning. I suppose in the grand scheme of things, €100 extra, while a pain in the bum is a price I'd be prepared to pay as long as my trusty steed comes to no harm.