Cycling UK Forum

Three of us are undertaking a ride from Cardiff (or maybe Pontypridd) to Aviemore this Autumn. I have most of the route worked out, which is near enough the same as my LEJOG in 2014. However, the section I am not at all familiar with is from Cardiff/Pontypridd to Hereford so I'm looking for recommendations from cyclists local to that area. Two of us are experienced cyclists but the third member of our group is a beginner so the least hilly and easiest route would be best.
Thanks in advance. Joe.

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Many thanks indeed to you all for your help and input. My route is now finalised and my bike all loaded ready to go. Train from Kingussie to Penzance is on Tuesday morning and then cycling starts on Wednesday morning. Looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity to raise more money for Help for Heroes on the way. If anyone wants to follow my progress I'll be putting an update on Facebook each evening. To find my page just search for Joe Quinn Kingussie Retired and you should find me.

Cheers,

Joe.

Sounds good Mick. Now what about the A38 (I remember it well from my days in the sixties driving from Birmingham to go climbing in Cornwall!) you suggest to use it as far as I can to Bristol. Is it cycle-friendly?

Cheers,

Joe

Hi Mick,

Thanks for the info. I take it that the A39 from Wadebridge to Camelford is OK?

Cheers,

Joe

I'm trying to keep away from some of the narrow lanes with those really high banks and hedges on each side. So I'm hoping my change of route will help with that. Time will tell!

Thanks for the info Juicerail - I've now changed almost my entire route for Day 1! Yours looks infinitely more straightforward and easier. I'll be starting on Wednesday 28th what day do you plan to start?

There is a really great bike shop in Aviemore see here - http://www.bothybikes.co.uk/

For Inverness see here - http://www.bikesofinverness.co.uk/

For the Slochd see here - http://www.slochd.co.uk/lodge.html

My planned route for Day 4 which includes getting through Bristol is this:

Day 4 West Harptree to Perton/Dormington (jcn B4224/A438) 72 miles (278)
From West Harptree (N) on B3114 to North Widcombe – Chew Magna – Maiden Head
Cross A38 and onto B3130 to Long Ashton and towards Wraxall
Then B3129 towards Leigh Woods and Bristol and B3129 the Clifton Bridge and Queens Road to the A4018 Whiteladies Road which carries on as Westbury Road, Falcondale Road and Passage Road.
Cross over/under M5 onto B4055 Blackhorse Hill – Marshcommon Road
Then A403 Severn Road and M48 Severn Bridge
Into Chepstow then B4228 to St Briavels and Coleford
Right on A4136 to Upper Lydbrook then left onto B4234 – Ruardean –Walford and Ross on Wye.
A449 out of Ross the left onto B4224 to Brockhampton – Fownhope – Mordiford – Perton.

I'm OK with the route overall, but could someone with local knowledge cast an eye over the bit that takes me through Bristol and let me know if it's OK.

Thanks, Joe.

What a brilliant feat! Well done indeed!

People I speak to tell me that Cornwall is the hilliest part of LEJOG. I don't mind hills as I'm used to them living in the Highlands of Scotland. Another thing I'm told is that the lanes in Cornwall are narrow and not that easy to cycle. In the route that I've planned I am trying to avoid main roads (especially the dreaded A30) but will this mean I will be hitting big hill after big hill? My route so far is:

Day 1 Land’s End to Wadebridge 67 miles
Land's End - B3315 to Treen – Boskenna – Newlyn – Penzance –
Road to Marazion then B3280 to Leedstown – Praze an Beeble – Four Lanes – Carnkie
Road to Lanner – (cross A393) – Twelveheads - Baldhu - Newbridge
Cross A390 at Threemilestone – Atlet Common – Treworgan – St Allen
Cross A30 to Newlyn East then Trevoll – Kestle Mill and head for St Columb Road – and St Columb Major (avoid the A39)
A39 to Wadebridge.

Is this an OK route or does anyone have local knowledge that will make my life easier?

Cheers, Joe.

Great info folks and my route through Edinburgh is now sorted.

Many thanks,

Joe.

Lots of sage advice has been posted about getting bike fit and the like. I live in the Highlands near Aviemore and know the area and its weather very well indeed. As you are doing your LEJOG or JOGLE in April/May you really do need to take into account that the weather in the Highlands could still be wintry especially on higher ground. If you were planning, say, late May, you would almost certainly not have a problem; but April can be very hit-and-miss up here. Just a thought.

I've voted for Tony and a BIG well done mate!!

If all goes to plan I should be cycling up through Edinburgh on Friday 5th September. I'm a bit concerned about getting into heavy traffic through the city and wonder if anyone could help me with a good route. my own route so far is:

Day 9 Eskdalemuir to Inverkeithing
N on B709 to Ettrick – Traquair and into Peebles
A703 N out of Peebles to Leadburn then A701 to Penicuik then A701 N to Easter Howgate.
Turn L onto A703 onto jcn of A702/A703 and on to cross A720 ring road on A702.
L on B701 Oxgangs Road then L on B701 Redford Road then L onto Colinton Road then Bridge Street and over Water of Leith.
There seems to be a cycle path then off to the R?
B701 continues to Drum Brae North then L onto A90 and cycle path alongside this (?) gives onto B924 and passes the Forth Rail Bridge.
B924 then joins the A90 road bridge (somehow) and onto cycle path.
Over bridge and into Inverkeithing.

Any help would be really appreciated folks.

Thanks, Joe.