Cycling UK Forum

It will be difficult for anyone to give meaningful feedback without knowing your goals -- ?selfsupported, time available, views on traffic, camping or b/b etc. etc. ---- What I would say is that it is a more meandering, hilly, and longer route than a lot would choose --- but that is the key point --- it's YOUR route and that's what matters. You WILL need your stated strength and ability to keep grinding out lots of hilly miles -- at 1075 MLS and 59,000 ft you are clearly not in a rush --- just go and enjoy it, you can change plans and route on the way if need be. If you give feedback on this forum re your experience it will be helpful for others --- good luck !

I've enjoyed following this great WIMPS story over a couple of years and 90 plus pages. Now that u r all to meet face to face I hope that doesn't mean an end to communication on this forum. On behalf of all those forum members who will also be interested in what happens on the tour ------- We Invite Many Progress Statements.

I know it's a bit off yet but the MOTORWAY ends at Newcastle and the A1 continues thro Northumberland to Edinburgh as non-motorway status - it can be a fast and aggressive mix of single/dual carriageway and has a high accident reputation. You're not in a rush, AVOID it ! -------- much better to follow the well signposted Sustrans "Coast and Castles" route - it's a scenic coastal route on B roads and back roads and is surprisingly flat "ish" - one of my favourite day rides - plenty of b&b options in the likes of Amble, Seahouses and a great YHA , "The Granary" at Berwick-upon- Tweed. A few climbs between Berwick and Dunbar and then flat into Edinburgh. ------ best to pick up the route on the north bank of the Tyne via the ferry from South Shields (bikes free) or the Tyne pedestrian/cycle tunnel from Jarrow.

I make my B3266 suggestion within the context of you prioritising "taking our time, avoiding A roads" and to join it at Whitecross, not via an unnecessary A39 dogleg via Wadebridge. The Camel rail trail north from Nanstallon is a particularly pleasant - and easily rideable - section of this route.

Hi - lots of people "hate A-roads". To avoid the20 unbroken A39 miles to Camelford you might prefer the B3266 option I discussed in "Alan 58 LEJOG setting off 6th May". I'm not flagging it up as "best" or "easiest" but IMHO it is a very pleasant alternative to the A39 for a small mileage increase and a little LESS elevation. Good luck with the tour !

Where does this leave LEJOGers on a tandem then ? Do they qualify for only half a LEJOG each ?

The Post by Alan 58 is "Lejog setting off 6th May"

Everyone is seeking that "sweet spot" combination of flat / fast / scenic / traffic-free /tailwind / free beer ! ! ! etc. ----- it doesn't exist, especially in Cornwall/Devon. You need to find the trade-off between those criteria that makes it the best route for YOU. Have a look at very recent Post by "Alan 58" to get a flavour of the route issues in the early days. Also, if you use the "search" for this forum and enter, for example, "Cornwall route" it will give a lot of helpful links.

Good luck, the route planning is half the fun !

for OP Alan 58 - (or anybody else looking for early days alternative route).

From your stated Hallworthy the popular (and least elevation route) to your stated Tiverton is via Launceston, Okehampton, Rob's passage - it's a great route. However, your plan to go via Hatherleigh is one I tried last year, a very scenic route ( for what it's worth it increases the elevation from 3000ft. to 3260ft but is 2.9 miles shorter). Hallworthy--Maxworthy--North Tamerton (after the stone bridge turn R.)-- Chasty--Staddon--join A3072 at Anvil Corner 2m E.of Holsworthy, it's more a country B road with good sight lines that u r on for 11 miles, and drop 400ft, to Hatherleigh. Then its a very linear route thro' Monkokehampton--Bondleigh-- bypass East Leigh--cross A377 to Morchard Bishop-- Black Dog--N out of Puddington to join B3137 to Tiverton.
Note-- as the B3137 drops twds. Tiverton cut the corner off by bearing R. onto Bakers Hill and at the bottom R. along King St then L to join the the 'Launceston route' as the A396 crosses the River Exe.

As I said in previous post, and +1 for Norman H. post, the best route is the one that is best for YOU. Rather than measuring your tour in units of distance, av. speed, elevation, it's best to measure it in units of enjoyment.

See Cycling UK website - non members can purchase it - It can be a good planning aid for u to base a personalised route on ------- of course the best route is the one that is best for YOU !

From Whitecross,via Camelford, to your stated Hallworthy the route via St. Columb Major would then include 20 unbroken miles of A39 so I agree with your choice via Bodmin area. At Whitecross turn R.onto A392 for 0.6 mile then bear L. to underpass A39, Ruthvoes, L. past Owl Sanctuary and flyover the A30 into Goss Moor nature reserve for a few flat miles on "old" A30, Victoria,then L. to flyover A30, N. to Inchs,R.thro' Tremorebridge, then L. and R. for a long sweeping downhill past Berry Lane farm to cross river Camel just W. of Nanstallon/Bodmin. You could then go straight up the steep road climb to meet the B3266 to Camelford but it's much easier to turn R. onto the Camel Trail (old railway) where you climb gradually for 7.6 miles up the valley (watch for sharp L. at 1 mile). You don't say what u r riding but I rode thro' last year on a medium weight steel tourer, rear pannier camping load, 700x28 semislicks with no problem, a decent compacted surface. The Camel trail ends at Wenfordbridge - cross over the bridge and R. to join the B3266 to Camelford. (This option from Whitecross to Camelford adds abt. 4 miles but saves abt 70ft. elevation (and a lot of traffic) compared to
A39 option !).
I stayed at a v.good campsite (Cherry Cottage, £10 2017) which is on your left just beyond the junction of B3266 and A39 as you enter Camelford. 0.6 mile pavement walk into centre of Camelford - good pub food/ale at Masons Arms. Or, just outside campsite there is a petrol station with well stocked mini-mart inc. hot snacks which is also great for breakfast and following day supplies.
To get to your stated Hallworthy,( you say you are not in a rush) I would suggest avoiding the long awkward A39 climb from Camelford and pick up NCN rt. 3 which goes round Crowdy reservoir -- go down the lane directly opposite campsite entrance.

I'm envious of the time you have available for the journey - it certainly opens up your options. 6 weeks or so averages at abt. 23 miles a day. Does that allow you to take a more scenic, rural, quieter route even at the cost of some increased distance and elevation ? A lot of people wish to avoid primary/A roads due to the actual or perceived heavy/fast moving traffic. Anyone going for a record/fast LEJOG doesn't have a choice - but for you ? The popular route from Penzance following the A30 but with respite braids thro Hayle, Camborne,Redruth, Zelah, etc. can still be a bit busy. Have you considered the Cycling UK B/B based route (free to members) - a very pleasant ride through Cornish villages and farmland. You seem to be heading for Bodmin so both the above options will take you to Whitecross from where, once again, you have the option of routes to Camelford.

Hello all - 1st post and soon to do 1st LEJOG. Bike, strategy and route all sorted - Steel tourer, 28c semislicks,lightish camping rear pannier load,B roads and a few extra miles rather than mixing it with heavy A road traffic, ie. no great rush. On the basis of this strategy can anyone update me on the 2017 condition of the alternative paths and "old" A9 between Perth/Inverness. While I don"t mind, and expect, to have a bit more climbing than the main A9 ,not being in a great rush doesn"t mean I want to be mending multiple punctures and broken spokes due to debris and significantly poor surfaces. Thanx in anticipation of any replies.