Search found 64 matches

by bluelagos
5 Oct 2020, 7:21pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Want to do LEJOG for charity - wife has cancer
Replies: 49
Views: 5432

Re: Want to do LEJOG for charity - wife has cancer

the_journey wrote:Hi thirdcrank,

Thanks for your post.

I 100% agree about the poor planning. That's why I appreciate every single reply on this thread. I've received more than I anticipated because despite my emotional plea for advice, I am aware that my idea is basically foolhardy.

In case it wasn't apparent already, I think most people realise my idea comes from a place of both pain and the desire to feel like I can do SOMETHING to help my wife's situation.

It's horrible to realise someone close has a life-threatening illness. I'll never forget the day we told our 12 year old son. Everyone deals with such news in their own way. Being in the middle of an emotional situation, hearing others' opinions can help guide. There is no right or wrong.

Not sure about the "net loss" bit. How is planning something that could raise money, possibly awareness (think adjunctive therapy, or helping a family pay the bills), a net loss? I don't get that.

Spending money on equipment to do something enduring is not a potential loss, it's all forward! Positivity. Maybe it's perspective. I don't know.

I'm not even worried about the idea of enduring 1000 miles. Honestly, if my wife was having her treatment in November, I 100% guarantee you I'd be leaving this month.

Anyway, yes, you're correct, it's VERY poorly thought out. I had the idea to do the ride (one night, tipsy and all) and within 12 hours I created an account here and posted this thread.

As mentioned, I do appreciate your comment. Every bit of feedback gives me perspective so, thank you.

Cheers


I think you have wisely figured out that starting a LeJog without preparations is unlikely to end well, even with your levels of determination. I'd definitely not just drop the idea though. Why not set it as a medium term target? Get fitter, keep your mind busy and hopefully raise a few quid for a good cause?
by bluelagos
5 Oct 2020, 1:46am
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: crab hand
Replies: 16
Views: 2191

Re: crab hand

simonhill wrote:Do you have any aches in any other joints? Fingers, knees, feet/toes, shoulder, etc?


Coming up 2 weeks since finishing and all good.
by bluelagos
4 Oct 2020, 7:00pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: crab hand
Replies: 16
Views: 2191

Re: crab hand

Jdsk wrote:Thanks for the update.

Did you change anything?

Jonathan


Tried to move my hand position a tad, but not enough I guess. Kind of guessed it was nothing serious, just another thing to monitor I guess.
by bluelagos
3 Oct 2020, 7:20am
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: crab hand
Replies: 16
Views: 2191

Re: crab hand

Quick update for anyone reading this with similar issues. A week post LeJog and fingers are now fully functional once again. Definitely not something I foresaw as had no issues whilst training. Guess 10 hours in the saddle day in day out with limited position was the issue...
by bluelagos
3 Oct 2020, 7:16am
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Want to do LEJOG for charity - wife has cancer
Replies: 49
Views: 5432

Re: Want to do LEJOG for charity - wife has cancer

the_journey wrote:I can see 29 views at the time of this writing. . . . <snip> ..


Your desire is admirable, I would maybe suggest setting it as a goal to work towards? I did 4k miles training (from a low base) and others I know did similar preparation.

How much cycling do you do a week already? If you cycled 100 miles tomorrow could you do the same the next day?

I think posters would need to understand that before giving appropriate advice.

And good luck to your wife in her treatment, a focus such as a fundraiser may be a great way to keep busy in difficult times, just make sure it is realistic and achievable.
by bluelagos
25 Sep 2020, 1:02am
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Working towards a LeJoG in September
Replies: 97
Views: 9565

Re: Working towards a LeJoG in September

nickyboy wrote:
Jamesh wrote: Not sure why anyone would incorporate a day like Buxton-Skipton right through the High Peak on a LEJOG


The guy who pulled it together wanted it to be far more than simple LeJog, hence the island hopping in Scotland. Ultimately it wasnt the trip for novices, we messed up in booking what we thought was a similar one to the one that cancelled on us.

But I did 1261 less the 43 so did most of it. Official climbs of guy who did it were 91k and I google mapped the bits I missed and worked out my ascents were 89k

And it gives me an excuse to try a self supported, flatter route next year. George can'-t walk without a zimmer but was out on his bike this week. Had to drop the bike on his lawn to get off it :D
by bluelagos
25 Sep 2020, 12:54am
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Working towards a LeJoG in September
Replies: 97
Views: 9565

Re: Working towards a LeJoG in September

nickyboy wrote:
Jamesh wrote:I'd like to know what route took you to Skipton?

Did you visit hull or newcastle enroute too??

Cheers James

My guess would be Long Hill to Whaley Bridge, Glossop (where I live), Holme Moss (!), Slaithwaite, Sowerby Bridge then somewehre like Oxenhope, Skipton
That's a proper nutter's route

Our LEJOG Day 6 is Glossop to Tebay. 96 miles and 5k ft of climbing by comparison. First 40 miles aren't the most scenic but after that it's ace. Not sure why anyone would incorporate a day like Buxton-Skipton right through the High Peak on a LEJOG


So we srarted at Buxton that day. Place names I recall include Holme Moss, Sowerby and Hebden Bridge. Have the Gpx files if anyone is mad enough to want to follow thsm.

The day we did this one there was a sportive coming the other way. They were doing well over 100 miles including Holme Moss and the Cat and fiddle. Both in much harder directions than our route apparently. Some of them were flying up the hills too...
by bluelagos
23 Sep 2020, 8:06pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Working towards a LeJoG in September
Replies: 97
Views: 9565

Re: Working towards a LeJoG in September

Paulatic wrote:A great achievement @bluelagos.
Can you do me a favour and keep that route well hidden. 90+K of climbing :cry:


Is ridiculous isnt it. We trained for a tour that wasm1050 miles with max 6k and plenty of 2-4k days. Then they cancelled and we end up on one doing 1250 miles and majority of days were 6k...

Not ideal but charachter building!
by bluelagos
23 Sep 2020, 1:04pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Working towards a LeJoG in September
Replies: 97
Views: 9565

Re: Working towards a LeJoG in September

thirdcrank wrote:Well done!

It's good that you have been able to maintain this thread. Over the years, there have been quite a lot of threads from would-be lejogers - often relatively inexperienced riders - looking for advice on things like building their capabilities and it should be good to be able to point them to your experience.

Now you have achieved your aim, keep it up. Don't relax too much as the nights draw in and Autumn begins.


Thanks. And big thanks for all the tips. I literally didnt have a clue when I started. Still dont have much of a clue. Defo have a sore buttock, sore legs and raised 2k so well chuffed :D
by bluelagos
23 Sep 2020, 9:46am
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Working towards a LeJoG in September
Replies: 97
Views: 9565

Re: Working towards a LeJoG in September

Looks like 90k feet! One guy tracked his at 91017ft and 1261 miles on Stava end to end.

I missed 12 downhill miles into Skipton, 7 into Windermere and 24 flatish to Ayr...

Will google them to get an exact figure, but looks like we climbed Everest 3 times!!
by bluelagos
22 Sep 2020, 11:39pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Working towards a LeJoG in September
Replies: 97
Views: 9565

Re: Working towards a LeJoG in September

Made it in one piece, 63 miles according to my phone app.

Got a thorough soaking around midday, but tbf had superb weatber overall.

Saw quite a few JogLers in the last few miles approaching Wick and then JoG. Good luck to them all.
by bluelagos
21 Sep 2020, 6:26pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Average speed (laden) for LEJOG
Replies: 37
Views: 2933

Re: Average speed (laden) for LEJOG

afanasiew wrote:

...4 other things will too.

Hills
Poor road surfaces
Rest/feeding time
Fatigue

All of these meant that at worst, we were averaging 7 to 8 mph where my normal speed is upto 15mph.

So worth taking on view on those too, fair to say the hills in the SW on gravelly lanes are slower than fhe flat lanes in Essex!


Hi

How was your state of fitness? Your normal speed was 15mph on the flat, but was that laden?

My training rides will necessarily by hilly, here in Dorset. I'm currently fit for walking (e.g. a recent 30-miler with 5,250 ft of ascent), but that doesn't translate directly into cycling fitness - yesterday's 20-miler has left my thighs tired! I'm also doing numerous exercises aimed at avoiding knee issues.

According to the guy on whose route mine is based, 90% is on tarmac, the rest on packed dirt of grass, e.g. towpaths.

I'd hope that, by going S > N, the prevailing wind will help rather than hinder but of course, in this country, you never know!

I tend to have a huge breakfast then only cereal bar/peanuts/isotonic en route, with maybe a coffee & cake thrown in.

So, I'd hope to average at least 10 mph, ideally 12 mph, but I certainly take your points about the obstacles to that target.

Cheers

Tony


My levels of fitness? I cycled 4k miles this year and was happy doing 70 milers. But, living in Anglia I had very little experience of hills and most of those miles was on good flat roads. So my 15 mph saddle time shrank quickly as our routes were on hilly crappy lanes. Think I would invest loads of time in searching out decent and safe A and B roads if I did it again given just how poor many of the sustrans routes are. Or get locals or Lejoggers advice from people who,know them and can recommend them.

Cant begin to emphasise how poor (gravel, potholes, steep) some were and had it been wet I'd say some of them would be treacherous /unrideable. And I am not overly cautious generally!

Good luck and am sure people on here can help finding a suitable route to suit your needs.
by bluelagos
21 Sep 2020, 6:09pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Working towards a LeJoG in September
Replies: 97
Views: 9565

Re: Working towards a LeJoG in September

Just 60-65 miles tomorrow and I'll be at the JoG signpost :-)

Weather is in the air for tomorrow...fingers crossed
by bluelagos
21 Sep 2020, 6:24am
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Post Lejog
Replies: 4
Views: 904

Post Lejog

2 more days and clearly will be much stronger in the legs now than 2 weeks ago...

So question for those who have done it, best way to retain some of that strength given I'll soon be back in flat suffolk/essex? And am a bit of a fair weather cyclist and winter is coming.

The idea of shelling out a fortune for peleton orr whatever its called does not appeal.
by bluelagos
21 Sep 2020, 6:20am
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Average speed (laden) for LEJOG
Replies: 37
Views: 2933

Re: Average speed (laden) for LEJOG

PH wrote:
bluelagos wrote:
afanasiew wrote:This is addressed to the more senior cyclists - I'll be 67 when I set off from LE next May.

I'll be doing a 1,080 mile LEJOG over 16 days, av 65 miles per day with av daily ascent of 2,800 ft.


I'd love to see details of your route. Sub 3k climbing sounds bliss!

A day? That sounds a bit high to me, I think mine averaged less than that over 11 days.


My route is mental, plenty of days over 5k, thnk we hit 8k one day. Wont be sure til have checked all the strava (new to me) but clearly going over Wales highest pass and up the penines,was never the low road :D

(Not my choice!)