Cycling UK Forum

Many thanks for all input and advice. The mind boggles at the so many ways to skin this particular cat! The route planning is hard - the main decisions seem to be 'to north cornwall ' or not, to go into Wales or keep in England...and then in Scotland - the Arran, A82, A9 debate. I've got maximum 14 days of cycling. I'm definitely stopping in Chester overnight for some parental pampering. I'd also like to stop a night in Glasgow - but this isn't a 'must'. I want it to be reasonably scenic and quiet on the roads but this one isn't a mosying along holiday of sightseeing incorporated either. In common with most I want to avoid the hilliest of routes. Any gems to contribute to these confusions would be appreciated. My computer is playing up and can't currently load the journal/blog/routes on the Lejog resource site.

Thanks Mike. I had at a million questions in there and you did a pretty good job at addressing most of them. My maximum number of days on the road would be 14 to allow me to get to and from home. I'm pretty fixed on doing it at Easter unless we get the next 2 months of snow. I'll do what I can to get myself as fit as possible in that time. After reading your report (which was great, btw) I'll look into the east coast option and also spend some time on the 'managing Preston' issue! Oh, and the Audax thing...ha,ha...no, a means of training, no ambition to win it!

This is a great forum. I've picked up lots of gems already as I venture whole-heartedly into the world of cycling (prematurely knackered knees have brought this about ...but no bad thing!). Anyway, I'm planning to do Lejog in April - ideally would do it later in the year but constrained by teacher holidays and there is no way I'm going to do battle with the Scottish midge in the summer (been there too often and too painfully). It is probably a bit soon training wise and I'm berating every day that brings ice or snow and I can't get some valuable and much needed practice in.
I'm sure some of these questions have been answered somewhere on here before so please be patient
1. I'm pretty much going to do it solo (some friends maybe cycling some days with me) and had planned to base it on the CTC Youth Hostel route - 12 days to 2 weeks. From those of you who have done this, are there any bits that you would advocate changing or any parts of the itinerary that you think are unrealistic? Or can you point me to a resource which addresses this?
2. How do most people tend to navigate the route? Is a highlighter on Philips Road Atlas map enough or will I end up frustrated?! I'm prepared to invest in technology if it will really help and if I'll find it cost effective in the long term for other outings. If the latter, what is the recommendation?
3. Easter hols - to book accommodation or not to book that is the question? Again from you experienced people, does having a fixed abode for the night spur you on or is it just frustrating to have miles left in your legs and have to stop?
4. I have a Dawes Supergalaxy. At the moment I've got half and half pedals and not yet tried to clip in. Is it worth getting used to clipping in before Lejog? Does it really make that much of a difference? If so, is setting up the cleats etc. something I can do as a non mechanically minded lady or should I get them set up properly by a bike shop?
5. (Last question I promise...for now). I'm going to enter an Audax next month of 120km or so. That will be a stretch for me mileage wise at the moment but I feel like I do need to push myself. Not sure what the Audax world is all about really...will I look daft doing it on a tourer? Will everyone be on lean, mean carbon road machines and leave me for dust?
Thanks for anyone who can take the time to respond.
Claire