Cycling UK Forum

Excellent post Steve!
I am the Scotsman that you met in Cornwall. Definetly unsupported, camping, hostel and the occasional B&B is the way to go. Everyone who does this finds their own way and their own voice. On my own I found great generosity and friendly folk that I do not think that you would experience in a group with backup. You learn so much about yourself and fellow humans this way. Never booked anything and yet even had a whole dormitory to myself in Welsh Bicknor hostel. Never was charged for a campsite when told it was a charity bike ride( Alzheimer Scotland ). The main reminder being the ridiculous tan lines on legs and arms! What next? Continental Divide or Coast to Coast?

Or have a look at www.rayjardine.com. I tend to use a combination of "stealth camping" like del ports and luxury B&B depending on weather and hygiene considerations.

I ride a regular route to work and have observed improved driver behaviour since doing so.I reckon that you can train them. Imagine that you are Brian Blessed riding a bike. Use exaggerated hand gestures and acknowledge positive behaviour with a friendly wave. Ride in the primary position and wobble now and again. A recumbent rider once told me that a driver would not hit a wheelie bin parked in the middle of the road but if you ride in the gutter you are inviting your self to be forced off the road.
Having said all that I would rather ride a quite B road than a busy A road but sometimes needs must ,as in negotiating Preston!
Be assertive but not too assertive it is a question of experience and judgement.
Lots of anecdotes but will not do so online.
Start from LE on 19 July finish JOG 6 August mainly CTC Yha route but will diverge. Big guy with a Scottish accent,Dawes Audax and saddlebag. If you see me stop for anecdotes and tall stories,e.g. The famous Loch Lomond drum ups, riding with Robert Millar, how to make Belgian mix and the Spar shop athletes diet.

In Scotland try
An Ecclefechan cake
AKilmarnock pie
A Forfar Brodie
An Aberdeen Rowie
Cullen skink
Moray cup
Dingwall black pudding
A scone
A Selkirk bannock
Ayrshire bacon
Edinburgh rock
Dundee cake
Scotch whisky(running out of ideas)
Big Malky running on Irn Bru.

What a great post!
Impressed with ferrit worrier and even more so with Mick Fs E numbers although as a relative of a certain William Thomson I still have a sentimental attachment to classical physics.
And I am still not booking accommodation. Looking for a bit of quantum randomness.
Malky Thomson
Free spirit.

Right now I have an iPhone what is the best route finder app?

Thanks for all the great replies.
Trains now booked,iPhone ordered and now just to sort the bike out.
A seven year old Dawes Audax. Nice comfy and strong steel frame. Might just upgrade the wheels, new cassete block and chain, brake blocks and oh my saddlebag has just fallen apart but it is 35 years old. Carradice camper long flap perhaps?
Setting off from LE on 19 July and trying to raise some money for Alzheimer's Scotland will see how it goes.
Caledonian - I am not the Cali fitb a coach - but am a fan.
Now where's that old road atlas?
Malky.

My goodness what an organised lot you are.
I am planning Lejog in July. Well I call it planning!
Get on the sleeper from Inverness, get off at Penzance, start pedalling.
No pre booking accommodation, no gps mapping systems, no new bike.
Am I doing something wrong?

Much joy in the North,
Big Malky.