Cycling UK Forum

I did LEJOG with my Sister back in July 2013. 15 days B&B, Train Reading to Penzance & a lift home from JOG.
We shared a room at the B&Bs which kept the cost down.
It cost me £1100, including Train, B&Bs, food and drink along the way.
It did not include the equipment I purchased before I left, Garmin edge 800, Bike service £200 before I set off, Rack and panniers, water bottles.
So the Grand total would have been about £1500. So about £100 per day per person.
Also excluding loss of two weeks work (I am self employed) But you have got to live and enjoy your life.

Bottom line - Great experience and priceless memories of a great trip.

I used Travelpod in 2013.
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/he ... /tpod.html

We could upload pictures and a blog of each day. My sister and I each uploaded our own blog so we kept it all together.
It also has the option to create a book of the whole blog, which is great.

I would say try it out before you set off.

I got the eating wrong to start with. I did not eat enough.
After a few days we broke each ride in 20 mile blocks and stopped and eat.
so breakfast lunch and dinner could leave you short on energy.

I did a 14 day LEJOG in July this year. My training was a 15 mile each way commute which I did 3 maybe 4 times a week. I did not have much time on weekends but did do a couple of 34 mile Sunday rides and a one off 49 mile Sunday ride.

That was the furthest I had cycled in one day before I set off.

Was it enough? well you could always be fitter but I did not suffer too much. What I had to keep telling myself was NO RUSH. I had all day to cover the miles, my longest day was 85 miles, and at an average of 10 mph that is only 8.5 hours, 5 in the morning and 3.5 in the afternoon. You have got all day, take your time.

As has been said, you will get fitter as the days roll along. Eat plenty, just keep turning the pedals, and enjoy.

I loved it.

Welcome to the forum. and good luck with the ride.
I used a garmin 800 in July this year, great bit of kit. you can start planning your ride with a number of online programs, I used www.ridewithgps.com .
Your route is a personal thing and we all have different things we want to do and see. When I planned our route I wanted to cross the Clifton Suspension Bridge, the Seven Bridge and attempt The Struggle (Kirkstone Pass). The route I came up with was great and I loved every minuet of it, but if I did it again I would avoid a couple of very rough paths.
You have already made a big step by setting the date, which is not far away. I found the route planning very interesting but also time consuming, start now.
The worst part of my trip was the drive back from JOG. We were met by a friend who supported us for a couple of days and drove us and our bikes the 17 hours drive back home to Buckinghamshire. I think if I did it again I would travel to the furthest end, and finish at the end nearest home. I would say sort out how you are getting home as it may be easier to get home from LE.
The other two thing we did were to set up a Followmee account so close family could track where we were. Also a blog is a great way for people to follow your trip and for you to keep a record of it. We also have a paper map (relavant pages) with the route marked on, this was also an good place to make notes as we went along so we could look back and remember where things happened.
Take loads of photes.
Enjoy.

Day 1
Just After the 12 mile point we too the South West Coast Path. This runs between the Penzance station and the sea and will give you 2.5 mile of traffic free flat cycling, rejoins your route at 15 miles.
if you select the Bike Paths option top right of map the route will mbe shown in green.

Roads with speed limits over 40mph to have separate cycle path (not shared with peds)
This could be intoduced to roads when roadworks are undertaken.

I would normally agree that buses are to be disliked.

But this morning a No. 427 bus on the Uxbridge road was very considerate and observant. So much so I have sent an email the bus company.

As the bus was about to overtake me leaving plenty of room a person near the bus stop just ahead flagged the bus down. The driver slowed down and pulled in behind me, by this time a little past the bus stop to pick up the passenger. I wave to thank him, What a nice driver.

Thank you for all your help and guidance, this forum has been invaluable.

Well today is the 4th, time to go.

you can follow blog on

http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog/h ... /tpod.html

I leave on My LEJoG tomorrow, my thoughts are with the families.

I have also used this forum as a knowledge vault. I start my LEJoG on Thursday 4th July. Having read your post, I can't wait to get started.

All the best for your trip. I will follow your blog with interest. We may pass each other on Friday 5th July as we cycle Penzance to Rock, having started at Lands End on the 4th July. I will keep an eye out for you.

notlobgp14 wrote:Hi

See my route from the M56, North through to Standish on the A49. I have ridden this and find it much better than the ride up through Warrington and Wigan. At first you are heading due West but soon turn North again. This is a much more rural route than staying with the A49 and it avoids Haydock Island on the A580 as you arrive there further West.

Are you using a GPS for route finding?

M56, Warrington, Billinge, Standish http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2668657

Garmin Edge 800, still not got it work exactly as I want, but I am happy with loading tracks and following them.

I like the look of your route, skirting Warrington and Wigan, I will modify the route tonight.

Thank you.

MattyDeez
I have driven up 'The Struggle' and fancied giving it a go, would have liked it to be a bit later in the day. I just hope the mist is not too low that day.

RickH
Hope the brakes are up to it.
Thanks for your comments re the route. I have modified the route to avoid the dual carriageway.

Nareloc
Thank you for taking the time to look at the route. I have amended the route to take into account you comments. I am reluctant to use tow paths unless they are recommended, as some can be hard work.

Mick F wrote:Indicating:
Do not indicate if there is no-one there except you. What's the point in indicating to overtake if there's no-one behind you?

to indicate your intentions to the road user you intend to overtake.