Cycling UK Forum

I'll be doing a solo 7-day LEJoG in May. If anyone fancies joining me for part of any of the days the schedule is:

18th: LE - Tiverton
19th: Tiverton - Leominster
20th: Leominster - Lancaster
21st: Lancaster - Galashiels
22nd: Galashiels - Pitlochry
23rd: Pitlochry - Alness
24th: Alness - JoG

I'll be setting off around 5.30am each day and aim for an average speed of around 15mph.

Yes, I bought a bike off them at Xmas. Got a good discount. The bike needed a couple of set-up fixes when it arrived - they offered to take it back and do the work themselves or pay for a LBS to do it (after seeing an estimate). I ended up doing the work myself just to get out on the road ASAP!

I had very good service throughout. I spoke to the technician several times to discuss various options, and they were quick in doing the work. They also used a great courier company who rang in advance to make sure I was home.

All in all, highly recommended!

Mick, several people have recommended this: http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b88s71p595
over the Stein Hypercracker. Works in exactly the same way but is apparently more reliable (same price also).

dgibby wrote:
It really is pot luck. I did LEJOG at the end of May 2007 and had wind assistance (i.e. behind me) on all but the last day (where I was pedalling down hill doing 3mph!)

I was doing London-Aberdeen on 24th-27th of May 2007 and had headwinds/sidewinds the whole way, the northerly headwinds hitting gale force when I reached Scotland! Mind you, my route was largely nor-westerly whereas LEJoG is mainly nor-easterly.

Mick F wrote:"We can do you a nice single denture on the NHS for about £150, or a bridge for £500."

A note of caution about bridges from someone who had 6 done in the early 90's. Every time a tooth is filed down to make it take a crown (or end of a bridge), there is a significant increased likelihood that the tooth will fail later, even if it was perfectly healthy before.

My dentist at the time never once mentioned the increased risk. I know all about it now, however, after 2 years of treatment at the Eastman Dental Hospital!

I'll second that! BTW, they also have a branch in Crouch End.

keithg wrote:Has anyone got a more elegant solution to mounting these with caliper brakes that doesn't involve too much mucking about with your front brakes.
I see Chris' solution is practical but the lights seem a little vulnerable there and I'd like a really robust mounting in front of the headset if possible.
I have Shimano 105 brakes, do I just need a longer central pivot bolt, are they available and where?
Cheers

You need one of these.

This replaces the nut going through from the back and gives plenty of extra mounting options both on the front and rear of the fork.

Mick F wrote: I was directed off the road by huge yellow signs. I HATE bike tracks and pavements - I ride on the road - I ride a vehicle! Vehicles go on roads!

By the time I reached the FRB ..............

Please read lejogandback.blogspot.com for my experiences.........

Hah! Just reading your blog and came to the bit about ending up in a field trying to get to the Forth Road Bridge. I ended up in exactly the same field (I think) on my first London-Montrose trip! It was 6am and I was standing in the field swearing and cussing, and promised myself I'd never try and follow a Sustrans route ever again!

BTW, it hasn't improved (at least not by last May). Did you ever send that letter to the council?

cranky1 wrote:Whats all this about ther forth road bridge tho' and the A 90 closed to cyclists is the alternative route signed ?

Basically you have to leave the A90 at a junction near Craigiehall and follow the Sustrans Route 1 to the bridge, but it's a bit tricky and not very intuitive (or well signposted for that matter).

Thanks for the confirmation Mick. I'll keep an eye out for the Mendips!

I've just finished mapping out the .gpx route files for the whole trip. I've had to include a couple of slight detours to accommodate Travelodge stop-overs (they have a sale on at the moment for pre-bookings and I quite like TL's - they let you take your bike into your room!).

It's now: Land's End, Tiverton (TL), Leominster, Lancaster (TL), Galashiels, Pitlochry, Alness, JoG.

This spreads the mileage out a bit better, though it's still weighted towards the first few days, which from experience is how I prefer it.

Thanks ransos. The A38 it is then. Seems far more direct anyway.

I'm going to change the thread title as this may be useful stuff for others.

Mick F wrote:From there you're onto the A38 old trunk road. Major route in the old days before the M5 opened. As you're getting out of Devon, the flatter and easier the terrain is. Until, that is, you reach the Mendips south of Bristol ...

I noticed that on their day 2 route they branch off the A38 near a place called East Brent and head off up the A370 (via Weston Super Mare). Does this make sense to you? Could it be to avoid the Mendips, or is it just a quieter road perhaps?

Actually, one more thing (as Columbo would say). Any idea what the A361 east of Tiverton is like? This seems like the shortest way to join up with the day 2 route at Appledore (worth bearing in mind I'll be doing this between 5 - 6 am - I always set off early when going distance).

That's brilliant Mick - exactly the input I was needing. Everything you say makes sense, and as you are from down that way I will take your advice on day 1 and head to Tiverton via Oakhampton.

I will be using the Fourth Road Bridge. I cycle from London to Montrose each year in May and go from Edinburgh to the bridge, so I know what you mean about the road being closed to bikes - got badly lost the first time but think I can navigate it in the dark now!

As for the stretch north of Inverness, I've heard the Altnaharra route is very pretty, and as I've never cycled in the highlands before I thought it would be a fitting final day.

As for transport, I'll get the train from London-Penzance the day before, and my brother says he will collect me + bike from JoG, although if he can't make it I will probably cycle back down to Montrose where I will be recuperating.

Any other advice gratefully received, and thanks so much Mick!

Cheers Mick