JOGLE: Proposed Route : Feedback Very Welcome

[Cavs]

OK, just 6 weeks until my JOGLE (getting excited already) and after reading lots on this forum, below is my planned route
for an 11 day unsupported solo JOGLE.

In principal the major route is fixed - West Coast Scotland and via Chepstow/Bristol, however
I would really appreciate any experience or local knowledge to identify any major issues/errors/avoidable hills
anyone sees with my route.

Thank you for taking the time to look, it is very much appreciated.

Day 1: JOG To Tain = http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=375103
Day 2: Tain to Invergarry = http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=375104
Day 3: Invergarry to Crianlarich = http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=375107
Day 4: Crianlarich to Kirkmuirhill = http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=375109
Day 5: Kirkmuirhill to Carlisle = http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=375110
Day 6: Carlisle to Preston = http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=375111
Day 7: Preston to Shrewsbury = http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=375112
Day 8: Shrewsbury to Chepstow = http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=375113
Day 9: Chepstow to Wellington = http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=375114
Day 10: Wellington to Launceston = http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=375115
Day 11: Launceston to Lands End = http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=375117

Chris.

[CharlieS]

Good route, in principal, IMO and one I would be happy to do solo unsupported!

Enjoy your ride and I look forward to hearing how you get on.

[phil1965]

day 7...when near tarpoley go down eaton lane, was the old A49 .also whitchurch go through the town... bypass is mad.

[Big T]

A similar route to ours, but we followed the north coast to Bettyhill and took a more southerly route in Devon and Cornwall. We took 18 days though!

There's a long drag of a climb from Muir of Ord (Glen Convinth - about 7 miles) but you can get a good rhythm going up it, Watch out for the steep drop down in to Drumnadrochit. Some people don't like the A82 over Rannoch Moor, but we didn't find it a problem.

[Cavs]

Thanks Charlie - Good to know that I have come up with something not too far off the mark.

Phil - great feedback. I've adjusted my route accordingly.
You have proposed a less dangerous, 1 mile shorter, and more varied road route - thank you

Day 7 is now http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=375454

Big T - that route via Bettyhill North Scotland I would love to do with more time, bet the scenery/roads are amazing.

Thanks for the feedback, any other gems appreciated.

Chris.

[irc]

Day 3 - The A82 south from Balloch roundabout (junction with A811) is a bypass, dual carriageway, 80mph traffic, no hard shoulder. I would go A811, Luss Rd, B857, A812, A814, then rejoin your route.

[Cavs]

Thanks IRC, day 4 adjusted.

http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=375880

[Cavs]

For my Day 7 from Preston to Shrewsbury, seems many people take a route via Widnes/Runcorn.

My route tracks through Warrington instead.
http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=375454

Any local knowledge anyone can share to ensure I'm not making a mistake/horrendous route would be much appreciated.

[barneybear69]

I did lejog last August and hated the bit between Carlisle and Dumbarton. It would've been even worse if I'd gone via Glasgow.
IMO I think you'd be better off nipping across Erskine bridge(which has bike path) which would drop you into Paisley then you'd miss Glasgow(and it's heavy traffic) altogether.

[Cavs]

Thanks Barneybear, I'll take a look at that route - hadn't even considered it as an option to go that way.

I was intending to use the cycle path network through Glasgow and downloaded a booklet which made it
look quite pleasant. Maybe a bit of clever marketing going on

Appreciate the options and input though - different ideas are great!

[barneybear69]

I once did southern lochs and Glenn's sustains route Glasgow out to the coast and I didn't find it pleasant at all.

[RickH]

I was intending to use the cycle path network through Glasgow and downloaded a booklet which made it
look quite pleasant. Maybe a bit of clever marketing going on

The sparkle of the sunlight on the broken glass in places & the drunks under the bridges peeing into the river add a certain "character" to the route!
(at least those are my recollections from 2009 - it may have changed).

Rick

[irc]

Thanks Barneybear, I'll take a look at that route - hadn't even considered it as an option to go that way.

I was intending to use the cycle path network through Glasgow and downloaded a booklet which made it
look quite pleasant. Maybe a bit of clever marketing going on

If you just want a relaxing traffic free route the best way to do it IMO is to take the towpath of the Forth and Clyde Canal from Bowling and just stay on the towpath until the Glasgow branch finishes a mile north of central Glasgow. Then ride down the hill to join your planned route at Glasgow Green.

The only place you could go wrong is where the canal forks in Maryhill. Just stay on the towpath. The fork which requires you to leave the towpath and go under a bridge is the Edinburgh branch. The towpath has a good surface all the way. Anything from 28mm tyres upwards would be fine.

[RickH]

Anything from 28mm tyres upwards would be fine.

I didn't find it a problem with going that way on 25s

Rick.

[Cavs]

Brilliant - thanks - I've got 28mm tyres, so I'll take a look at that one.

I'd like to avoid drunks, broken glass and pee'ing in rivers if possible.

I remember Glasgow as a fantastic city, so maybe I'll give it a go - right through the middle.