march lejog cycling partners

[coll659]

This is my first post so firstly hello to everyone.

I am starting my Lejog journey on the 11th march and will be self supported, camping most of the way with occassional youth hostels. With all my gear my speed will be relativley slow.

If anyone is interested in joining me for a cycle weather it be for a day or the whole thing or even a coffee give me a shout.

Happy cycling

Colin

[oldmanonabike]

Hi Colin
Whats your route and timetable?

[Mick F]

Yes please.
Wot's your route and itinerary?

I'd be delighted to meet up and ride a while. I always enjoy meeting up with End2Enders.

[oldmanonabike]

I asked because we have a caravan at Ecclefechan which is on one possible route and depending on the day we could offer a coffee and a few miles company

[coll659]

hey there guys. n

My route is very similar to this one I found on the net: (I planned mine on paper maps)
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1334408
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1302596
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1302859
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1302933
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1303222
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1315892
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1315922
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1318666
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1318697
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1318714
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1318729

My route however is loose and I can alter or take detours if it suits people (or to reach a pub )

My ittinerary is also loose. I am looking at taking 2 and a half to 3 weeks in total starting on 11th march.

My route does take me straight through Ecclefechan so would that would be nice. I think il be there around the 22nd march (give or take a few days. wont know for sure until I start)

Would be delighted to meet you both on the way

[Duke3376]

Hi there coll,

On day 1 are you actually going to do that distance?.

On Day 5 you will be in my neck of the woods Preston Area, so if you would like I can meet up with you and cycle the best part of the day, I see that you are going straight through the centre of Preston, there is another way around Preston which isn't really advertised, it is part of the "Guild Wheel", this will take you around the east of the city and bring you out on the A6 just north of Broughton / Junction 1 of the M55 ready for the fast cycle to lancaster.

Let me know what you want to do.

Cheers

Duke

[Mick F]

Hi there coll,
On day 1 are you actually going to do that distance?.

That was going to be my first question, but I was going to add Coll does say he's going to take two to three weeks over the ride, so I very much doubt he wants to do LE to Tiverton on the first day!

The route down this end looks good to me. All I need is some sort of timescale.

[coll659]

Hi

I wont be doing that distance on day one. I found this route online which I liked however il be taking more days to do it than the person who made it.
I''l check out that route round Preston which i'll most probably opt for. cheers for that. And yeh I'l try figure out what day i'l be round Preston area and let you know. hopefully you'll be able to join me.

Hi Mick. I'm going to go through my route again today. I'm aiming to average around 50-60 miles per day so il try and figure out a rough timescale

colin

[coll659]

Okay so iv been through my route and heres a rough plan on every nights stopping places:

day 1(12th march) - lands end - Wadebridge
day 2 - Okehamton
day 3 - Taunton
day 4 - south of Bristol
day 5 - Hereford
day 6 - south of shrewsbury
day 7 - Tarporley
day 8 - Preston
day 9 - Kendal
day 10 - South of Glasgow
day 11 - Crianlarich
day 12 - Glencoe (maybie fort william)
day 13 - Inverness
day 14 - Bonar Bridge
day 15 - Loch Loyal
day 16 - Thurso
day 17 - John O Groats

What do you think? (as you can probally tell im not great at the planning. I usually just jump on my bike and see what happens)
This is not set in stone but will close (maybie give a day later on in the trip)

[phil parker]

Of the days and legs you list - I've camped at:

Wadebridge
Oakhampton
Glastonbury (south of Bristol?)
Shrewsbury region
Tarporley
Kendal
Couldn't find a campsite south of Glasgow (other than Abington)
Crianlarich
Glen Coe and Fort William
Inverness
Thurso
John O'Groats

If you require any info or recommendations or ideas etc...

[bogmyrtle]

Are you planning to use campsites or wildcamp? If campsites, make sure you check they will be open in early March? Quite a few will open up just before Easter which this year is at the end of March.
Also bare in mind that snow is likely in March.

[phil parker]

I did LEJOG In mid March, a few years ago now, and it is a good tip as I had to check the campsites and indeed change some intentions, during the planning stage, dependent upon campsites being open, but most of the areas I mentioned were.

[oldmanonabike]

Cressfield caravan park at Ecclefechen allows camping and has decent coin operated showers, washer and drier open all year round I have the phone number somewhere if you need it

[coll659]

Hi thanks for your help and advise guys.

I will use a mixture of campsites and wild camping (the odd youth hostel probably). I did think about the campsites being closed but if they are I will just find somewhere to wild camp for the night

Thanks phil. would you recomend all of these campsites or should I avoid any of them?

I'l check out the campsite at Ecclefechen aswell thanks.

[Duke3376]

Coll,

I would really recommend you try and use some of the Travelodges, I used quite a few on my lejog and they were well worth it, I got them for £15.00, I also used the SYHA at Oban again for that it was £12.00.

Duke.