Best Descents on LEJOG

Specific board for this popular undertaking.
puffin
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Best Descents on LEJOG

Post by puffin »

Does anyone else have favourite descents on their LEJOG routes? I have three in one day in the Scottish Borders, starting just past Fingland and ending in Traquair at 53.5 on the attached route. The one out of Fingland to Tushielaw is beautiful, but the next one has even better views.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/22969359
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Paulatic
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Re: Best Descents on LEJOG

Post by Paulatic »

Those three are on my regular rides it’s good to know you appreciated them.
Not sure what you saw in the first one down to Ettrick it’s just MMBS ( more miles of bl..dy spruce)
I do enjoy the second, Berrybush, and the third, Paddyslacks.
Four years on from my E2E I recall the climbs more than descents but distinctly remember the happiest days being in Shropshire, seeing the Bowland hills ( knowing I was back in the north :D ) and everything from Perth onwards.
Whatever I am, wherever I am, this is me. This is my life

https://stcleve.wordpress.com/category/lejog/
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Mick F
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Re: Best Descents on LEJOG

Post by Mick F »

My favourites were on the main A9.

Heading south from Drumochter, it's 25miles of freewheeling. Come off the Old A9 and get on it! :D
Longest continuous downhill in UK, I believe.

Heading north from the Daviot area to Inverness is less long, but still a whiz.
Mick F. Cornwall
puffin
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Re: Best Descents on LEJOG

Post by puffin »

Paulatic wrote: 31 Jan 2023, 8:41pm Those three are on my regular rides it’s good to know you appreciated them.
Not sure what you saw in the first one down to Ettrick it’s just MMBS ( more miles of bl..dy spruce)
I do enjoy the second, Berrybush, and the third, Paddyslacks.
Four years on from my E2E I recall the climbs more than descents but distinctly remember the happiest days being in Shropshire, seeing the Bowland hills ( knowing I was back in the north :D ) and everything from Perth onwards.
Bowland...the UK's best kept secret!!!
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Mick F
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Re: Best Descents on LEJOG

Post by Mick F »

Bowland is in Lancashire.

Ridden it many times as a teenager with my mate Paul.
I would ride from home in Newburgh to his place in Wrightington, and we'd set out north.

Head up the A49 to Bamber Bridge, then out on the A59 to Whalley to turn north through Bowland and pop out to the north of Garstang, to head south to Preston along the A6, and then home.

100miles or thereabouts.
Mick F. Cornwall
Jamesh
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Re: Best Descents on LEJOG

Post by Jamesh »

Did 100 miles to the F of B at new year.

Rode to dunslop bridge and up the trough of Bowland over the summit and turned round knowing that if I got to Lancaster the train would be too tempting!

Got a sausage in a roll at dunslop bridge on way home!
puffin
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Re: Best Descents on LEJOG

Post by puffin »

Jamesh wrote: 6 Feb 2023, 10:58pm Did 100 miles to the F of B at new year.

Rode to dunslop bridge and up the trough of Bowland over the summit and turned round knowing that if I got to Lancaster the train would be too tempting!

Got a sausage in a roll at dunslop bridge on way home!
I'll say it again; I have never cycled 100 miles in a day. Respect.
rareposter
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Re: Best Descents on LEJOG

Post by rareposter »

puffin wrote: 7 Feb 2023, 10:51am I'll say it again; I have never cycled 100 miles in a day. Respect.
It's easy, just ride 80 then do another 20. ;-)
puffin wrote: 1 Feb 2023, 11:03am Bowland...the UK's best kept secret!!!
If you're doing the Cicerone LEJOG route, there are two big descents through the Trough of Bowland - one north of Clitheroe coming off Waddington Fell towards Newton-in-Bowland and the other one north of Slaidburn coming off Cross of Greet to Bentham.

Two rather long climbs to the summit of them though!
Golflad
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Re: Best Descents on LEJOG

Post by Golflad »

Definitely for me :- the descent down into Dunbeath travelling North. Very exiting and more so because I knew that tomorrow I would be at JOG. Nice memories, thanks for asking.
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Mick F
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Re: Best Descents on LEJOG

Post by Mick F »

Dunbeath hill going north - or south - was a very different thing before they built the by-pass.
Don't get me on to Berridale! :D

Next time you're up at Dunbeath, look to the east towards the coast, and you can see the old road winding its way.
Look at the map, and you can see the old road down cross the river below the main new road, and then out on a tight steep tight bend.

BTW, it's pronounced DUN-BETH and not DUN-BEATH despite its spelling.
Screenshot 2023-02-11 at 15.58.34.png
Mick F. Cornwall
Jules59
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Re: Best Descents on LEJOG

Post by Jules59 »

Descending the Lecht towards Tomintoul was exhilarating to say the least.
It was the fastest Ive ever been on a bike and I dont think I want to go that fast again.
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Mick F
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Re: Best Descents on LEJOG

Post by Mick F »

What speed?

Fastest I've been was coming off Dartmoor down towards Tavistock, down "Pork Hill" on the B3357.
52mph. :D
Screenshot 2023-02-13 at 19.18.19.png
Mick F. Cornwall
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Paulatic
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Re: Best Descents on LEJOG

Post by Paulatic »

My best speed on LEJOG was 47mph dropping into Dunbeath I think.
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Whatever I am, wherever I am, this is me. This is my life

https://stcleve.wordpress.com/category/lejog/
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Jules59
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Re: Best Descents on LEJOG

Post by Jules59 »

Mick F wrote: 13 Feb 2023, 7:19pm What speed?
51 mph
Golflad
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Re: Best Descents on LEJOG

Post by Golflad »

My speed on the descent into Dunbeath was 42+ mph. Had to look where I was going and my eyes were watering!!!!!
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