LEJOG 2023

[puffin]

A lot easier than a LEJOG and the boulangeries are better too (IMO)! I took 3 weeks including a couple of travel days but you can easily do it in 2 and sportif types would do it quicker again.

2/3 of the route i did was on bike trails (and not sustrans type bridle paths) and only 5500m of climbing in 800miles. There are more scenic routes with more climbing though (I’ll probably do something a bit similar next year but go over the Massif Central). Took the ferry and then the TGV to get to the south of france and cycled up to roscoff in Brittany for the ferry home. The classic route is supposed to be saint Malo to nice I think.

That is really interesting, thanks for posting. Looks like next year is sorted!

[puffin]

Just a last update after the dust has settled. I spoke earlier about how friendly and helpful people were. A special moment in the Cairngorms. I started the steep ascent at Cock Bridge (why is there never a name sigh there?). I got to the first viewing point, and there were a bunch of people watching me. As I ground to a puffing stop they applauded kindly. Being British I was of course unable to take the compliment, but was saved by a French couple who started asking me about the trip and how much my panniers weighed. All this in French, so it took a while. While we were talking my bike started rolling back then stopped, I looked behind in case I'd hit something, but saw the French lady had simply pulled my brake on without breaking her conversation.

Having bade farewell I started up the long alpine style road to the top. After a while a guy on a carbon bike came alongside and said "Pride to you". I looked bemused...puffed and bemused...so he went on to explain that he was in a group doing LEJOG but on a carbon bike with no panniers. He rode on past. On reaching the top he had assembled the rest of his group and support team to applaud me over the top, there was even a babe in arms clapping enthusiastically though on reflection his mother may have been operating his arms. If that group is on this forum....huge thanks!

This kind gesture was a massive lift, and was typical of the support cyclists seem to give one another...we are a close fraternity!

I foolishly shared this touching story of fraternity with my wife who looked at me earnestly and whispered, "They were clapping you because you are old, you know that, don't you?"

[mattheus]

Lovely story, puff!

[Paulatic]

Yes thanks for the story.

As the Wimps drove in to LE a group of young university lads were leaving. Our paths crossed a couple of times and as we rode into JOG they gave us a great reception.
Yeah possibly because we were old

[Mick F]

Old!

Last time I did an End2End it was a JOGLE on the Raleigh Chopper in 2010 ................. and I was only 58.
Been on loadsa rides since, and even century rides well into my 60s.

70s now, and it's becoming hard work on the Cornish Hills.

[puffin]

Yes thanks for the story.

As the Wimps drove in to LE a group of young university lads were leaving. Our paths crossed a couple of times and as we rode into JOG they gave us a great reception.
Yeah possibly because we were old

These are great moments and huge respect to the uni lads for taking the effort, it speaks well of them too.

[sparnel]

Well done! Great ride out story and your enjoyment shone thru! I've started planning for next June.
I've walked it - took me two & a half months, so hoping to do it a bit quicker this time!

[puffin]

Well done! Great ride out story and your enjoyment shone thru! I've started planning for next June.
I've walked it - took me two & a half months, so hoping to do it a bit quicker this time!

Hang on, hang on...you WALKED it?????? WALKED IT? Serious respect!!!!

[nosmarbaj]

Well done! Great ride out story and your enjoyment shone thru! I've started planning for next June.
I've walked it - took me two & a half months, so hoping to do it a bit quicker this time!

Hang on, hang on...you WALKED it?????? WALKED IT? Serious respect!!!!

I remember Barbara Moore walking JoGLE in 1960 - she wasn't the first but she was an accomplished self-publicist and her walk got a lot of press coverage at the time. She did it in 23 days! (Unfortunately it appears she was completely crazy; among other things she apparently thought it was possible to survive without eating and was near starvation when she died.)

[Paulatic]

I’ve met quite a lot of E2E walkers when I’m cycling en route.
The one that still stands out as the 'best arrangement' her husband had cycled LEJOG. She drove up to JoG and gave him the car to get home and she was walking back to LE.

[mattheus]

I’ve met quite a lot of E2E walkers when I’m cycling en route.
The one that still stands out as the 'best arrangement' her husband had cycled LEJOG. She drove up to JoG and gave him the car to get home and she was walking back to LE.

That seems to have so many benefits ...

[puffin]

I'm cycling Coast to Coast end of next week and have just discovered how close to the coast I am in Lancashire (I cross the LEJOG route after about only 20 miles). I never look far either side of the route.

[cycleruk]

I'm cycling Coast to Coast end of next week and have just discovered how close to the coast I am in Lancashire (I cross the LEJOG route after about only 20 miles). I never look far either side of the route.

Puffin where do your paths cross?
The Wimps did C2C in 2019 but it's about 50 miles to Penrith.
Hope the weather improves for you.

[puffin]

I'm cycling Coast to Coast end of next week and have just discovered how close to the coast I am in Lancashire (I cross the LEJOG route after about only 20 miles). I never look far either side of the route.

Puffin where do your paths cross?
The Wimps did C2C in 2019 but it's about 50 miles to Penrith.
Hope the weather improves for you.

Just South of Bentham, for me its after doing the big climb out of Slaidburn. Its going to be emotional.

Where did your route cross?

[cycleruk]

I'm cycling Coast to Coast end of next week and have just discovered how close to the coast I am in Lancashire (I cross the LEJOG route after about only 20 miles). I never look far either side of the route.

Puffin where do your paths cross?
The Wimps did C2C in 2019 but it's about 50 miles to Penrith.
Hope the weather improves for you.
[/quote]

Just South of Bentham, for me its after doing the big climb out of Slaidburn. Its going to be emotional.

Where did your route cross? [/quote]

Is that the "Way of the Roses" then ?
And hopefully a report on your ride please.
(I know the climb you mean out of Slaidburn. )