Route for LEJOG - any major issues?

[PH]

Seeing as you’ve gone as far east as Nottingham were you not tempted to take the ‘easy east coaster’ from there. https://cycle.travel/route/lejog_east_coast

Hmmm - to be honest, I wasnt aware of it! I will have a look at this, I have various places I would like to visit following our trip to scotland last year, however in England I'm not married to the route I have chosen...and the accommodation is provisionally booked, so the odd change could be made...I will check it out. Thanks, Pete

In that case, here's my East of Pennines route, just to give an idea of the possibilities. This one was chosen to avoid urban areas and not be gratuitously hilly, though it doesn't shy away from a few where they're the best option.
https://cycle.travel/map/journey/342206

[puffin]

The section parallel to the A74(M) is dull and the road rough (unless resurfaced of late). A route via Eskdalemuir (Buddhist retreat there) and up to Innerleithen then Edinburgh offers a more interesting route. You can get on the cycleways / disused railways to get across Edinburgh to the bridge.

I'd go along with this too, its the route I take, hope this helps
To Innerleithen https://ridewithgps.com/routes/22969359
Innerleith to Perth via Edinburgh https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38276338
Best wishes Bill

[puffin]

North of Inverness, just past Evanton, I go inland via Bonar Bridge, Lairg, Crask Inn. It's a beautiful ride.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45022745

[toontra]

The section parallel to the A74(M) is dull and the road rough (unless resurfaced of late).

Agreed. I don't think it's likely to be resurfaced any time soon (if ever) as it's effectively an abandoned service road with little traffic, mainly HGV's. I used to use it for the Lockerbie truck stop but that's sadly gone - I think I was the last person to sleep there the night before it closed

[Freeweel]

The section parallel to the A74(M) is dull and the road rough (unless resurfaced of late).

I'd second this. Worst day's ride of my entire lejog earlier this year. One to avoid, the road surface was the worst I encountered and made a long day feel like a lifetime. If it's of any use, I did blog the journey... https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/lejogging/

Best of luck, it's an amazing adventure!

[nickyboy]

The route you've chosen from Wirksworth to Hazel Grove is really nice....but really hard!

Up to you of course but if it was me I would ease back a bit. There are a few bits where you are climbing for climbing's sake. If you want a few alternative suggestions or even little tweaks to take out the toughest climbs let me know as I ride that area a lot

[Ron]

Any thoughts on the route - have I picked any nightmare roads which I should avoid?

Your route in Inverness takes you through the Longman Industrial site which is fairly tortuous going through a maze of businesses large and small with commercial vehicles picking up and dropping off loads and parked wherever their driver chooses, I never think of it as being cycle friendly.
You might consider not turning left off King Duncans Road but continuing down to the T junction with the dual carriageway (B865)and crossing the carriageway via the Toucan crossing. Take a right turn after the crossing and follow the joint user path up to the Raigmore interchange. Bear left at the top and follow the joint user path that runs alongside the A9. At the Longman roundabout, continue on the path which bears left at the roundabout and carry on for 50 metre or thereby and rejoin your planned route to cross the A82 .

[BobSweet]

Do not be tempted by the roundabout at the A560 in Timperley, south Manchester. Follow the road up a bit away from the roundabout as your route suggests. The roundabout is fast and wide. You cannot ride across in the time it takes a car to come around. There is also a crossing point the other way.

Brooklands roundabout.JPG (29.28 KiB) Viewed 1663 times

Also after Stretford you have come off the canal towpath too early. Stay on the route marked as 82 as marked on the web site. The canal divides (Not obvious on the map), stay left. Canal towpath has a good surface, narrow (1.8m) but not busy. Much better than the busy roads you picked and about the same distance.

Bob Sweet

[RickH]

Do not be tempted by the roundabout at the A560 in Timperley, south Manchester. Follow the road up a bit away from the roundabout as your route suggests. The roundabout is fast and wide. You cannot ride across in the time it takes a car to come around. There is also a crossing point the other way.Brooklands roundabout.JPG

Also after Stretford you have come off the canal towpath too early. Stay on the route marked as 82 as marked on the web site. The canal divides (Not obvious on the map), stay left. Canal towpath has a good surface, narrow (1.8m) but not busy. Much better than the busy roads you picked and about the same distance.

Bob Sweet

I didn't find that roundabout to be a problem when I came that way back in April. I don't recall it being notably bad but I've only done it once (so far).

Track of my route from Strava (07/04/2024)