Cycling UK Forum

Mick F wrote: I was directed off the road by huge yellow signs. I HATE bike tracks and pavements - I ride on the road - I ride a vehicle! Vehicles go on roads!

By the time I reached the FRB ..............

Please read lejogandback.blogspot.com for my experiences.........

Hah! Just reading your blog and came to the bit about ending up in a field trying to get to the Forth Road Bridge. I ended up in exactly the same field (I think) on my first London-Montrose trip! It was 6am and I was standing in the field swearing and cussing, and promised myself I'd never try and follow a Sustrans route ever again!

BTW, it hasn't improved (at least not by last May). Did you ever send that letter to the council?

Yes, I did.

A placatory reply, and a slope-shoulder about the FRB too. Apologies never-the-less, but I don't think anything will ever be done!

As I say, I HATE cycle tracks!

Being one of the two riders who did the unsupported 7 day ride mentioned at the start of this thread http://www.lejog06.co.uk I would have to say that Dartmoor on day 1 to Exeter was great. Yes it's hilly but why are you doing lejog, for good memories or just memories of being sucked along by big lorries? If there is one day that Henry and I still talk about nearly 2 years after the event it's the final thrash over Dartmoor on the first day, what a decent into Exeter!

You could stay on the dual carriageways and main roads a little to the North but where's the fun in that? I certainly know which is the more dangerous.

Go on...you have plenty of time to rest on Day 3, it's lovely and flat.

James

p.s. Good on you for doing it unsupported - we chose that way to go and glad we did.

Hah, I hear you, James. I'll wait for Mick to reply before I make up my mind! He seemed to think Dartmoor was a bit like hard work (and he does live there).

Actually, I've decided to make it a 6-day trip now! I've been doing a lot of training and seem to be getting good results on audaxes, especially with hills. That being the case, I'd be kicking myself if I did it in 7 days with a lot to spare in the tank at the end of each day. As you say, it's a once in a lifetime chance and with all the training I reckon I'll never be better prepared for a real challenge. I could always bale out after day 3 and revert to the 7-day plan if I crack up or if there is a persistent northerly (as there was last year at the end of May).

So, the new stops and approx. mileages are:

Tiverton 145
Leominster 125
Lancaster 145
Dalkeith 165
Aviemore 160
JoG 135

Day 6 is still up for grabs. The above mileage is for the coast route, although I still like the idea of a jaunt across the highlands, much for the reasons you say, James, just to make it a memorable day.

Good morning guys!

I've said on many a thread about Dartmoor words like:
It's a fantastic achievement to get over, the scenery's brilliant and the hills a challenge. But if the weather isn't in your favour, there is no shelter and no relief.

Best to skirt Dartmoor IMO.

However, if you want to do it, have an alternative plan if the weather looks iffy. I mean it - it's awful up there if you're caught out.

I know loads of LEJOGers have done it, and some of them will read this, and wonder what this idiot is talking about. Remember it's 1500ft above sea level up there, the wind and rain can be relentless - ANY time of the year.

Also 1500ft is about the highest point 'tween LE and JOG.

Do it if you want. You have been warned!

Have another route up your sleeve just in case.

Agreed about the weather Mick so perhaps another route on standby may be a good call.

Toontra,

Days 4 and 5 look like big days to me, fingers crossed for a tail wind for you as you enter the more rolling hills of Scotland. Still, if you've got the miles in those distances shouldn't be a problem, especially if you get some good miles in before breakfast.

We had absolutely horrendous weather on the slog up the Drumochter Pass (1500ft also) on the way to Inverness, fierce headwind, driving rain and somewhat colder than down south. At some points we were head down at 5 or 6 mph! Even with these conditions the scenery up there is awesome. These are the memories that stick with us when down the pub recalling our adventure!

I wish you hadn't mentioned ferocious headwinds, James! I'm already slightly phobic about this possibility having suffered such an event last year. I remember howling out loud in despair into the wind at one point - hope I didn't startle any locals!

The way I see it is, I'd like to get the miles in early, the easier the better, even if it means a less picturesque/memorable route. My "treat" will be going through the highlands on the last day if things turn out as I hope. By that stage I should be in a frame of mind to appreciate the landscape and not just worrying about getting good milages. But, as you say, so much depends on the elements.

I am still using 95% of your route though, James, for which I am very grateful. Yours was definitely the website that was my main inspiration, so many thanks.

Hey toontra

I was James's partner on our adventure. Just thought I'd chuck inmy 2 penneth. Regarding Dartmoor, there is no doubt it was the hardest part of the trip for me. I have never ever felt like getting off my bike and walking but then we were both grinding up in 39/23. Saying that as james said the decent into Exteter just goes on and on. we did it on a scorching day but it would be a different matter if it was blowing a gale.

There is a point on the road where you have to make a choice whether to peel off for Dartmoor or not (cant remember where, i'm sure James could tell you) perhaps you could have 2 routes in your pocket and if the weather looks stable, go for Dartmoor, if not take the safer route.

Regarding howling I do recall James and I having verbal releases on more than one occasion, usually relating to the pain in out @rses!

Hi Henry, and thanks for the feedback. I think I'm more or less committed to the Okehampton route now as I've booked (& paid for) a room at the Tiverton Travelodge and I can't see an easy route to there via Dartmoor.

Also, as I've got some long days later in the week, I don't want to take too much out of the legs early on. I've never done more that 4 150+ days back-to-back before so it's already unknown territory for me. I'll hopefully start to relax and enjoy things a bit more later in the trip.

As I said to James, thanks for the inspirational site. Hope you can leave it up for a while for others to benefit from. Cheers.

toontra wrote:...... booked (& paid for) a room at the Tiverton Travelodge and I can't see an easy route to there via Dartmoor.

You can go over Dartmoor, turning left at Two Bridges. That will take you over to Moretonhampstead. Turn right-ish there, and it'll take you along the B3212 to Exeter. Look out for that road, as it's not too well signposted. Don't follow the main road signposted Exeter as it will take you NW to Whiddon Down.

At Exeter, you'll pop out at a large roundabout. Head north a short way along the river on the A377 towards Crediton, then right onto the A396 via Bickleigh to Tiverton.

Thanks Mick. I've put the alternative route into my GPS and if there is a SW wind and it's a sunny day then I'll venture over the moor.

Great! Take care, but above all - ENJOY!

Hi Mike
You seem to be a very experienced guy on this topicand i bow dowen to that experience. im planning on a LE-JOG next July/August possibly alone but supported (hopoe a few others will join me). Im looking at 7 days would love to do it in 6 days but planning for 7 as I write. Whats your best route for that kind of goal. Any offers really appreciated.
regards
Patch

Hi, six or seven days is a bit fast, and as such, you need to use the trunk roads for much of the ride.
If you want a scenic route, it'll take you longer.

Here's a quick route:

Basically, you need to head out of LE on the A30 and stay on it for a while. Turn off at Indian Queens onto the A39 and head through Wadebridge and Camelford, and turn off onto the A395.

After Hallworthy turn off left via Egloskerry for Launceston. Then on the Old A30 for Lydford and Bridestowe. Stay on it until you reach the A386 and turn under the A30 dual carriageway and follow the road past the service areas and keep going. Go Right at the roundabout, and Right (almost straight on) at the next. This will get you to the Old A30 again and tun left into Okehampton.

There, turn left at the lights up the hill and east to Copplestone, Bow and Crediton. Head over the hills to Tiverton and then the A361 for the A38, and head north to Bristol. Cross the river Avon.
Find the A38 north out of the city, and keep on it to Gloucester.
Find the A417 via Ledbury and join the A49 and follow that all the way through to Warrington, Wigan, and Standish to Preston.
Take the A6 from Preston to Carlisle.

Quickest way from there, is to go up the Old A74 - B roads now - via Lockerbie and over Beatock to Abington.
From there, follow the A73 though the Lanark area and aim for A706 for the Bathgate area and A89/A899 and Kirkliston and to cross the Forth Road Bridge.

Go though Inverkeithing and head north via Kelty, Kinross, Milnathort and Glen Farg to Bridge of Earn and Perth.
Head north on the A9, and keep going to Inverness.
Cross the Kessock Bridge and keep on the A9 to Latheron.
Take the A99 to JOG.

Hope that helps, it was basically straight off the top of my head.

Hi Mike
Thanks for the prompt reply. Really appreciated. I forgot to mention i have already done it 2001 with 3 other guys and it took 9 days. Havent a foggiest idea of the route we took. Thanks again. May try to pick your brains agin in the near future if thats all right with you.
regards
Patch