As per Paulatic says, first half cycle path Glasson Dock end:-
https://maps.app.goo.gl/yT5222N3qaniCS8PA
The only problem with the grit section is it can flood in very wet conditions. (unless drainage has been improved in the last couple of years.)
Second half smooth tarmac all the rest of the way to Halton and beyond.
Edit. I don't know exactly when you will hit Garstang but the A6 in that area is currently being stoned.
Chippings are being laid down and this causes drifts of loose chippings at the road side.
If you come across this then I would suggest taking to the pavement as it is very sketchy riding.
LEJOG 10 days end of May
Re: LEJOG 10 days end of May
A man can't have everything.
- Where would he put it all.?.
- Where would he put it all.?.
Re: LEJOG 10 days end of May
My bad!gjkathome wrote: 22 May 2024, 10:11pmHi Puffin, can you check the link you posted above? Thanks.puffin wrote: 19 May 2024, 11:02amgjkathome wrote: 15 May 2024, 9:09pm Hi All,
I plan to set off from LE in a couple of weeks and have been working through multiple iterations of my route. Thanks to all who have contributed so much wise advice on this forum. It has been a huge help.
I would very much welcome any comments on the current version of my route. I also have some specific queries:I just did the A9 Perth to Inverness. I came out of Perth via back roads to Dunkeld, then down along the banks of the river crossing the A9 at the Jubilee Bridge......, actually here's the ride
- I have tried to plan shorter rides on days I think may be harder going. Do I seem to have got this about right?
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/178634518
This ride is the first half of the Perth Inverness ride. Once you join the A9 cycle path ( it's often the original A9) you encounter a range of surfaces, at worst some stretches of scalpings, but it seemed ok for my marathon plus tyres.
In the second path of the route the cycle path disappears and you cycle east via Carrbridge.
- I have opted for the A9 route between Perth and Inverness. I can see there are dedicated bike routes for much of the way. However, I really do not like gravel, especially as I can't squeeze anything bigger that 25mm under my front mudguard. Will I be OK?
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/177233502
-
Chris Ince
- Posts: 119
- Joined: 13 Jan 2008, 5:14pm
Re: LEJOG 10 days end of May
Don’t worry about the route from Perth to Inverness, it’s fine - on minor roads or cycle paths. The latter can be a bit lumpy on the way up to Drumochter Pass no worse than the average road in the UK. It’s a great route and far better than Glasgow-Drumnadrochit via the A82.
Re: LEJOG 10 days end of May
I completed my ride on schedule between the 28th May and 7th June 2024 in 10 and a bit days (the "bit" was Lands End to Newlyn the day before the start). I found it tough. The weather was cool to say the least and I had a 10-15 mph headwind from Bridgewater to Lanark. After that the wind was stronger, colder, westerly and no more helpful - until the glorious final day when it blew me along nicely. Wind plus luggage meant that most days took longer than anticipated so I had to compensate with early starts. No leisurely breakfasts.
There was only one moment when I seriously considered giving up. That was early in the morning on the way up to the Drumochter Pass riding into drizzle driven by a freezing wind and with the prospect of hail-storms ahead. Fortunately the sun came out at the top and the wind was slightly behind on the gentle descent to Aviemore so I was no longer tempted to get on a train.
I offer grateful thanks to my Endura Pro Adrenaline Race Cape. I'm no racer but I'm happy to recommend this to anyone. It weights almost nothing, folds up small and is commendably wind and waterproof. I wore it most of the time in Scotland. It and a thermal base layer (two of these at the start of the eighth day) kept me warm enough (just) when the temperature was in single figures even without the wind chill.
Thanks also to the many contributors to this forum who provided so much good, if sometimes contradictory, advice.
Here are a few notes on the route I followed.
Day 1 Lands End to Camelford
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2591503
I was pretty happy with this route. Apart from a few very stiff climbs after Penzance the terrain was rolling rather than hilly. The Camel Trail was fine for my 25mm road tyres. Not a fast surface but there were plenty of cyclists to say hello to.
Day 2 Camelford to Wellington
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2596623
The first half was a bit of a nightmare. Lots of steep descents on surfaces that got worse and worse as I got closer to the bottom. Steep ascents the other side of course. Surely there must be a better way? Certainly if I were doing it again I would take the A3702 between Holsworthy and Hatherleigh. The afternoon was much better, sensible rolling roads - though with the occasional 12% to remind me I was still in Devon. It was also very windy. Fortunately most Devon roads are about 10' below the surrounding countryside so I could proceed in calm air while what the BBC described as a "breeze" raged overhead.
There was a very nice café in Winkleigh which is disguised as Bissett's Garage and doubles as a florist.
Day 3 Wellington to Gloucester
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2593218
The Somerset Levels were as advertised, most of the route north of Bristol was flat too. I did a section of the Strawberry Line which, whilst not tarmac, was still a decent surface. The roads through the industrial areas around Avonmouth were unpleasant - busy with artics - but fortunately most had cycle paths alongside. The section of towpath past Slimbridge seems to be slowly going back to nature. It's not easy to avoid these last two without using the A38.
Shirley's Café in Severn Beach provided a welcome break. My main problem was the wind. A 10 mph headwind for most of the day.
Day 4 Gloucester to Knutsford
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2615099
I had a lovely start with sunshine and beautiful scenery close to the River Severn. I found the stretch around Wolverhampton difficult; either tiny, hilly lanes or busy urban roads. The headwind was at it's worst here too. After that things were much better. Pleasant rural roads with very modest gradients where I was able to make up time. I was booked in to the Travelodge on the M6. Not ideal as it's off route and has limited food choices - just M&S and Knetucky Fried by the time I arrived. It's accessible by bike via the service road off the A5033.
Day 5 Knutsford to Penrith
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2627683
As on the previous day I had a nice sunny start through pleasant lanes before joining the A573 south of Wigan. Wigan itself was fine but there was a nasty, draggy climb on the way out; shopping parades, dreadful road surfaces and a strong, cold headwind - disheartening. By the time I was past Preston the wind was so cold I was thinking of digging out my hat and thermal base layer - jacket was already in place. Fortunately, as I got nearer to the coast the sun came out, the wind swung to the west and it was like summer. The cycle path into Lancaster alongside the River Lune was fine, though I managed to get lost after the Millenium Bridge. There were then beautiful lanes en route to Kendal.
The climb to Shap was long but mostly not steep and was compensated by wonderful, wild scenery. I'm familiar with this sort of climb so trundled my way up. I assumed that the ride was pretty well done at the top with just a gentle drop down to Penrith. Sadly, it was not so. The headwind returned with a vengeance and there was still plenty of pedalling to be done.
Day 6 Penrith to Lanark
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2620478
This route looked OK on paper. All was fine as far as Gretna - except for a 20% climb near Sebergham, which I walked. The route was then dominated by a gentle climb on the old road that parallels the A74(M). The north wind imposed itself. That and the regular sections of dreadful road surface, (most of the matrix had gone just leaving small rocks embedded in what remained), made progress slow, painful and infuriating. Once at the top, (which was dominated by wind farms which tells its own tale), the wind was unleashed in full vigour, making the descent of the Clyde valley a discouraging experience.
Avoid this route when the north wind blows.
Day 7 Lanark to Pitlochry
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2620483
I had been quite looking forward to this one, the route didn't look too bad and crossing the Forth, would be exciting. The wind had also become a westerly, albeit another notch stronger and a couple of degrees colder, but that should help a bit across the central belt. It also brought rain, in bucket-loads near the start as I crossed a stretch of tree-less moorland. The very steep climb after Bathgate came as a big surprise and could have been avoided by sticking to the A7066. The Forth crossing was spectacular but I was spooked a bit by the gusty wind. I walked a bit until shamed into re-mounting when passed by a school-boy on an MTB.
The main problem, though, was the route I had chosen to Perth and then to Pitlochry. This made extensive use of designated "cycle and walking friendly" roads, all with 40 mph limits. Commendable, except the signs were often displayed at the bottom of 10% climbs - not friendly to my cycling. The profiles had looked pretty flat in advance. However, zooming in, as I have now done, reveals all the little peaks and troughs that are lost in the wider view. If I were doing it again I would investigate different possibilities between the Forth and Pitlochry.
The ride took much longer than expected leaving me feeling pretty battered. The worst day of the whole trip.
Day 8 Pitlochry to Inverness
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2620502
I started this one in a gloomy frame of mind. The previous day had gone badly and the forecast was for cold, wet and windy weather. I set out along Sustrans route 7 on the paths and minor roads alongside the A9. The wind and rain was in my face for the first 25 miles and the route had a nasty habit of introducing sharp turns, steep dips and climbs, and sections of very loose surface. I doubt many in mainland Europe would recognise this as a "cycle path". I became pretty depressed.
However once over the Drumochter pass (1508 feet, a tad higher than Shap) the route turned North East and the headwind became a tailwind. It was downhill all the way to Aviemore - and the sun came out. This now seemed a beautiful ride.
I anticipated further foul weather on the remaining stretch so bought waterproof gloves and thermal leg warmers in Aviemore. I put them on but the sun then shone and I took them off - in time to be caught in a hail storm. In the end though, it felt like one of the better days.
Day 9 Inverness to Altnaharra
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2620503
The ride out of Inverness on cycle paths beside busy roads was a bit miserable. It was raining, so there was lots of road spray. However the sun came out between Dingwall and Bonar Bridge and there were glorious views, including some across Cromarty and Dornoch firths. I was caught in heavy rain near Bonar but this soon passed and it was reasonably sunny thereafter. Bonnar was the first place I encountered other LeJoG riders. It was good to exchange tales and sympathy.
The climb to Lairg was easy on beautiful, quiet roads along the river valley. Much harder thereafter with the strong wind reducing my speed to a crawl on what were generally pretty flat roads.
Altnaharraha is famous for having once recorded a temperature of -27.2 deg. There was a nice coal fire blazing in the lounge.
Day 10
Altnaharra to John O'Groats
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2645339
The last day couldn't have been much better - well maybe another few deg. C would have helped. The route was North East then East and the wind started from the South West then swung round to the West. A 15 mph tail wind all day, at times it was like being on an e-bike, cruising up 4% gradients.
The start from Altnaharra was idyllic. 24 miles of mainly downhill, first alongside a loch then following a river down to the sea. All green pasture and lambs - and all under cloudless blue skies. My first view of the north coast was spectacular with blue seas and golden sands.
There was work to do though along the coast, starting with a climb from sea-level to 500 feet with some steep bits. That pattern continued for a while with fast descents to a small port then another climb. Somehow things had been arranged so that each peak was lower than its predecessor, so tiring legs were accommodated. The weather didn't quite maintain its good humour as the sun sometimes went away and it became cold and damp. It was pretty bleak by the time I reached John O'Groats. I tried to smile for the obligatory photo but evidently didn't succeed.
John O'Groats has several advantages over Land End including the absence of amusement arcades and the presence of a distillery and a brewery. The latter served me with an excellent pint.
I'm glad I've done it but I won't be doing it again!
There was only one moment when I seriously considered giving up. That was early in the morning on the way up to the Drumochter Pass riding into drizzle driven by a freezing wind and with the prospect of hail-storms ahead. Fortunately the sun came out at the top and the wind was slightly behind on the gentle descent to Aviemore so I was no longer tempted to get on a train.
I offer grateful thanks to my Endura Pro Adrenaline Race Cape. I'm no racer but I'm happy to recommend this to anyone. It weights almost nothing, folds up small and is commendably wind and waterproof. I wore it most of the time in Scotland. It and a thermal base layer (two of these at the start of the eighth day) kept me warm enough (just) when the temperature was in single figures even without the wind chill.
Thanks also to the many contributors to this forum who provided so much good, if sometimes contradictory, advice.
Here are a few notes on the route I followed.
Day 1 Lands End to Camelford
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2591503
I was pretty happy with this route. Apart from a few very stiff climbs after Penzance the terrain was rolling rather than hilly. The Camel Trail was fine for my 25mm road tyres. Not a fast surface but there were plenty of cyclists to say hello to.
Day 2 Camelford to Wellington
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2596623
The first half was a bit of a nightmare. Lots of steep descents on surfaces that got worse and worse as I got closer to the bottom. Steep ascents the other side of course. Surely there must be a better way? Certainly if I were doing it again I would take the A3702 between Holsworthy and Hatherleigh. The afternoon was much better, sensible rolling roads - though with the occasional 12% to remind me I was still in Devon. It was also very windy. Fortunately most Devon roads are about 10' below the surrounding countryside so I could proceed in calm air while what the BBC described as a "breeze" raged overhead.
There was a very nice café in Winkleigh which is disguised as Bissett's Garage and doubles as a florist.
Day 3 Wellington to Gloucester
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2593218
The Somerset Levels were as advertised, most of the route north of Bristol was flat too. I did a section of the Strawberry Line which, whilst not tarmac, was still a decent surface. The roads through the industrial areas around Avonmouth were unpleasant - busy with artics - but fortunately most had cycle paths alongside. The section of towpath past Slimbridge seems to be slowly going back to nature. It's not easy to avoid these last two without using the A38.
Shirley's Café in Severn Beach provided a welcome break. My main problem was the wind. A 10 mph headwind for most of the day.
Day 4 Gloucester to Knutsford
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2615099
I had a lovely start with sunshine and beautiful scenery close to the River Severn. I found the stretch around Wolverhampton difficult; either tiny, hilly lanes or busy urban roads. The headwind was at it's worst here too. After that things were much better. Pleasant rural roads with very modest gradients where I was able to make up time. I was booked in to the Travelodge on the M6. Not ideal as it's off route and has limited food choices - just M&S and Knetucky Fried by the time I arrived. It's accessible by bike via the service road off the A5033.
Day 5 Knutsford to Penrith
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2627683
As on the previous day I had a nice sunny start through pleasant lanes before joining the A573 south of Wigan. Wigan itself was fine but there was a nasty, draggy climb on the way out; shopping parades, dreadful road surfaces and a strong, cold headwind - disheartening. By the time I was past Preston the wind was so cold I was thinking of digging out my hat and thermal base layer - jacket was already in place. Fortunately, as I got nearer to the coast the sun came out, the wind swung to the west and it was like summer. The cycle path into Lancaster alongside the River Lune was fine, though I managed to get lost after the Millenium Bridge. There were then beautiful lanes en route to Kendal.
The climb to Shap was long but mostly not steep and was compensated by wonderful, wild scenery. I'm familiar with this sort of climb so trundled my way up. I assumed that the ride was pretty well done at the top with just a gentle drop down to Penrith. Sadly, it was not so. The headwind returned with a vengeance and there was still plenty of pedalling to be done.
Day 6 Penrith to Lanark
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2620478
This route looked OK on paper. All was fine as far as Gretna - except for a 20% climb near Sebergham, which I walked. The route was then dominated by a gentle climb on the old road that parallels the A74(M). The north wind imposed itself. That and the regular sections of dreadful road surface, (most of the matrix had gone just leaving small rocks embedded in what remained), made progress slow, painful and infuriating. Once at the top, (which was dominated by wind farms which tells its own tale), the wind was unleashed in full vigour, making the descent of the Clyde valley a discouraging experience.
Avoid this route when the north wind blows.
Day 7 Lanark to Pitlochry
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2620483
I had been quite looking forward to this one, the route didn't look too bad and crossing the Forth, would be exciting. The wind had also become a westerly, albeit another notch stronger and a couple of degrees colder, but that should help a bit across the central belt. It also brought rain, in bucket-loads near the start as I crossed a stretch of tree-less moorland. The very steep climb after Bathgate came as a big surprise and could have been avoided by sticking to the A7066. The Forth crossing was spectacular but I was spooked a bit by the gusty wind. I walked a bit until shamed into re-mounting when passed by a school-boy on an MTB.
The main problem, though, was the route I had chosen to Perth and then to Pitlochry. This made extensive use of designated "cycle and walking friendly" roads, all with 40 mph limits. Commendable, except the signs were often displayed at the bottom of 10% climbs - not friendly to my cycling. The profiles had looked pretty flat in advance. However, zooming in, as I have now done, reveals all the little peaks and troughs that are lost in the wider view. If I were doing it again I would investigate different possibilities between the Forth and Pitlochry.
The ride took much longer than expected leaving me feeling pretty battered. The worst day of the whole trip.
Day 8 Pitlochry to Inverness
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2620502
I started this one in a gloomy frame of mind. The previous day had gone badly and the forecast was for cold, wet and windy weather. I set out along Sustrans route 7 on the paths and minor roads alongside the A9. The wind and rain was in my face for the first 25 miles and the route had a nasty habit of introducing sharp turns, steep dips and climbs, and sections of very loose surface. I doubt many in mainland Europe would recognise this as a "cycle path". I became pretty depressed.
However once over the Drumochter pass (1508 feet, a tad higher than Shap) the route turned North East and the headwind became a tailwind. It was downhill all the way to Aviemore - and the sun came out. This now seemed a beautiful ride.
I anticipated further foul weather on the remaining stretch so bought waterproof gloves and thermal leg warmers in Aviemore. I put them on but the sun then shone and I took them off - in time to be caught in a hail storm. In the end though, it felt like one of the better days.
Day 9 Inverness to Altnaharra
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2620503
The ride out of Inverness on cycle paths beside busy roads was a bit miserable. It was raining, so there was lots of road spray. However the sun came out between Dingwall and Bonar Bridge and there were glorious views, including some across Cromarty and Dornoch firths. I was caught in heavy rain near Bonar but this soon passed and it was reasonably sunny thereafter. Bonnar was the first place I encountered other LeJoG riders. It was good to exchange tales and sympathy.
The climb to Lairg was easy on beautiful, quiet roads along the river valley. Much harder thereafter with the strong wind reducing my speed to a crawl on what were generally pretty flat roads.
Altnaharraha is famous for having once recorded a temperature of -27.2 deg. There was a nice coal fire blazing in the lounge.
Day 10
Altnaharra to John O'Groats
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2645339
The last day couldn't have been much better - well maybe another few deg. C would have helped. The route was North East then East and the wind started from the South West then swung round to the West. A 15 mph tail wind all day, at times it was like being on an e-bike, cruising up 4% gradients.
The start from Altnaharra was idyllic. 24 miles of mainly downhill, first alongside a loch then following a river down to the sea. All green pasture and lambs - and all under cloudless blue skies. My first view of the north coast was spectacular with blue seas and golden sands.
There was work to do though along the coast, starting with a climb from sea-level to 500 feet with some steep bits. That pattern continued for a while with fast descents to a small port then another climb. Somehow things had been arranged so that each peak was lower than its predecessor, so tiring legs were accommodated. The weather didn't quite maintain its good humour as the sun sometimes went away and it became cold and damp. It was pretty bleak by the time I reached John O'Groats. I tried to smile for the obligatory photo but evidently didn't succeed.
John O'Groats has several advantages over Land End including the absence of amusement arcades and the presence of a distillery and a brewery. The latter served me with an excellent pint.
I'm glad I've done it but I won't be doing it again!
Re: LEJOG 10 days end of May
Well done.
Thanks for sharing the story with us.
What's next?
Jonathan
Thanks for sharing the story with us.
What's next?
Jonathan
Re: LEJOG 10 days end of May
Well written account. Thanks.
Also, good tip for the waterproof. I'm looking fur something similar.
Is a great achievement, but I share your reluctance to revisit it!
Also, good tip for the waterproof. I'm looking fur something similar.
Is a great achievement, but I share your reluctance to revisit it!
Re: LEJOG 10 days end of May
"I'm glad I've done it but I won't be doing it again!"
That was my thought as well when we did it 6 years ago and we had a lot better weather than you.
Now time has mellowed me and I could be persuaded
That was my thought as well when we did it 6 years ago and we had a lot better weather than you.
Now time has mellowed me and I could be persuaded
Re: LEJOG 10 days end of May
We tried (and failed) in 2016, the bad June weather got the better of us. 2025 though, climate warming... Maybe!Pendodave wrote: 15 Jun 2024, 12:48pm Well written account. Thanks.
Also, good tip for the waterproof. I'm looking fur something similar.
Is a great achievement, but I share your reluctance to revisit it!