LEJOG 2025

[puffin]

Just making outline plans for next year, and I've come up with a small problem, can anyone suggest a work around?
The excellent Clerk Laith B&B between Newton and Slaidburn is no more, huge shame as Matthew and Helena were wonderful hosts.

The route I use puts me into their place (twixt Newton and Slaidburn) after 65 miles and 4000 feet in climbs. Next day I have a 71 miles / 5100 ft ride to Armathwaite. After Armathwaite I do a 77/5300 to Traquair (just short of Peebles).

The pub and the Hostel in Slaidburn are closed to accommodation.

Does anyone have any insider knowledge about where to stay around Slaidburn, or any suggestions for rerouting? At the moment I'm looking at stopping "short" at Clitheroe 958 miles), then stopping short of Armathwaite, then stopping short of Traquair,

[David F]

There is a b and b at Wood End Farm, Dunsop Bridge. I don't know anything about this business, but Dunsop is only about five miles west of Slaidburn. A bonus to going via Dunsop Bridge would be the avoidance of Waddington Fell. Whalley-Cow Ark-Whitewell-Dunsop Bridge is quite a rewarding ride.
David F

[puffin]

Huge thanks for this, its given me a great option which I'd not seen.

[cycleruk]

Mr P.
Have you decided on a route through Cornwall with respect to parts of the A30 road closures to cyclists ?
Thanks.

[Mick F]

The A30 old road will be open when Cornwall Highways have finished the bridges. This should be by December this year.
I've been cycling on sections of the A30 old road and driven the A30 new road. The new bits are indeed closed to cyclists and horses and Agricultural vehicles.

The A30 old road will make an excellent cycling route. I'm looking forward to it.

Keep an eye on AA Roadwatch.
https://www.theaa.com/route-planner/traffic-news

The dotted red bits are the A30 old road as of now. The green bits are the A30 new road. Basically a motorway.

[simonhill]

You seem to be sorted, but did you think of contacting Clerk Laith B&B to ask them if there were any alternatives. Maybe a question they get asked regularly.

[puffin]

You seem to be sorted, but did you think of contacting Clerk Laith B&B to ask them if there were any alternatives. Maybe a question they get asked regularly.

Good thought, but the contact address doesn't work anymore.

[puffin]

The A30 old road will be open when Cornwall Highways have finished the bridges. This should be by December this year.
I've been cycling on sections of the A30 old road and driven the A30 new road. The new bits are indeed closed to cyclists and horses and Agricultural vehicles.

The A30 old road will make an excellent cycling route. I'm looking forward to it.

Keep an eye on AA Roadwatch.
https://www.theaa.com/route-planner/traffic-news

The dotted red bits are the A30 old road as of now. The green bits are the A30 new road. Basically a motorway.
Screenshot 2024-10-16 at 10.32.31.png

Thanks Mick, that is both useful and reassuring.

[puffin]

Mr P.
Have you decided on a route through Cornwall with respect to parts of the A30 road closures to cyclists ?
Thanks.

I haven't allowed for that, I'm waiting to see how it pans out. In other words, wait and see what Mick suggests.

[Steve]

There is a b and b at Wood End Farm, Dunsop Bridge. I don't know anything about this business, but Dunsop is only about five miles west of Slaidburn. A bonus to going via Dunsop Bridge would be the avoidance of Waddington Fell. Whalley-Cow Ark-Whitewell-Dunsop Bridge is quite a rewarding ride.
David F

Work today took me in the car through Slaidburn, Newton & Dunsop Bridge but I didn't see any odd B & B signs out. The big landed estates which own a lot of the houses in those parts probably wouldn't allow it, or would want to rake off any extra revenue from their tenants!

How about the "Inn at Whitewell" or Red Pump at Bashall Eaves? If you have deep pockets!

[puffin]

There is a b and b at Wood End Farm, Dunsop Bridge. I don't know anything about this business, but Dunsop is only about five miles west of Slaidburn. A bonus to going via Dunsop Bridge would be the avoidance of Waddington Fell. Whalley-Cow Ark-Whitewell-Dunsop Bridge is quite a rewarding ride.
David F

Work today took me in the car through Slaidburn, Newton & Dunsop Bridge but I didn't see any odd B & B signs out. The big landed estates which own a lot of the houses in those parts probably wouldn't allow it, or would want to rake off any extra revenue from their tenants!

How about the "Inn at Whitewell" or Red Pump at Bashall Eaves? If you have deep pockets!

Thanks for this, it could work well:

I reach Slaidburn on Day 7 then onto Armathwaite on Day 8
Day 7 to Clerk Laithe (Slaidburn) is currently 58 miles / 3800 feet, Day 8 is currently 71 miles / 5100 feet.
If instead I go via Whitehill Day 7 becomes 55 / 3310, Day 8 76 /5400 which are manageable

Thanks again

Bill

[puffin]

Thanks for the advice, I'm going to extend the Previous days to from ending at Knutsford to Glazebrook, then Going through Slaidburn to Bentham. This will let me extend the next day from Armathwaite to Brampton, giving me an easier day as I cross the border ending at Innerleithen. Yea!!!!