What bike for LEJOG?

[Nuttfieldnutter]

I am doing LEJOG next year ('06) and am thinking about getting a new bike. I have had a MTB for about two years but use it on the road basically all the time, so I am thinking about getting a road bike.

Does anyone have any experience of LEJOG and could tell me what bike is rite for the trip?

[Andy Tallis]

Dawes Galaxy. I bought one for the end to end last summer and have had over 7000 trouble free and very nice miles since. The gear range was also perfect for the tour.

They're expensive but good

[Rob]

I did LEJOG on Raleigh Randonneur in 2002, with Bike Adventures' excellent supported holiday. The bike was superb - not a single puncture, despite a sickening crunch hitting a rock in road coming down Winter Hill at speed. Sadly the bike is no longer available but I'm sure Dawes or other equivalent would do just as well. If I did LEJOG again I might consider using something a tad lighter - but there's a lot to be said for robustness over 1000 miles!

[Editor]

The CTC shop now lists the new Raleigh tourers; go for any with a steel frame, Raleigh, Dawes or Thorn. About £700 but well worth it!

[Marc]

Nutfield

Look at :

Touring bikes - so expensive! on the Rides section of this forum for a testimonial of Spa Cycles godd service!!!

Marc

[AJPITFC]

Last year, I rode a road bike and my friend rode a mountain bike. He struggled with the flats but made the hills look easier.

Both suffered the same amount of problems with mechanical failure.

Met loads of people doing it and the split was 50/50.

See the web site for pictures
http://www.ipswichtownfan.co.uk/LeJog%20Diary.htm

I am doing it again in 2006 and will be sticking to the road bike but my back team (my Wife) will be carrying a MTB so I can take advantage of certain trails.

Good luck