John O Groats to Berwick Upon Tweed

[juliaorb]

Hi I have just came across this site whilst doing a search on google, and I am trying to organise a cycle from John O Groats to Berwick Upon Tweed. I noticed Route 1 appeared to be that, BUT haven't got a clue how to access it! Anyway can anyone help? I'm organising it for next May for the Scottish Burned Children's Club. This is going to sound crazy, BUT I have never been on a road bike before in my life, I have one on order which has not arrived yet! I have a number of people already interested in doing this event but I would appreciate any help with the best route etc, if anyone knows this area or has done it before. Thank you

[diapason0]

Hi,
Welcome to the site - it's good to hear from you about your planned ride. I'm sure that someone will be along soon to advise you about the best route - as you will find out there is a John-o-Groats-Lands End section on the forum and many people on here have done or are planning that ride. There will also be much advice about what bike is best for the ride. You don't need to spend shed loads of money and an out-and-out 'racing' bike is possible not what you need. You'll certainly find many pointers suitable to second-hand bikes on here too.
Good luck,
Nigel

[juliaorb]

Thank you Nigel, I have already purchased buke, just waiting on it arriving I do hope someone can help with this and thanks again for the welcome.

[diapason0]

What have you bought?
N

[Mick F]

Ditto,
Welcome to the site. Well done for finding us too.

JOG to Berwick isn't far off the first half of a JOGLE "standard route", so all you really need to do is decide how far you want to do per day and what sort of roads. There's a wealth of knowledgeable folk on here.

Basically, you have to aim at Edinburgh and then bear left quite a bit, rather than aim next at Carlisle. I've had many an argument about which is further west, Edinburgh or Carlisle! Most folk think it's Carlisle, but it's not.

So firstly, how long are you going to take on the ride? Secondly, are you happy with main-ish roads?

Basic route would be, JOG to Inverness (a few choices of route), then Inverness to the Forth Road Bridge. (more choices again) then over the hills to Berwick. I would imagine that the main A1 isn't good to cycle on - I've driven it a few times in the past - so the better way may be over the hills on the B6355.

Personally, I'd do JOG to Inverness on the A99/A9, but turning off via Tain, Invergordon, Dingwall and Beauly. Then to Pitlochry via the Old A9 via Moy, Carrbridge, Aveimore, Kingussie, Dalwhinie and the cycle track to Calvine, then to Bridge of Till and Killiecrankie.

From there, follow the Old A9 and tracks, and then into Perth on the A9, then Old A90 to Inverkeithing via Bridge of Earn, Glen Farg, Kelty and Cowdenbeath.

Cross the Forth and follow the cycle track into Edinburgh, then the B6355 to Berwick.

Hope that helps, and good luck with the planning.

[juliaorb]

Oh thank you, I will try have a look , geography isnt my thing so it makes the planning even harder I have bought an Orbea orca, I think that's what it is called anyway, but am waiting on it being made still. To say i am impatient would be an understatement. Thanks guys

[diapason0]

Looks a nice bike - I'm now very much in the 'built for comfort and not for speed' and stick with a steel-framed touring bike. Good luck with the ride. I'm sure that Mick F and others who know the area will be able to give you more advice with the route if you need help.
N

[Ron]

I am trying to organise a cycle from John O Groats to Berwick Upon Tweed. I noticed Route 1 appeared to be that, BUT haven't got a clue how to access it! Anyway can anyone help?

Here is a link to Route 1....http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/n ... em/route-1

Although I would suspect you will use parts of Routes 1 & 7.
http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/n ... em/route-7

You can buy paper copies of these routes at "good book shops", or online.

[juliaorb]

Thank you, having had a quick look at the routes, for sure route 7 would be best to about Pitlochry, would you agree?
thanks

[Ron]

for sure route 7 would be best to about Pitlochry, would you agree?

Yes. Then use Route 77 which takes you to Smeatons Bridge near the centre of Perth avoiding the busy A9.