Advice on 5-day LEJoG route

[toontra]

Hi folks, I'm in the process of planning a 5-day solo unsupported LEJoG in June. I did a 6-day in 2008 and had a bit left in the tank each day so am reasonably confident in terms of mileage per day (depending on weather).

The 2008 route was mainly A-roads and went over the Severn bridge and along the Welsh border. This time I'm thinking staying in England. I took this clipping from somewhere a couple of years ago (probably this forum and possibly Mick F!) and wondered what people's views are on it:

A30 all the way to Exeter
Old A38 (B3181) north out of the city
A38 all the way to Worcester
A449/A442/A41 to Whitchurch
A49 to Preston
A6 to Carlisle
A7/B7076 to Moffat
A701 to Forth Road Bridge
Old A90 (B981/B996/A922/B996/A912) to Perth
A9 all the way to Latheron
A99 to JOG

I'll be setting out at 4am on a Sunday morning so the A30 traffic should be at its lightest.

[Mick F]

That was the route that The Race Against Time people did when I drove the support vehicle in May 2007.
Their first night was just south of Bristol! 200miles on the first day.

They actually didn't make it, stopping 30miles short, and had to be given a lift in the van and mini bus to the O/N stop because of horrendous weather. Next morning, we took them back to where they left off, before them riding all the way to Chester for the second night.
Then it was Moffat, then Kingussie, then JOG.

Five very very long days.

Each day started at about 6am, and some nights it was after midnight when they finished. The last man to JOG was in at 11pm.

Since 2007, TRAT have extended the ride to 6 or 7 days, because when I was involved that year, they very nearly failed in the attempt.

Basically, it can be done by a fit and experienced cyclist, but if the weather or luck are against you, be prepared to fail.

Good luck!

[toontra]

Thanks Mick. Yes, if the weather is bad then I'll either call it off or try and improvise (tricky when you have to book accommodation in advance).

I had a bad experience last May doing a 3-day London-Aberdeen. The weather had been nice for weeks with a gentle south-westerly. The day before I set off the wind flipped round to the north and gradually increased in strength to gale force over the next 2 days (not to mention torrential rain!). It meant 3 hours longer in the saddle than I'd usually take for the 180-90 mile days. I had to give up half way through the second day as I was physically and mentally shattered. I was absolutely gutted as it was the first time I'd bailed on a ride.

As you say, be prepared to fail - then it isn't so bad if the worst happens.

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
Unsupported............

Ditch the acomodation, and tent and bag where you finish.
When I was on the Pennine way a very misty day over unpathed moorland reduced me to 21 miles in 10.5 hours, mist meant dark the rest of the time. Tented of course.
On a good day walking at 06.00 and stopped at about 22.30 46 miles with a 45 Ib sack.
I could'nt do that looking for BB...................where up on the moors, some would walk seven miles off route for a bed
If you flaff around with beds time lost.
Stop where you drop, if your that fit you wont be needing more than 3 hrs hard sleep.
I have no intention of flaffing around on my end to end................

[toontra]

I suppose the term unsupported is a relative one. What I mean is I'll be carrying everything I need for the 5 days (although will be buying food along the way!).

Camping gear would be pushing it too far for me, and I bloody hate camping! All the accommodation I have planned is within a few hundred yards of the route (2 Travelodges and 2 B&Bs) so very little extra messing about. In fact setting up/packing up a tent & gear would mean losing at least an hour's sleep, and if it was raining the whole thing would be totally miserable.

It's the cycling that interests me, not outdoor survival arts.

And there is nothing like laying in a hot bath after a long day's riding

[chrisc]

And there is nothing like laying in a hot bath after a long day's riding

Amen to that !

One of life's great luxuries indeed.

[thirdcrank]

I need a long soak in a hot bath, just to get over somebody else intending to do it. Having done it in six days, you know what would be involved in reducing that to five so I'll just offer you my best wishes for success and a strong tail wind, rather than any advice.

I don't live anywhere near your proposed route or I'd offer to turn out to stand at the roadside and give you a cheer as you passed through, as well as handing up a feed bottle of whatever you fancy.

Here's to a sou'westerly gale all that week.

[toontra]

Thanks all. I'm a "veteran" of 2 London-Edinburgh-London and Paris-Brest-Paris audaxes so am acquainted with 200 mile-a-day multi-day rides and hopefully will be trained up to the same level of fitness as for those. In fact the distance of my LEJoG route is almost identical that of London-Edinburgh-London with the same time allowance (five days), so I should be on familiar territory.

As has been said though, it's all weather-dependant.

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
Good luck too.

So you dont fancy LEJoGLE then.............

[toontra]

Hi,
Good luck too.

So you dont fancy LEJoGLE then.............

Maybe when I retire

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
Just curios , does 910 miles sound about right distance

[toontra]

Hi,
Just curios , does 910 miles sound about right distance

It was 878 last time and I'm hoping it will be around the same.

[mjr]

Instead of just following the A38 Exeter to Worcester, I suggest it's worth the 3 or so extra miles to turn left after Churchill and pick up the other road into Bristol at Congresbury, swapping the annoying climb to the airport for a shorter one out of Congresbury... or keep heading north for the A369 and Avonmouth M5 bridge bike track, but then it's fiddly even if flatter so probably not worth it on your schedule.

[toontra]

Ah yes, I remember the climb to the airport last time. Not significant but I just wasn't expecting it. I'll certainly look at your alternative. Thanks!

[Mick F]

Yes, going via Congesbury is easier - and nicer - done it that way once.
However, staying on the A38 even with the hill is probably quicker despite Red Hill.