Cycling UK Forum

I have done LEJOG solo a couple of times, but this year am going with another person. How useful do you think it would be to sit down and work out the best way of doing things.

First off, I reckon its wise to say that on hills each goes at his own pace, we can meet up at the top. Second, at roundabouts and junctions, treat yourself as a solo rider, cross when it suits you, don't end up doing that stop/go dangerous dance. Third, we can ride two abreast when its safe, but drop into line astern as soon as is necessary. Fourth, share the lead and fifth share the navigation.

Also share the carrying (eg one takes a pump one takes a puncture repair kit).

Any thoughts?

Sounds sensible enough, apart from I would make sure you both carry enough to repair a puncture or your own, in case you do get separated.

A spare tube, pump and repair kit doesn't take up that much room/weight.

If each have a phone with a different network it will increase your chances of getting a signal to call home. Our route took us through areas were mobile signals were hopeless, until we got to Scotland where coverage was great.

Sharing things to avoid duplication and reduce weight sounds sensible but I think each having your own pump, tubes and puncture repair kit would be sensible.

Defo carry own puncture repair stuff, first tour I did was with b/f on his spare bike, a few days before we set off he realised we needed some more patches, fast forward, 4 miles outside of Lanceston, I get a puncture, b/f reaches in jacket pocket for the new patches...... 4 mile walk into Lanceston at lunchtime and feeling bonked was not good.. after that decided not to rely on anyone else to carry essentials.

Junctions; that depends on how you work together, it is normal on club runs/small groups riding together for first rider to arrive at junction and indicate if it is safe to proceed or not, ie a shout of 'clear' or 'car left/right' etc. Also if lights change a shout of 'lights', 'slowing', or 'stopping' is good practise otherwise the lead rider could find the other one riding into the back of the bike.

Hills; yes agree to ride at own pace, re group at top.

Also consider length of time between stops, you may be the sort of rider who wants to do 11's lunch and 3's, your companion may be thinking ride thru to lunch, short stops only etc., agree what strategy you will work with.... agree which town / village you are likely to be looking for refreshments stops, ie where is a sensible distance... no point thinking 20 miles if your companion is thinking 15....

Agree with all of the above especially about strategy for stops, but bear in mind if your partner wants to stop you have to respect that or vice versa (if you want to stop) because being forced to ride when hungry or tired is not very nice and can make you more irritable. I prefer to get loads of miles in first before a stop, but my cycling mate prefers a stop after only 20 - 30 miles or so, but I respect that because we understand each other etc.

We have spells of riding together and spells of ridding at our own pace even when not on hills, which works well so long as you meet up again after not too long a distance. However, when one of you is really tired it can be a bit demoralising when the distance keeps yoyoing, so just understand in each other's moods can also help and understanding not to get annoyed at each other's actions if they are different from the way you would do it.

I mix touring with a friend to touring solo to non-touring group rides quite often and it's good to be one of the slowest as well as one of the fastest in different circumstances to understand how someone may feel on any given day.

Thanks for the wisdom, it will prove useful. Also the idea of being empathetic to the other rider's style of riding / breaks is excellent.

We are getting the sleeper tomorrow, will let you know how it goes.

Finished fine, though my unlucky partner had to drop out at Middlewich because of a knee injury.