LEJOG (Land's End to John O'Groats Cycle Trip)

[TheBigD]

I will shortly be cycling Land's End to John O'Groats (known as LEJOG).

The route I'm taking for this iconic trip will be 1028 miles, 69,881 feet of climb, over a leisurely 3 weeks.

For those interested, I will be posting a daily review of my travels, both the cycling itself, and the train trips down to Penzance and back from Inverness.

This Saturday will see me travel down to Penzance, firstly in standard with LNER, and then in 1st with GWR.

At Penzance I will collect my hire bike (Giant Contend) and getting the fitting sorted etc etc before meeting up with the rest of the group.

I did toy with taking my own bike (either my Giant Revolt 2 cyclo-cross or my Specialized Allez road bike) but decided on hiring a bike as if anything goes wrong I can just give the mechanic a call and get it sorted without any worries.

The cycling starts on Sunday with a 41 mile trip from Land's End to Truro, followed by by 11 days of cycling, 631 miles of between 45 and 80 miles a day, before a much welcomed day of rest in Peebles. Then it's another 7 days, 356 miles, through sunny (hopefully!) Scotland before arriving at John O'Groats.

For those who feel they haven't cycled enough, there's the option of a further 20 miles to Dunnet Head, the most northerly part of the UK mainland.

Then the long journey home starts on the Saturday with the group bus from John O'Groats to Inverness follwed by an overnight stay. Then on the Sunday it's a rail replacement bus from Inverness to Perth, before a long journey in standard with LNER (there were no advance 1st fares released) unless there's space for a weekend 1st upgrade, with LNER back south, including a diversion via Carlisle.

Weather currently looks OK for the first week, just a little bit of rain forecast and either a tail wind or side wind forecast.

 

[Techniquest]

It's going to be an epic adventure, I'm excited to read the tale

 

[306024]

Good luck with the adventure.

I did it by bus and train a few years ago and that was enough for me For amusement:

Bus Land‘s End to Penzance
GW HST Penzance to Plymouth
XC HST Plymouth to Sheffield (where it failed - door interlock problem)
EM HST Sheffield to Leeds
Overnight
158 Leeds to Carlisle
156 Carlisle to Glasgow Central via Dumfries
170 Glasgow Queen St to somewhere south of Aviemore (where it failed - out of fuel)
Rescued by southbound 170 (whose passengers were put on buses at Aviemore) to Inverness
Overnight
158 Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh (scenic diversion as I had time)
158 Kyle of Lochalsh to Dingwall
158 Dingwall to Wick
Overnight
Bus Wick to John O’Groats

Hopefully your trip has fewer mechanical issues!

 

[DarloRich]

good luck - I know several people who have done this route and it is a tough journey

 

[TechDan2002]

A school mate of mine did JOG to LE in 2018 after year 10 with his brother and father off road on budget end mountain bikes. His father produced a video of their journey if you're interested, link here:

The longest feat I've ever done on my bike was a 116.64 mile ride around Cornwall on Summer Solstice in 2019. I set off from my home in Penryn at 05:20 without a plan in mind but 16 hours of daylight to ride in and ended up going to The Lizard and Lands End. That was on my budget end mountain bike too that was five years old at that point, my aim for the day was 100 miles so I was pleased to exceed that. I was wrecked for days afterwards!

 

[TheBigD]

Thanks for the link @TechDan2002

 

[TheBigD]

The journey to Penzance...

An early start this morning saw the taxi ordered for 0645. Whilst waiting i was chatting to my neighbours who were also going on holiday, driving to their daughters villa in the south of France, with an overnight stop.

Peterborough to Kings Cross.
Standard advance - £13.90

I was booked on the 0741 Peterborough to London but actually caught the 0720 Peterborough to Kings Cross, which was formed of 9 car azuma, 801219.
I was stood on the platform waiting, the guard offered me the opportunity travel earlier. On boarding in coach A at the rear of the train, I was 1 of only 3 passengers on the carriage.
Train departed on time, and arrived Kings Cross on time after a few minutes wait outside whilst the 0803 to Leeds departed.
No ticket checks on this service.

A slow walk off the train and down to the tube with just a minutes wait for a circle line train to Paddington. Again, pretty quiet and never more than a dozen people in the carriage.

As I'd got the earlier train, and got lucky on the tube I had 75 minutes to wait before the 1004 Paddington to Penzance. I made my way to the first class lounge. The concourse at Paddington was bustling with many peple waiting around.
I had to show my ticket to the attendent to get in but no hello, please or thank you from her. Got to say the lounge is pretty basic, certainly not on a par with airport lounges. Clean and tidy but very basic. Hot and cold drinks, pain au chocolat, and biscuits were available but that was all. I'm guessing GWR aren't worrying about their energy bills as the place was like a sauna! Again pretty quiet with only 8-12 people in there during my stay of just under an hour.

1004 Paddington to Penzance.
Formed by 9 car IET 802102.
First advance - £72.40.
Reservation K 20.

Inward service had arrived at 0929, with boarding commencing at 0945. Left Paddington on time with the carriage around 90-95% full.
Full ticket check on departure, with the trolley service following after Reading.
Trolley offered complimentary drinks and a (laughably poor) snack box containing hummus, 2 small crackers, a 1 inch square of chocolate cake, and a small bag of popcorn containing precisely 9 pieces!
The trolley only did one drinks run in the 2hr45m between Paddington and Exeter, with another run between Exeter and Plymouth. After Plymouth the host announced she was "lone working" so anyone requiring refreshments had to make their way to the kitchen in coach L, and that she wasn't allowed to serve any hot drinks. She also did another cold drinks trolley run through first class.

The journey itself saw us stopped at Aldermaston due to brake problems on 5A50 (which is the empty sleeper stock from Paddington to Reading depot). We were back on the move around 30 late, passing the knackered train at Newbury.
The guard kept us informed with clear announcements without any waffle.

I went for a leg stretch after Newbury but quickly gave up as the next carriage (standard) was full, with a few people standing in the vestibule and a mountain of luggage in the doorways.

A level crossing fault just after Taunton meant a further delay and departure from Exeter was 37 minutes late. The Exeter to Penzance stopper was held at Newton Abbot to allow us to pass.

The train started to empty out at Exeter, and after Plymouth my coach was less than 50% full, and continued to empty out as we passed through Cornwall. The run through Cornwall being entirely uneventful, and I'm expecting to arrive around 1545.

A 45 minute wait before my lift arrives and this evening will spent bike fitting followed by a few beers and evening meal at Land's End.

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

Very good, I am interested to read about bike fitting, what is that exactly? Photos would be great.

Not sure I would be comfortable with doing a long trip on a strange machine.

 

[Bald Rick]

Very good, I am interested to read about bike fitting, what is that exactly?

Getting the saddle and handlebars in exactly the right position. It’s quite an art!

 

[Techniquest]

Getting the saddle and handlebars in exactly the right position. It’s quite an art!

I can imagine it is! I've never had such an experience, but it must be useful.

The journey to Penzance sounds like it was mighty patience testing, but glad to hear you got there OK!

 

[TheBigD]

Very good, I am interested to read about bike fitting, what is that exactly? Photos would be great.

Not sure I would be comfortable with doing a long trip on a strange machine.

Getting the saddle and handlebars in exactly the right position. It’s quite an art!

As Bald Rick has posted, it's getting the saddle and handlebars set up so that in your riding position you do not put any pressure on your perineum (the area between you anus and your scrotum). It makes for a far more comfortable ride.

Most decent cycle shops will usually offer this free of charge when you buy a new bike from them.

Currently staying in Land's End Hotel, which as the name suggests, is Land's End. San Migel is £5:40 a pint!

Edit - I've tried uploading photos from my phone but it tells me that the file is too large for the server to handle.

 

[TheBigD]

I can imagine it is! I've never had such an experience, but it must be useful.

The journey to Penzance sounds like it was mighty patience testing, but glad to hear you got there OK!

Re the bike fit, it well worth getting it done. You will certainly notice the difference.

Re the travel, we are all enthusiasts on this site so we know what to expect! And Peterborough to Penzance, mostly in 1st, even with a 35 minute delay, for around £85 is pretty good value.

 

[TheBigD]

Sunday 11th September 2022

LEJOG Day 1 - Land's End to Truro

Woke up to a "refreshing" breeze off the Atlantic! Although misty outside, the odd spot of rain, the forecast promised 17C, a tail wind with only a 20% chance of rain. A hearty full English breakfast followed by packing our stuff ready for the cases to be transfered to our Truro hotel.

A quick check of the bikes and then the obligatory group photo at the Land's End signpost before starting our "undulating" 41 mile ride to Truro. Past experience told me that when a guide says undulating, they mean seriously hilly!

Well the 20% change of rain turned out to be an underestimation. After the group photo we all got our waterproofs out of our day bags and left Land's End with it absolutely pissing it down. The only positive being a decent tail wind. Our route took us up and down some brutal but short hills through Penzance and along the sea front near St Michael's Mount. We passed Penzance Station, with a castle HST waiting to leave, and another just arriving. A bit further along we passed Long Rock depot. The sleeper must have been inside the shed, but there was a 5 car IET with a flashing taillamp in the cab in the carriage sidings.

We stopped for a quick cuppa, at Marazion and saw some people kite surfing and commented they must be as mad as us!

We then headed inland through the undulating Cornwall countryside for our lunch stop in Praze-an-Beeble. A cornish pasty later, and with the rain almost gone, we were on our way, more undulating cornish country side before a couple more brutal but short hills before arriving in to Truro. The section in to Truro where you go under the Falmouth railway line, then over it, then under the main line, was a tough last couple of miles. The only bit that was flat today was along the sea wall at Penzance.

41 miles later we've arrived in Truro. Our hotel is a generic chain hotel, so no character. I will have a long walk around the city centre after a much needed shower!

Cycle Stats.

41.10 miles
879 ft of elevation
11.5mph average speed
3hr24m17s total time

 

[pjh]

Good luck with your journey. I’m hoping to do it for charity in 2024 hoping knees upto it.

 

[TheBigD]

Deleted.

 

[Bald Rick]

Sunday 11th September 2022

LEJOG Day 1 - Land's End to Truro

Woke up to a "refreshing" breeze off the Atlantic! Although misty outside, the odd spot of rain, the forecast promised 17C, a tail wind with only a 20% chance of rain. A hearty full English breakfast followed by packing our stuff ready for the cases to be transfered to our Truro hotel.

A quick check of the bikes and then the obligatory group photo at the Land's End signpost before starting our "undulating" 41 mile ride to Truro. Past experience told me that when a guide says undulating, they mean seriously hilly!

Well the 20% change of rain turned out to be an underestimation. After the group photo we all got our waterproofs out of our day bags and left Land's End with it absolutely pissing it down. The only positive being a decent tail wind. Our route took us up and down some brutal but short hills through Penzance and along the sea front near St Michael's Mount. We passed Penzance Station, with a castle HST waiting to leave, and another just arriving. A bit further along we passed Long Rock depot. The sleeper must have been inside the shed, but there was a 5 car IET with a flashing taillamp in the cab in the carriage sidings.

We stopped for a quick cuppa, at Marazion and saw some people kite surfing and commented they must be as mad as us!

We then headed inland through the undulating Cornwall countryside for our lunch stop in Praze-an-Beeble. A cornish pasty later, and with the rain almost gone, we were on our way, more undulating cornish country side before a couple more brutal but short hills before arriving in to Truro. The section in to Truro where you go under the Falmouth railway line, then over it, then under the main line, was a tough last couple of miles. The only bit that was flat today was along the sea wall at Penzance.

41 miles later we've arrived in Truro. Our hotel is a generic chain hotel, so no character. I will have a long walk around the city centre after a much needed shower!

Cycle Stats.

41.10 miles
879 ft of elevation
11.5mph average speed
3hr24m17s total time

Good luck! It’s on my bucket list.

I’d avoid a full English before a long day of cycling though. Go with Porridge, Muesli or a bucket load of weetabix.

 

[TheBigD]

Speaking to other riders today it seems that the ascent recorded on strava was 3148 ft, yet those of us who used Garmin had just 879 ft.

 

[Snapper37]

Good luck with the ride. I found that Devon and Cornwall are by far the worst bits. I went the short route across Dartmoor, which is challenging. Not knowing your route, but highlights for me were the Wye valley, and the Scottish lowlands. Longtown to Peebles. Remember to enjoy the scenery, and that wind, hail, rain, and snow are just four letter words.

 

[Techniquest]

Speaking to other riders today it seems that the ascent recorded on strava was 3148 ft, yet those of us who used Garmin had just 879 ft.

I was thinking as I read your post that 879ft didn't sound too bad, but also highly inaccurate. I am awaiting my Cornwall and North Devon maps currently, but I cannot imagine Lands End to Truro only taking on 879ft of elevation. Strange how much of a difference there was measured though!

Yikes to the rancid weather!

 

[TheBigD]

I was thinking as I read your post that 879ft didn't sound too bad, but also highly inaccurate. I am awaiting my Cornwall and North Devon maps currently, but I cannot imagine Lands End to Truro only taking on 879ft of elevation. Strange how much of a difference there was measured though!

Yikes to the rancid weather!

It'd been the subject of much debate over dinner. Those of us on garmin have all under read the ascent by varying amounts, mine seems to be the lowest but no one had over 1000 ft, yet all tally with the distance. Those using strava have a much higher ascent, around 3100 ft, but have some slight variation over distance.

The trip notes suggest around 900 meters/3000 ft so strava is correct and garmin way out.

It's probably a question for posting on a cycle forum...

 

[Techniquest]

No doubt it is, I'd love to be able to help but I can't think of anywhere. Going back to your reply yesterday, I'd agree you did well to spend relatively little on doing Peterborough to Penzance!

 

[yorkie]

A school mate of mine did JOG to LE in 2018 after year 10 with his brother and father off road on budget end mountain bikes. His father produced a video of their journey if you're interested, link here:

The longest feat I've ever done on my bike was a 116.64 mile ride around Cornwall on Summer Solstice in 2019. I set off from my home in Penryn at 05:20 without a plan in mind but 16 hours of daylight to ride in and ended up going to The Lizard and Lands End. That was on my budget end mountain bike too that was five years old at that point, my aim for the day was 100 miles so I was pleased to exceed that. I was wrecked for days afterwards!

Quite an achievement for the boys at the ages of 15 & 14. Interesting they did it off-road, that must have significantly increased the challenge; is there a map of the route available?

@Huntergreed take a look at the video around 33min 45 seconds and you will see a familiar sight! The commentary refers to the steps we had to climb (but in the reverse direction)

@TheBigD do you have a plan for each day, and a map or a list of what your route is? Good luck with it!

 

[TheBigD]

@TheBigD do you have a plan for each day, and a map or a list of what your route is? Good luck with it!

I type up and post my itinerary tomorrow afternoon.

Tomorrow's route Truro to Launceston via Wadebridge, 55 miles and around 4900 ft of ascent.

Edit - See here and click on the itinerary tab...

22 Day Land's End to John O'Groats Guided Cycling Holiday

Ride the entire length of Britain, from the very toe to the very tip! Land's End to John O'Groats is the ultimate British road cycling tour. Find out more.

www.skedaddle.com

 

[yorkie]

I see the route taken by @TechDan2002 goes via Hebden Bridge, so if anyone here decided to do that (I think not many would!) I would be up for joining anyone on that bit at least.

@TheBigD if I was free on Day 12 I would have seriously considered joining you for at least part of that day however I don't have any free days around the time you'd be doing it.

As for the lounge at PAD, it used to be really good, only a few years ago.

Edit - I've tried uploading photos from my phone but it tells me that the file is too large for the server to handle.

You could upload them to a photo site (e.g. Flickr) and link to either the photos, or the full album, from here.

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

879, could that be in meters?

 

[TheBigD]

Screenshot from garmin...

 

[TheBigD]

The hire bike...

 

[Techniquest]

She looks pretty swish, fair play! Does she handle as well as she looks?

 

[TheBigD]

Monday 12th September 2022

LEJOG Day 2 - Truro to Launceston

Another hearty English breakfast to start the day. There's definitely a split in the group with some insisting that a continental breakfast is best whilst im firmly in the fry up camp!

The weather is kinder to us today, no rain, and a slight breeze from the South East, and whilst cloudy a few spells of sunshine were forecast.

A brutal but short climb out of Truro, using the granny gear, certainly woke us up! We followed the country lanes over the former Truro to Newquay railway line, and rode by the narrow gauge Lappa Valley Railway on our way to our first tea stop at St Columb Major.

Some of the roads were very quiet, had grass down the middle of them, with high verges and nowhere to pass if you meet a car. Lucky we never saw much traffic.

After a few more miles steady climbing we enjoyed a long descent in to Wadebridge. Cycling through Wadebridge its hard to imagine that the railway once ran right through the centre of the town.

After leaving Wadebridge we turned left near the former LSRW railway route to North Cornwall, the Carriages Restaurant being the give away on what it is built on. We once again climbed steadily until we came to St Tudy where we stopped for lunch.

After an hour or so we headed onward to Launceston but after a couple of miles we had to endure a mile at uo to 14% incline, which was a test of our fitness! This took us up to the edge of Bodmin moor. We then passed along the edge of Bodmin moor, with the sheep and ponies to keep us company. A few cattle grids later, we the cycled across a former airfield and on to Launceston, largely down hill but a short climb near the end.

We are staying tonight just outside Launceston at the Trethorne Golf Club.

Tomorrow's ride will be 54 miles from Launceston to Tiverton.

Cycle Stats

Distance- 54.04 miles
Average speed - 11.7 mph
Time - 4hr38m33s
Ascent - 4318 ft

 

[TheBigD]

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