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10-03.-2008, 06:08 AM
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#1 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 15
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Advice for LEJOG
Me and my friend are planning to cycle Lands End to John O Groats in the summer.
Any advice from touring veterans to help us undertake this mammoth trip??? |
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07-05.-2008, 09:07 AM
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#2 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 5
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Re: Advice for LEJOG
Hi there, I am not a veteran LEJOG tourer but I did it two weeks ago for the first time, it is a great tour. I am unsure of what kind of advise you are asking but in terms of equipment make sure you have spare parts but don't go overboard, a spare chain or just links is useful and make sure you have a tool which covers everything on the bike just in case. Its 874 miles direct but realistically you are probably going to do 900-950, I am not sure how many miles your capable of or what your planning to do. I planned to do 67 miles per day and do it in around 15 days but I ended out doing 90 miles per day and finished it in 11 days- I would put this down to nutrition primarily, if you eat enough food, drink enough fluids and keep your body rested and legs stretched you will go further than you think in a day. My longest training ride was 80 miles but on tour my longest day was 140 and thats just because I ate alot of food- I love pizza, thats all I need when I am touring- alot of carbs and fat in the cheese.
Hopefully this is of some help or its a start anyway, all the best |
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09-05.-2008, 05:46 PM
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#3 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 14
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Re: Advice for LEJOG
I know people who rode LEJOG as fast as possible. They saw only their front wheel, and couldn't remember the names of most of the towns they passed through.
Others cruised along observing their surroundings, meeting and talking with the locals, taking the occasional diversion, and making new friends, who are now old friends. To get the most out of your journey, the first thing you need to pack, is the right attitude and behavior. Your purpose should include enjoyment, learning and discovery, they are the basic reasons for touring. Have a great trip. Be safe, and be careful. It's addictive. |
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11-05.-2008, 04:48 AM
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#4 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Suburban Chicago
Posts: 2,699
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Re: Advice for LEJOG
Quote:
Go as early in the summer as possible as tourist traffic increases. Plan on good rain gear and waterproof carrying bags... think fenders with mud flaps. Nice long days, but think about where you will be staying as early as possible during each ride. I like the idea of finding a resting place early and touring around it as the evening light allows and as your body wants. There are a few very steep grades that I would walk (Millook Haven in Cornwall has a 30% gradient either side) and some that I would tackle just to say that I made it up... I stop for a few "views" on the way down. B&B's are fine, hostles are busy, but more reasonable. You should decide ahead of time how much time and money you will invest and then decide how you will approach it. See if you can find someone who has OS Landrangers maps for the route to do some pre-tour planning.
__________________
David Ornee, Western Springs, IL USA |
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11-05.-2008, 04:31 PM
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#5 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 14
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Re: Advice for LEJOG
Quote:
That's excellent advice David. Make sure your bike is in good mechanical condition, suitable for a long journey. Change any worn parts. Check, clean, lubricate and adjust all bearings, pivots, cables, the chain and derailleurs. Fit new tyres, tubes and brake blocks. When on tour, aim to be off the road by 4pm at the latest. Confirm your accommodation as soon as possible. Head straight for local Info Centres. They know stuff that's not listed, and will often make accommodation bookings for you. Ride on Sustrans tracks when they head your way. Main roads can sometimes be excellent for cycling, so don't always avoid them. Quiet country roads can be tricky when they are narrow and winding, with high hedges, and fast moving traffic coming the other way, so stay on your guard. Eat three good meals every day. Do not skip breakfast or lunch. The strength you have today depends on what you ate yesterday. A glass of beer in the evenings is definitley beneficial, even if you don't normally drink alcohol. Check your tyre pressures every day. Use the minimum recommended tyre pressure to give a more comfortable ride. Carry three or four tubes, so you don't have to repair tubes on the side of the road. Carry a couple of spare spokes and a spoke key. Carry a chain breaker tool and spare links to match your chain dimensions. Every day, clean and lube the chain and derailleurs, clean the wheel rim braking surfaces, and check the brake blocks are correctly aligned. Beware of aluminium pannier frames. They tend to work harden and snap like carrots. Don't forget a daily application of bum cream, sun cream and lip balm, for you, not the bike. |
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