JOGLE Red hair do ?!!?....

Dave said:

Ok, been thinking about it long enough... I'm doing John O' Groats to Lands End, starting 18
March, train upto JOG, start cycling 19 March, arrive in LE approx 10 days later, I hope.

Quoted message said:

snip<<<

Gosh, you are either brave or foolish. I would hate to say anything to put you off, but might I
suggest that you consider doing the trip in the other direction? After all March is one of the
windiest months of the year and the prevailing winds are from the south west. More power to you
anyway. Roger

--
Roger Thorpe

My email address is spamtrapped. You can work it out!

Agree with Roger. Having done LE-JOG I wouldn't want to do it the other way round. Apart from the
wind the hardest part is in Cornwall (contrary to what you might expect). I wouldn't fancy Cornish
hills at the end of the trip, I prefer to do them while still fresh. As for trees, they are a bit
rare in the far north. Have a good trip, whichever way round you do it! Jo "Roger Thorpe"
<[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Dave said:

Ok, been thinking about it long enough... I'm doing John O' Groats to Lands End, starting 18
March, train upto

JOG,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

start cycling 19 March, arrive in LE approx 10 days later, I hope.

Quoted message said:

snip<<<

Gosh, you are either brave or foolish. I would hate to say anything to put you off, but might I
suggest that you consider doing the trip in the other direction? After all March is one of the
windiest months of the year and the prevailing winds are from the south west. More power to you
anyway. Roger

--
Roger Thorpe

My email address is spamtrapped. You can work it out!

"Dave" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

a bit of training probably won't go amiss.....

I hope that's a joke. If you haven't started already you've left it a teensy bit late. It's a
l-o-n-g way.

Quoted message said:

So, anyone know if there's any trees in Scotland, north of Inverness ? (only disadvantage of
hammocks ;-)

Not according to Dr. Johnson.

Quoted message said:

Any advice gratefully received.

As Roger says, you would be better advised to LEJOG than to JOGLE, to take advantage of the
prevailing winds. From the amount of preparation you appear to have done so far that shouldn't have
a major impact on your plans.

Quoted message said:

(8 days 'n' countin'...)

I wouldn't worry about training at this point; it's too late to make much difference now. Use the
time to plan your route, make sure your bike is up to the journey, and to get enough sponsors a)
to make it worth your while and b) to give you the motivation not to give up when you're wet,
cold, hurting, miserable, and still hundreds of miles from your goal. It is doable in 10 days for
a fit, healthy, highly motivated but untrained person, but it's very tough, especially sleeping
in the open.

--
Dave...

"Roger Thorpe" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Dave said:

Ok, been thinking about it long enough... I'm doing John O' Groats to Lands End, starting 18
March, train upto

JOG,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

start cycling 19 March, arrive in LE approx 10 days later, I hope.

Quoted message said:

snip<<<

Gosh, you are either brave or foolish. I would hate to say anything to put you off, but might
I suggest that you consider doing the trip in the other direction? After all March is one of
the windiest months of the year and the prevailing winds are from the south west. More power
to you anyway.

Wind at Wick at 1640h today is 35 mph NNW, so if he'd set off now, he'd be laughing.

--
Simon Mason Anlaby East Yorkshire. 53°44'N 0°26'W simonmason.karoo.netsimonmason.karoo.netOpen ↗

Dave said:

So, anyone know if there's any trees in Scotland, north of Inverness ? (only disadvantage of
hammocks ;-)

A hammock? Crikey.

How about a Thermarest and bivibag instead?

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Bob
--
Mail address is spam trapped To reply by email remove the beverage

Thanks y'all. Yup, I was joking about the training, have been doing some lengthy cycling as well as
running over the last few months, although I don't think even that could prepare me for what lies
ahead. The [censored] has already started today..... Train fares were £75 & £12.50 yesterday. By the time
I booked them today they'd gone upto £106 & £16.50, the latter went up as I was booking it !!! Got
my bags, so I now have a grand total of 40 litres of space to play with, plus sleeping stuff on top.
Thought a new pair of tyres at least would not go amiss as the pair currently on the bike look like
they've been there since day 1. Fell victim to the great untrained at Half*rds. If it says 27 x
11/4, then it must be the same, despite the fact that on the original it says 28x630 and on the ones
H*lf*rds insist are 'the same mate, probably'., it says 32 x 630. Being 'old school', I dared to
believe them. More fool me!...Due to the small, but nevertheless relevant, difference, I now have 2
useless new tyres from H*lf*rds, a blown out innertube and only 7 days to go. H*lf*rds also tried to
convince me that 27 x 15/8 would also fit, no probs. LBS says no chance....how I love
standardisation. Anyway, onwards and upwards.... Cheers, Dave
p.s., Roger, I'm beginning to think it's more foolish than brave..watch out for me on the news ;-)
p.p.s. - I wasn't going to do it for sponsorship, but as I said, I think it'll help focus. Any idea
where you get hold of the 'check cards' ?

"Dave" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:1wuba.4757$Wb.2484@news- Fell victim

Quoted message said:

to the great untrained at Half*rds.

Some Herbert in there tried to sell me a 700C front wheel until I pointed out to them that it was a
back wheel they had in their hand.
--
Simon Mason Anlaby East Yorkshire. 53°44'N 0°26'W simonmason.karoo.netsimonmason.karoo.netOpen ↗

Thus spake "Dave" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

p.s., Roger, I'm beginning to think it's more foolish than brave..watch out for me on the news ;-)
pps - I wasn't going to do it for sponsorship, but as I said, I think it'll help focus. Any idea
where you get hold of the 'check cards' ?

Join Audax UK and find out about doing the End-to-End as a 'Permanent'? This might well take more
than 6 days to sort since all AUK 'Officials' are volunteers with 'lives' to have.

--
Helen D. Vecht: [email hidden] Edgware.

Simon Mason said:

"Roger Thorpe" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Dave said:

Ok, been thinking about it long enough... I'm doing John O' Groats to Lands End, starting 18
March, train upto

JOG,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

start cycling 19 March, arrive in LE approx 10 days later, I hope.
>snip<<<

Gosh, you are either brave or foolish. I would hate to say anything to put you off, but might I
suggest that you consider doing the trip in the other direction? After all March is one of the
windiest months of the year and the prevailing winds are from the south west. More power to you
anyway.

Wind at Wick at 1640h today is 35 mph NNW, so if he'd set off now, he'd be laughing.

Oh come on! No matter where you are on a bike or which direction you're going in, the wind is
*always* against you. You lot are clearly not cyclists at all and I claim my five pounds ;o)

Ian

--
Ian Walker Remove the yummy paste in my address to reply. Homepage: drianwalker.comdrianwalker.comOpen ↗

"Simon Mason" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Dave" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:1wuba.4757$Wb.2484@news- Fell victim

Quoted message said:

to the great untrained at Half*rds.

Some Herbert in there tried to sell me a 700C front wheel until I pointed out to them that it was
a back wheel they had in their hand.
--
Simon Mason Anlaby East Yorkshire. 53°44'N 0°26'W simonmason.karoo.netsimonmason.karoo.netOpen ↗

Ha-ha!... I've forgiven them now. Went in this morning with arms full of tyres, wheels and inner
tubes. When asked by trained member how I was, I said dissappointed. Went through what happened with
his untrained colleagues the day before. He swapped the [censored] tyres for a pair of contis and advised
that I'd get my arms ripped off for the tyres I'd taken off by those in the know...apparently even
with the cracking sidewall... this effect is much sought after !??! He also fitted a fresh pair of
innertubes so don't have to invest in a new pair for the trip. Fitted them all (I'd taken the wheels
in) and then offered a free service of the bike to prep for the trip, free of charge. I erred <s?>
on the side of caution and declined his offer, but thanked him for his service and offer, then
bought a new pump off him ! I refused the offer of the service 'cos everything is happily rusted and
corroded in place and I know what'll happen if someone starts tinkering...no problem for years then
2 days into trip, middle of nowhere and an 'impossible to replace, mate' bit'll fall off !!...can't
fool me! Off on a test ride to Brum now to test out the new tyres, wear the saddle in a bit more and
get some more sponsorship going ;-) Cheers, Dave.

Simon Mason said:

"Roger Thorpe" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Dave said:

Ok, been thinking about it long enough... I'm doing John O' Groats to Lands End, starting 18
March, train upto

JOG,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

start cycling 19 March, arrive in LE approx 10 days later, I hope.
>snip<<<

Gosh, you are either brave or foolish. I would hate to say anything to put you off, but might I
suggest that you consider doing the trip in the other direction? After all March is one of the
windiest months of the year and the prevailing winds are from the south west. More power to you
anyway.

Wind at Wick at 1640h today is 35 mph NNW, so if he'd set off now, he'd be laughing.

Oh come on! No matter where you are on a bike or which direction you're going in, the wind is
*always* against you. You lot are clearly not cyclists at all and I claim my five pounds ;o)

Ian

--
Ian Walker Remove the yummy paste in my address to reply. Homepage: drianwalker.comdrianwalker.comOpen ↗

"Dave" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

He swapped the [censored] tyres for a pair of contis and advised that I'd get my arms ripped off for the
tyres I'd taken off by those in the know...apparently even with the cracking sidewall... this
effect is much sought after !??!

I've just fitted a Continental Contact today on my front wheel to go with the Schwalbe Marathon on
the back. Looks like a very robust tyre; we'll see if it passes the glass infested cycle track
test tomorrow.

--
Simon Mason Anlaby East Yorkshire. 53°44'N 0°26'W simonmason.karoo.netsimonmason.karoo.netOpen ↗

Dave said:

pps - I wasn't going to do it for sponsorship, but as I said, I think it'll help focus. Any idea
where you get hold of the 'check cards' ?

If you mean by 'check cards' some form of confirming your progress then the CTC is probably your
best bet. www.ctc.org.uk

Obtain their E2E pack which gives sample routes and a sheet for recording your stages, but you have
to pay if you are not a member.

However, you can make one yourself very easily - just a sheet of paper with a box for each day for
obtaining a rubber 'stamp' or similar. At some point on each day, just pop into a post office and
ask them to stamp your sheet. We did this last year and all asked helped out. We also obtained
'stamps' from tourist offices, shops and even a building society.

I don't know about Jo'G (as we went the 'easy' way) but the LE-JoG Association also provide a record
sheet. We obtained one at LE, but ask at the JoG Hotel. And don't miss putting an entry into the
book which is kept under the counter.

I too think you are mad going N to S in March, but if you are reasonably fit you should manage it.
If my 14-yr old daughter did it (also camping - and often 'wild'😉 I'm sure you will.

And to repeat what others have said - there are few trees at the top.

John B

"Ian Walker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Simon Mason said:

"Roger Thorpe" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Dave wrote:
> Ok, been thinking about it long enough... I'm doing John O' Groats to Lands End, starting 18
> March, train upto

JOG,

Quoted message said:

> start cycling 19 March, arrive in LE approx 10 days later, I hope.
>>snip<<<
>

Gosh, you are either brave or foolish. I would hate to say anything to put you off, but might I
suggest that you consider doing the trip in the other direction? After all March is one of the
windiest months of the year and the prevailing winds are from the south west. More power to you
anyway.

Wind at Wick at 1640h today is 35 mph NNW, so if he'd set off now, he'd be laughing.

Oh come on! No matter where you are on a bike or which direction you're going in, the wind is
*always* against you. You lot are clearly not cyclists at all and I claim my five pounds ;o)

Ian

--
Ian Walker Remove the yummy paste in my address to reply. Homepage: drianwalker.comdrianwalker.comOpen ↗

Ha! - well done that man...twice too ! Can I claim one for sponsorship please ? ;-)

"John B" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Dave said:

pps - I wasn't going to do it for sponsorship, but as I said, I think

it'll

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

help focus. Any idea where you get hold of the 'check cards' ?

If you mean by 'check cards' some form of confirming your progress then

the CTC

Quoted message said:

is probably your best bet. www.ctc.org.uk

Obtain their E2E pack which gives sample routes and a sheet for recording

your

Quoted message said:

stages, but you have to pay if you are not a member.

However, you can make one yourself very easily - just a sheet of paper

with a

Quoted message said:

box for each day for obtaining a rubber 'stamp' or similar. At some point on each day, just pop
into a post office and ask them to

stamp

Quoted message said:

your sheet. We did this last year and all asked helped out. We also obtained 'stamps' from tourist
offices, shops and even a building society.

I don't know about Jo'G (as we went the 'easy' way) but the LE-JoG

Association

Quoted message said:

also provide a record sheet. We obtained one at LE, but ask at the JoG

Hotel.

Quoted message said:

And don't miss putting an entry into the book which is kept under the

counter.

Quoted message said:

I too think you are mad going N to S in March, but if you are reasonably

fit

Quoted message said:

you should manage it. If my 14-yr old daughter did it (also camping - and

often

Quoted message said:

'wild'😉 I'm sure you will.

And to repeat what others have said - there are few trees at the top.

John B

Many thanks for that John. Another tick in thebox. I'll probably go for the DIY as I'm after cheap
'n' cheerful and the train tickets to get there and back at either end of the ride have already
blown the budget, never mind the luggage bags, new tyres, pump etc&etc... ;-) Cheers and thanks for
the positive comments, Dave.

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Off on a test ride to Brum now to test out the new tyres, wear the saddle

in

Quoted message said:

a bit more and get some more sponsorship going ;-) Cheers, Dave.

Just got back from the test ride, no problems. New Conti Sport 1000s didn't explode, self destruct
or let me down in anyway, saddle is v. comfortable already (oh yes, new brooks, remember ?) and
waterproofs worked beautifully. It wasn't actually raining, but they kept the moisture in perfectly
(just kiddin' ;-). Popped in to the place I took voluntary redundancy from 15 months ago. God bless
'em, not only did they remember me, they all sponsored me for amounts from £5 - £40 each!!..thank
god I didn't tell 'em I was only hoping for a pound each. Some were throwing the money in my
direction and when I told 'em to hang onto it as I might not complete the event, they said keep it
and when I do complete it and come in to collect the other's monies, they'll pay the same again!! To
say I was overwhelmed is an understatement. Note to Self :- Must make more of an effort to get back
to see them more regularly.

Cheers, Dave.

"Dave" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"John B" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Dave said:

pps - I wasn't going to do it for sponsorship, but as I said, I think

it'll

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

help focus. Any idea where you get hold of the 'check cards' ?

Quoted message said:

> I don't know about Jo'G (as we went the 'easy' way) but the LE-JoG

Association

Quoted message said:

also provide a record sheet. We obtained one at LE, but ask at the JoG

Hotel.

Quoted message said:

And don't miss putting an entry into the book which is kept under the

counter.

Quoted message said:

I got my card from the LE-JOG association by joining them before and

getting it by post, but you may not have time now. They have a web site which I am sure will have a
phone number on it - maybe ring them and explain it is urgent? Otherwise can't see the problem with
a home made one. I got my card stamped in garages, Police stations, camp sites etc. Almost any
business has a stamp, and if they haven't they could sign it. I got mine signed by the Vicar in
Leominster! Jo

"Dave" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Off on a test ride to Brum now to test out the new tyres, wear the

saddle

Quoted message said:

in

Quoted message said:

a bit more and get some more sponsorship going ;-) Cheers, Dave.

Just got back from the test ride, no problems. New Conti Sport 1000s

didn't

Quoted message said:

explode, self destruct or let me down in anyway, saddle is v. comfortable already (oh yes, new
brooks, remember ?) and waterproofs worked

beautifully.

Quoted message said:

It wasn't actually raining, but they kept the moisture in perfectly (just kiddin' ;-). Popped in
to the place I took voluntary redundancy from 15 months ago. God bless 'em, not only did they
remember me, they all sponsored me for

amounts

Quoted message said:

from £5 - £40 each!!..thank god I didn't tell 'em I was only hoping for a pound each. Some were
throwing the money in my direction and when I told

'em

Quoted message said:

to hang onto it as I might not complete the event, they said keep it and when I do complete it and
come in to collect the other's monies, they'll

pay

Quoted message said:

the same again!! To say I was overwhelmed is an understatement. Note to Self :- Must make more of
an effort to get back to see them more regularly.

Cheers, Dave.

Just sat down and did my first serious bit of route planning......my god, what have I done ?!!?....
Ah well, good job I got the sponsorship going, otherwise the lure of the sofa would be just too
much!!. If I don't finish this at least 2 stone lighter I am going to be so p*ssed off!! cheers,
Dave. 'Fools jump in where angels fear to tread'...(on my gravestone please ;-)

Thus spake "Dave" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

If I don't finish this at least 2 stone lighter I am going to be so p*ssed off!!

If you as much as half a stone in weight (in 10 days), you will lose muscle & feel really awful.

--
Helen D. Vecht: [email hidden] Edgware.