The cycle trek we decided to take for our LEJOG route with Peak Tours was to cover 990 miles, however due to a few wrong turns we managed to break the 1000 miles in total. A Lands End to John O’ Groats cycle can be achieved in 874 miles, however this requires keeping to the busy roads, something we were not too interested in, however the positive would be a lot less hills!
We opted for following the National Cycle Network (NCN) to provide us with the cycle route of choice as we meandered through the countryside of England, Wales and Scotland. For anyone looking to encounter a pleasant a cycle route as possible, I would definitely recommend the countryside views, even if it means having to cycle an additional 30 miles or so to achieve LEJOG.
The LEJOG route provided by Peak Tours was to take 14 days of cycling, starting our cycle at around 8.30am and ending at 4.30 each day. This included a break for lunch where Peak Tours provided an excellent packed lunch, usually provided within a pub car park, so access to a quick pint at lunch was always available – should you even want to consider it.
Our 14 day cycling adventure would see us cycle through some of the most fantastic countryside in the UK via the LEJOG Route but this also had its issues as “fantastic countryside” = hills. The route taken is listed below and also provided is a LEJOG diary of events for each day:
LEJOG Day 1: Land’s End to Fowey: 64 miles
LEJOG Day 2: Fowey to Moretonhampstead: 60 miles
LEJOG Day 3: Mortonhampstead to Glastonbury: 74 miles
LEJOG Day 4: Glastonbury to Monmouth: 65 miles
LEJOG Day 5: Monmouth to Clun: 57 miles
LEJOG Day 6: Clun to Runcorn: 80 miles
LEJOG Day 7: Runcorn to Slaidburn: 64 miles
LEJOG Day 8: Slaidburn to Keswick: 75 miles
LEJOG Day 9: Keswick to Moffat: 72 miles
LEJOG Day 10: Moffat to Loch Lomond: 83 miles
LEJOG Day 11: Loch Lomond to Glencoe: 66 miles
LEJOG Day 12: Glencoe to Inverness: 83 miles
LEJOG Day 13: Inverness to The Crask: 66 miles
LEJOG Day 14: The Crask to John O’ Groats: 82 miles
I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my LEJOG Blog. I hope you’ve found it interesting and feel free to post your thoughts and comments. Once again, thank you for visiting Simon’s LEJOG blog
Hi Simon,
I really enjoyed reading your blog – excellent stuff. It really does look like a life experience. One question….I noticed that there was a link to a garmin map on one of the pages but I can’t seem to find it again – would be interested to see it – would you be able to send me the link – or maybe let me know where it is hiding! many thanks, Quentin
Hi Quentin
Great ot hear you enjoyed reading my blog. I have found a few Garmin links on this forum if it helps you? http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=24488
Good luck with your LEJOG!
Simon
Hi, just wanted to mention, I loved this post. It was inspiring. Keep on posting!
Hi there, just wanted to mention, I enjoyed this article. It was inspiring. Keep on posting!
Hi there, just wanted to mention, I enjoyed this blog post. It was practical. Keep on posting!
Hi,
I’ve read your blog with interest and smiles, and would be really interested in the route in more detail as two girlfriends and I are going to attempt it next year. Did you record your route on an app as you went? Is there somewhere I can view it?
Amanda
Hi Amanda
Thanks for taking the time to reply to my blog. I would definitely recommend doing it if you get the chance, it was an amazing experience and one that you would not regret. I didn’t record the route as such only a diary entry of each stage we completed listed in the blog: http://www.swan-e.co.uk/lejog/lejog-cycle-route/
All the best
Simon
Hi Simon
My plannings for LEJOG are just at the beginning. After bycicling Donau to Black Sea this year and St. Petersburg (no puncture yet) last year it will be my challange for 2014.
Your report is very much inspiring. But there are some questions left: What might be the best time for this trip? How to get to Land’s End and how to get back from John o Groats? Plain, train?
I’m planning on my own but be open to cycle with a buddy. No tent.
Regars
Franz