Lands End to John O'Groats

The Lands End to John O’Groats cycle tour or LEJOG conjures up a variety of images, an escapade, a challenge, hard work, a puncture or two, stunning scenery, and a tremendous sense of achievement. Since the 1960’s the End to End has become a firm favourite with the British people. Every year, walkers, cyclists, joggers and runners navigate the length of the British Isles.

Lands End to John O'Groats
Activity:
Cycling tour
Length:
15 days, 15 nights
Grade:
Hard
Accomodation:
B&B
Group/Guided:
Yes
Price:
From £1495 to £1695 depending on your choice of accommodation

Experience tells us that the best way to traverse the length of the country; is from the southwest to the northeast. The rationale behind this choice revolves around wind and transport. The prevailing wind blows from the southwest and the transport connections work best when returning from the northeast of Scotland.

The LEJOG route we will be taking is undertaken over 14 days and we aim to keep away from busy roads wherever possible. It encompasses some of the United Kingdom’s most spectacular countryside and exhilarating cycling.

You are provided with detailed route notes, maps & for those with Garmins we also have LEJOG GPX files of the route. A tour leader cycles at the back of the group & there is a support vehicle on hand should you require assistance. We also carry a few spare bikes just in case you have any major mechanical problems. Lunches are provided at a pub or a café each day & all your luggage is moved for you.

Whilst emphasis is always on safety we aim to provide a relaxed approach to cycle touring & wish to facilitate a fun and enjoyable tour with many laughs & memorable moments along the way. Our training days in the Peak District are designed to build confidence and discuss some of the logistics of completing a successful Lands End to John o'Groats tour.

The distance we will travel is approximately 990 miles, with an average mileage of 71 miles per day. It should be borne in mind that a reasonably fit cyclist will average around 10 miles per hour and therefore we will be in the saddle each day for around 7-8 hours.

We will pick you up from Penzance at the start of the tour & at the end we take you from John O’Groats back to Inverness with a drop off at the airport & also the station. If you are worried about getting your bike home at the end of the trip we can arrange for it to be packed, boxed & sent to your address for you so you can relax when you have completed the challenge.

To view photos of the latest tours please click here May 2012 LEJOG June 2012 LEJOG July 2012 LEJOG August 2012 LEJOG September 2012 LEJOG April/May 2013 LEJOG

Many of our previous lejogers have written journals and blogs about their adventure. If you would like to read their accounts of the trip click on the following links Simon Swans blog (April 2011) or Jim Jenkins (USA) article (July 2011) or Nick Priors blog (Sept 2011) or Sue Blakes blog (Aug 2012) or Janet Mcroberts blog (Aug 2012) or Gill Caines blog (Sept 2012)

Tour dates:

Sat 11th - Sun 26th May 2013 - 3 Places now available

Sat 1st - Sun 16th June 2013 - - TOUR FULL

Sat 22nd June - Sun 7th July 2013 - TOUR FULL

Sat 6th - Sun 21st July 2013 - TOUR FULL

Sat 27th July - Sun 11th August 2013- TOUR FULL

Sat 10th - Sun 25th August 2013 - TOUR FULL

Sat 31st August - Sun 15th September 2013 - Places available No single room places

Sat 7th - Sun 22nd September 2013 - Only 5 Places left

Please note that there are a limited number of single rooms available (£1995). Currently they have all been taken however you may choose the 'sole use of a double' option (£2195) if you would prefer a room to yourself. Please note that there are places available staying in a mixture of hostels and B&B's (£1495) or B&B's only sharing a twin or double room (1695).

***If you have a group of 8 people or more then ad hoc tours can also be arranged specific to your group***

2014 Dates now available

Sat 19th April - Sun 4th May 2014 - Places available

Sat 10th - Sun 25th May 2014 - Places available

Sat 7th - Sun 22nd June 2014 - Places available

Sat 28th June - Sun 13th July 2014 - Places available

Sat 5th - Sun 20th July 2014 - Places available

Sat 26th July - Sun 10th August 2014 - Places available

Sat 9th - Sun 24th August 2014 - Places available

Sat 30th August- Sun 14th September 2014 - Places available

Or why not go for something a bit different and cycle the opposite two corners? Dover to Cape Wrath

Ready to go St. Michaels Mount Lunch Stop Superb routes Lunch Great Views Glen Coe Loch Naver Back up van Leaving The Crask Joh o'Groats

What's Included?

The tour price includes 15 nights accommodation, 15 breakfasts, 14 lunches, snacks, Tea, coffee, & hot chocolate, full trip support including a tour leader that cycles with the group, back up van with spare parts and a few spare bikes, detailed route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace, certificate, luggage transfer each day, transfer from Penzance to Lands End and transfer from John O’Groats to Inverness.

What's Not Included?

Evening meals, cycle hire (available for a fee), transport to Penzance, transport from Inverness.

Group Size

The group will be a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 25 people. We feel that this size of group works best as there will always be enough in the group for some good company but there won’t be so many people that it becomes overcrowded.

Accommodation

You have a choice of staying in a mixture of hostels and B&B's (£1495) or B&B's only sharing a double or a twin room (£1695). If you would like your own space then you can choose the single room option (£1995) or sole occupancy of a double (£2195). Most of the rooms are en-suite however there maybe a few nights where your room isn't en-suite.

Route

Although the shortest route from Lands End to John O’Groats is 874 miles our route of 990 miles avoids main roads and takes in some of the UK’s most beautiful scenery. Wherever possible we cycle along quiet country lanes and cycleways and only join main roads when we absolutely have to. The terrain is varied but generally undulating rolling fields and hills with some areas hillier than others (primarily Cornwall, Dartmoor, Lake District & Scotland).

Food

All of your breakfasts and lunches are included in the price of the trip. You will have a choice of full English, toast, cereals, fruit juices, tea, coffee etc. Lunches will be provided each day and will generally be a buffet at a cafe or a country pub. Evening meals can be bought at your accommodation or in a nearby pub. We also have fruit, biscuits, nuts etc in the back up van that you are welcome to pick at throughout the day.

Back Up

An experienced tour leader will cycle with you each day and be on hand to help with any bike problems that may occur. You will have detailed route notes so that you can go slower or faster than the leader if you prefer or you can cycle behind the tour leader so that you don’t have to navigate at all.

A back up van will leap frog the group a number of times each day so that help is never far away. We carry a range of spare parts so that repairs can be made en-route and we will have a spare bike available in the event that your bike has a serious breakdown.

Bikes

We highly recommend that you use a bike that you are used to and feel comfortable riding. Your bike should be fully serviced and in good condition before you start, this will reduce the risk of mechanical problems and unnecessary stoppages along the way. Either a road bike or a hybrid bike is preferable however the ride can be done on a mountain bike if you prefer. We have a range of hybrid bikes available for hire (£100 per person) if you don’t have your own bike. At the end of your trip we can arrange for your bike to be sent to your address (£55 in mainland UK) if you don't want the hassle of transporting it yourself.

Fitness

This tour is suitable for someone with a good level of fitness and who wants a challenge. If you do plenty of training beforehand you should have no problem completing the ride. We will have a training day in the Peak District available if you would like to join the group before the main event.

It must be stressed that a good amount of training before the ride will make your tour much more enjoyable and ensure that you finish your ride. We are always happy to advise you about training plans in preparation for the ride.

Clothing & Equipment

Clothing for all weathers is recommended so waterproofs are essential. A full recommended kit list is provided & we are always happy to answer any questions that you may have.

You can do washing at many of the B&B's & hostels so that you don't have to bring a mountain of clothes.

Insurance

It is highly recommended that you take out adequate insurance to cover against, personal accident, loss of belongings and cancellation cover.

Support Peak Tours

Keep up to date

Join Our Email List
Email:  
For Email Marketing you can trust
Visit our FaceBook Page
Visit our Twitter Page

Our Partners

peak district national park authority derby and derbyshire economic partnership

This business was partly financed by the New Environmental Economy Programme, a grant scheme funded by the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership and managed by the Peak District National Park Authority.

News

April/May 2013 LEJOG Photos

- Well done to everyone that completed the April/May 2013 Lands End to John o'Groats tour. To view photos of the latest tour please view April/May 2013 LEJOG

Dover to Cape Wrath

We are pleased to announce that we will be running two new Dover to Cape Wrath tours in July and August 2013. The Dover to Cape Wrath tour is the opposite two corners from the LEJOG tour and we are very excited about undertaking this trip.

Dover to Cape Wrath

WAY OF THE ROSES TOUR

This is a truly superb tour. a 4 day coast to coast passing through some amazing scenery and without the crowds. Well done to all of our little group of five that all completed the tour - I thoroughly enjoyed our maiden voyage, Steve.October 2012 Way of the Roses

Way of the Roses

Coast to coast

Well done to all of those that completed the October 2012 Coast to coast. See photos below. Dates are now available for 2013.

October Coast to coast

What our customers say

Just wanted to say thanks for a fantastic experience. The support provided by yourself, Graham and Phil was superb and very reassuring. Everything ran so smoothly it probably doesn't make us appreciate the effort that has to go into the organisation and looking after everybody's different needs. What was most impressive was that support always seemed to be able to be provided to everybody no matter where they were on the route. I still don't know how you managed that with no sign of stress shown by any of you.

Tony W, April 2013

Thank you, Steve, for sending along the great photos. I have thoroughly enjoyed going through each one just now and once more reliving our outstanding adventure together. I fear my poor wife and dear friends back here at home in the States are tiring of my endless chatter about LEJOG. But it will remain always one of the best and most fun things I have ever done in my life. I loved each day as well as being with all of you. Please know of my great gratitude for everyone's good cheer having a lone American along for the ride; y'all were very gracious to me! You Brits have one gloriously beautiful kingdom, and it was a privilege for me to see the country this way.

Leigh S, April 2013

"An amazing experience, the weather, body, bike, and social challenges. The journey became more physically, and mentally achievable as the days went by. It made me draw so deep everyday on many different levels, that I can not begin to tell you (it has enabled me to grow and develop in mind, body, and soul!). I almost did not want it to end.......Why not spend the rest of your life cycling around the world, living out of a rucksack, and a pannier! However, life goes on, and I would miss my good friends!"

Tracy O, April 2013

The Accommodation was great and the owners where very friendly and helpful and the ones doing our washing was a great help.

Loved the route with some great traffic free roads and lovely views.

Route notes where excellent and very clear to read so they tell me as we left that up to Jim and Tony !!!

The tour organisation was excellent much better than I had expected. A big thanks to you, Phil and Graham, you all could not have been more helpful.

I loved the tour, we had a great time and met lots of nice people so its something I will never forget.

I will have no problems in recommending your tour to any one so thanks again for making LEJOG such a great 14 days and hope all goes well in the future.

Mark G, April 2013

Thanks again for the trip, I have stayed at some pretty nice resorts and not had the good time I had with your operation.

I have told people about it and mentioned that your 100% professional as are Graham and Phil.

I have never seen 24 strangers 27 including you guys, for 2 weeks be in such close quarters without a cross word or bad comment about something, that alone says you ran a successful trip. A good time was had all around.

Dana F, April 2013

Clearly a lot of effort had gone into ensuring the best possible route at all times.

Route notes faultless, knowledge of the route by Peak Tours very good – realistic and sensible

Steve, Phil & Graham could not have been more helpful, more supportive, always smiling, always there, quietly efficient

Thank you for making what had been a long term ambition come true – the support and service you offered made it possible for me

Punch M, April 2013

Route was brilliant with good use of NCN etc. It was amazing that you managed to keep the route notes so accurate. Notes backed up by excellent briefing each morning.

Brilliant organisation, brilliant leadership and a brilliant experience from start to finish. Many Thanks to Steve Graham & Phil.

Trevor C, April 2013

Perfection on Wheels!

April 2013

Route was fantastic – quiet country lanes with A roads at a minimum. I find this difficult to do for local training routes so to have such a great routes for the length of the UK shows the preparation and planning you have carried out.

For what must be a daunting task I thought the tour organisation was excellent. Morning debrief very good idea, route notes good, arrangements with luggage van , brew van etc - excellent. All the staff very approachable and more than helpful with any questions even at the end of a long day.

Good mix of choice of pubs some evenings / group meals on others. Tour cost seemed reasonable when we booked it up when you broke it down day by day. Having been on the tour and experienced what was provided this is definitely the case.

Thank you for helping me achieve an ambition / dream I have had since I was 15 years old.

Steve P, April 2013

The tour organisation was ten out of ten, I think you had everything covered. I wish I was doing it again next week.

David W, April 2013