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.
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 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 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 a 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.
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 or
Nick Priors blog
Tour dates:
Sat 12th - Sun 27th May 2012 - TOUR FULL
Sat 9th - Sun 24th June 2012 Only 5 places left
Sat 7th - Sun 22nd July 2012 - TOUR FULL
Sat 4th - Sun 19th August 2012 - 12 Places available
Sat 8th - Sun 23rd September 2012 TOUR FULL
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, souvenir T-shirt, 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 B&B's throughout or a mixture of B&B's & hostels (approx 50/50). If you chose the B&B option you will stay in twin or double rooms. If you are travelling alone you will share a twin room rotated with others that have chose the same accommodation option. If you chose the single room option (additional £350) then you will have your own room throughout. If you chose the hostel option you will be in a dormitory room at the hostels & share a twin or triple room at B&B's (always with members of the same sex).
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.
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 (£50) 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.
