LeJog - the 842 mile route

barney69

Hi,
I'm going to attempt LeJog in August this year, solo, unassisted but using B&B's and would ideally like it to be as short as possible.
I've heard a route of 842 miles mentioned - does anyone know where I could download the GPS route or even where someone has detailed it?
Thanks in advance

robklancs

ssshhhh, try the ctc dedicated forum.

robklancs

pm sent

fjrburns

I would highly recommend using Youth Hostels. They are much cheaper, many are modernised historical monuments, and much more convivial than B&Bs (you meet lots of people doing interesting things).
My LEJOG route was a CTC route, just over 1000 miles (to do less, you need to use busy roads and even dual carriageways) and I stayed n some great Youth Hostels.
You can read my journal here: http://www.frankburns.wordpress.com

amaferanga

fjrburns wrote:

I would highly recommend using Youth Hostels. They are much cheaper, many are modernised historical monuments, and much more convivial than B&Bs (you meet lots of people doing interesting things).
My LEJOG route was a CTC route, just over 1000 miles (to do less, you need to use busy roads and even dual carriageways) and I stayed n some great Youth Hostels.
You can read my journal here: http://www.frankburns.wordpress.com

Really? I'd say £20 odd quid a night for a bunk in a shared dorm is pretty damned expensive compared to not much more for a room and breakfast in a B&B.

amaferanga

You can do an enjoyable route avoiding the worst of the main roads that'll come in at about 1000 miles. Or you can do a horrible 842 mile route on main A-roads that's only really a good choice if you're trying to set a record.

It's a no-brainer is it not?

How long do you plan to take?

toontra

amaferanga wrote:

fjrburns wrote:

I would highly recommend using Youth Hostels. They are much cheaper, many are modernised historical monuments, and much more convivial than B&Bs (you meet lots of people doing interesting things).
My LEJOG route was a CTC route, just over 1000 miles (to do less, you need to use busy roads and even dual carriageways) and I stayed n some great Youth Hostels.
You can read my journal here: http://www.frankburns.wordpress.com

Really? I'd say £20 odd quid a night for a bunk in a shared dorm is pretty damned expensive compared to not much more for a room and breakfast in a B&B.

I agree. I'd much rather spend an extra few quid and have my own room. The low point of my 6-day solo LEJoG was the one night spent in a YH.

Red Rider

At the risk of digressing from the OP, I'll throw in some support for youth hostels. Some are obviously better than others. Sometimes you get lucky - got a twin room to myself for £12 in Cheddar. And if there are big groups in they can be shit.

OTOH I've met convivial people in B&Bs.

I think if you're on a budget, the difference between £15-20 for a YH and, what, at least £30-50 for a B&B, is quite a lot. Even on the low estimates, thats over a ton more on a ten day trip. Could easilyl be more.

I'd also agree with avoiding main roads though. If you're in a hurry, one option is to set off really early each day, do some big miles early on when the roads are quiet, then hit the back roads for the scenic and nicer detour. Not all direct roads are busy and horrible though.

As for route planning, Blogs are good for ideas. But it's all about planning it yourself. Surely you don't actually do work at work when you can be having fun with http://www.ridewithgps.com and checking out what roads actually look like with Google Street View...

Go on, do it yourself.

Hoopdriver

I plump for the B&B option - far, far better than youth hostels. Quieter, a private room and a hearty breakfast that will carry you pretty damn far into the day. Okay, you pay more - say you do spend another £100 on a ten-day trip. Surely enjoyment is a factor here too?

mroli

Just to say that imho, you'll have a FAR more enjoyable ride by making it a bit longer and not cycling the most direct route. For instance I should imagine that the direct route involves travelling on the A30 for significant periods of time in Cornwall. This is either busy dual carriageway or single lane with impatient motorists. Seriously think of doing a nicer route - I did one that came in just over 1000 miles and was by no means direct.

Hoopdriver

I did it in a bit over 1200 miles, wandering into Wales and Western Scotland and loved it - no way would I want to have wasted a golden opportunity to ride end-to-end by doing it on main roads. There is some lovely countryside along the way - see as much of it as you can.

barney69

WOW, thanks for all the replies guys.

I'm planning B&B for that extra bit of luxury and hopefully decent nights kip - thankfully budget isn't an issue (within reason).
I'm planning on cycling 08:00 - 18:00 (with small breaks) which will give me 1:30hrs of daylight to find some accommodation on that night as I'm not sure how much I can cover in a day or what the terrain is like (hearing the horror stories of hilly Cornwall and Scotland) - I have managed 135 and 170 miles in a day in the past in one day epics but never tried 100mile back to back

I originally told friends 10 days but, as I'm doing it solo, with no support on a 32lb tourer loaded up I am starting to doubt this - in reality I can take as long as is needed

Eskimo427

I did this a while ago and it is downloadable. I'm also planning doing it but next year and in a oner.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/LEJoG471486