End-to-End on a Moulton APB21

fjrburns

LEJOG or JOGLE (depending on which end you start from) has become Everyman’s Everest. In fact it shares much in common with the medieval notion of ‘pilgrimage’ but without the spiritual connotations.
I last completed this most iconic of routes back in 1982, riding a bespoke Evans tourer, accompanied by five students, raising funds for Save the Children.
Two years ago, I made a last minute decision to repeat the journey, but this time as a solo adventure, unsupported and with nothing booked other than my train tickets to and from both ends.
I not only wanted to re-visit the journey in minimalist fashion (I carried only one Carradice saddlebag, sleeping bag and bivvy tent), but I wanted to put my Alex Moulton APB21 through its paces and see how it fared on a journey above 1000 miles. Most people have preconceived notions about small wheeled bikes, and many that I met en route expressed disbelief about its suitability for such a venture, but the reality was that I averaged 85 miles per day (some days were over 100 miles) with a remarkable degree of comfort and speed.
The Moulton’s combination of a well-designed rigid frame, suspension front and rear, and more than adequate gearing, made this a perfect long-distance machine, and one that can be separated into two halves, bagged and carried onto trains as hand-luggage.
To read more about this venture, click here: http://www.frankburns.wordpress.com

Tim Farr

Before the launch of the Moulton, as a publicity stunt, they took it to Iceland for some rough surface touring.

I believe that Moulton also hired Dave Duffield as a pro to bolster the bike's racing credentials. I have a photo of DD (or someone else) on a Moulton 'off the back' in a race at the Blackpool Cycling Weekend (1962?)

They also hired that fantastic time triallist John Woodburn and I recall that he beat some place to place record such as Bath to London.

Dave Duffield was also keen on place to place rides and i'm just wondering whether either he or John Woodburn as a Moulton pro attempted or completed the E2E. Anyone know? So fjr you may not be the first!!

fjrburns

I am absolutely sure that I am not the first to do such a venture on a Moulton. I do know that 3 Moultons set off to complete the LEL last year (London-Edinburgh-London 1300kms) and at least one completed it (many riders pulled out because of appalling weather).
I know the RAAM (Race Across America) has seen a Moulton compete, and several Moultons have completed the PBP (Paris-Brest-Paris 1200kms).

The APB model was the functional workhorse developed in the 90s, so doesn't have the glitter of the New Series or Double Pylon. But still a great machine over long distances.

http://www.frankburns.wordpress.com