Need advice for LE-JOG Solo Trip

LancerFQ

Hi i am new here but not new to cycling, i am taking on LEJOG, completely solo in aid of 2 charities who have helped my best friend with his health problems, mainly sudden majority sight loss, i will be doing this over 2 weeks, not taking a direct route, the bike i am using will be a Giant Roam 1, and i have already got Altura Orkney 56 rear panniers and a Altura Dryline rack pack ordered, I'm looking for a handlebar bag that sits on top of the handlebars not out front so it doesnt risk damaging the hydraulic lines, i seen one made by giant a few weeks ago online but cannot for the life of me find it again, also all other feedback and suggestions for equipment considered, I'm camping all the way aswell so if anyone has suggestions on a good 1 man tent then feel free, sorry if this is alot to say in my first post haha

andy9964

Have a look in your local Tesco, they had tents for £10-15 when I wanted one. Ended up getting one from Sports Direct for a fiver in a clearance sale
Both light and small (packed). Fibre glass pole type, but not a pop-up thing you throw on the floor
Just remembered, I think Aldi or Lidl have a camping sale on now, or soon. Might be worth a look.

city_boy

This might be worth a look.....

http://phased.co.uk/the-greatest-lejog-route-ever/

simonhead

Dont go the 1 man tent route, find a light 2 man, 1 man tends to be very claustrophobic and if its pi$$ing it down when you pitch and have nowhere else to relax you will soon get fed up, the extra space or porch area is also invaluable if you are planning to cook, dry clothes or even just sit and read before bed.

LancerFQ

Cheers for the bits of advice, my route i already have planned and its longer than the normal but im planning to take longer than normal anyway, my route is mainly so i can have photo opportunity with my friend who i'm doing the ride for. I know what you mean about the tent size situation, i borrowed a friends 1 man last week and rode from dundee-aberdeen-peterhead-inverness and back just to see what it would be like and i wasn't a fan, i have decided to go for a Vango Stelvio 200, i know it doesn't pack down small as most but since getting it I've been able to get used to it and can pitch it in a quarter time it says. I really do appreciate most of the folk on here's advice as I've only recently come from years of downhill riding to now doing all road riding

southdownswolf

Wow thats a heavy tent to go touring with.
I found the CTC forum fantastic for knowledge before doing my JOGLE - http://forum.ctc.org.uk/

rafletcher

I would have recommended something from the Hilleberg range of tents (but they ARE expensive), but if you've already bought one.. (though you could easily ebay it to recoup your money). " man definitely, and a decent waterproof one, not a £5 Tesco job.

As to bar bag, you won't damage anything with an "out-front" bag.

As above, check Cyclechat and CTC sites and forums, and even YACF camping section.

shaunclaridge

By camping your needs are going to be very different from what mine were- but I have posted a review on my solo LeJog equipment on my blog.....might be something of help in there. I highly recommend the topeak tour guide min bar bag by the way.

http://claridgecyclingtocurecancer.com/lejog-equipment/

lastant

shaunclaridge wrote:

I have posted a review on my solo LeJog equipment on my blog...

Similarly, there's a full list of the kit I took on the blog I set up - you'll be surprised how little you can get away with, although I did do B&B/hostels along the way rather than camping. Found that this gave me a nice target each day.