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79 Comments
Reply
dave
09:49 PM on July 19, 2009
good on you mate.
you are crazy though...im planning a solo trip but definatly not that quick
you are crazy though...im planning a solo trip but definatly not that quick
Reply
2wheelsgood
04:00 PM on May 17, 2009
Hi Duncan,
I?m afraid that I was using A roads quite a bit and found them nowhere near as bad as I had feared.
From Bristol I took the A403 up to the Severn Bridge (M48) which has a cycle route over it ? definitely scenic! I then took the A466 (past Tintern Abbey ? Scenic!) up to Monmouth. That?s where I made my one navigational mistake. I should have stayed on the A466 but took the A40 then the A4137 ? not good.
Other options would be to take the B4293 which I?m told is scenic but add some climbs and work. From Monmouth I?d intended to take the A466 which is quietish but will lead you up to the A49.
My experience was that the scenic option often means a lot more effort and other than a few of the big towns up north the A roads served me well.
On fundraising I just stuck to friends and family and a Justgiving website. I had a go at getting some bike shops interested but to no avail. Apparently Asda are supporting Chris Hoy
All the best on your attempt ? if I?m around and you want a pedalling partner for Shropshire sections give me a shout.
If you want to see my route visit:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=1095790
63928154965047.000442fe8835bb9dc395d&z=5
Cheers,
Robin.
I?m afraid that I was using A roads quite a bit and found them nowhere near as bad as I had feared.
From Bristol I took the A403 up to the Severn Bridge (M48) which has a cycle route over it ? definitely scenic! I then took the A466 (past Tintern Abbey ? Scenic!) up to Monmouth. That?s where I made my one navigational mistake. I should have stayed on the A466 but took the A40 then the A4137 ? not good.
Other options would be to take the B4293 which I?m told is scenic but add some climbs and work. From Monmouth I?d intended to take the A466 which is quietish but will lead you up to the A49.
My experience was that the scenic option often means a lot more effort and other than a few of the big towns up north the A roads served me well.
On fundraising I just stuck to friends and family and a Justgiving website. I had a go at getting some bike shops interested but to no avail. Apparently Asda are supporting Chris Hoy
All the best on your attempt ? if I?m around and you want a pedalling partner for Shropshire sections give me a shout.
If you want to see my route visit:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=1095790
63928154965047.000442fe8835bb9dc395d&z=5
Cheers,
Robin.
Reply
Duncan Smorfitt
06:23 PM on May 14, 2009
Hi there,
I've just had a read of you website and what you have done looks really great. I'm in the process now of planning a lejog and am departing sometime at the end of next month.
All seems to be going well so far. The one section of the trip which I am confused about however is between Bristol and Shrewsbury. I am looking for a scenic route and would want to avoid A roads where possible. I've heard about the wye valley but can;t seem to find much on where is best! was wondering if u could shed some light!
Also was wondering if and how u got sponsorship? I am currently doing a quite a bit of fundraising to some success but am desperately searching for a corporate/business sposnor as they go such a long way in donating to the charity and help a lot.
Regards
I've just had a read of you website and what you have done looks really great. I'm in the process now of planning a lejog and am departing sometime at the end of next month.
All seems to be going well so far. The one section of the trip which I am confused about however is between Bristol and Shrewsbury. I am looking for a scenic route and would want to avoid A roads where possible. I've heard about the wye valley but can;t seem to find much on where is best! was wondering if u could shed some light!
Also was wondering if and how u got sponsorship? I am currently doing a quite a bit of fundraising to some success but am desperately searching for a corporate/business sposnor as they go such a long way in donating to the charity and help a lot.
Regards
Reply
Robin
04:07 PM on March 05, 2009
Hi David,
The bivvying was fine and in some ways a lot less stressful than coping with well meaning B&B old ladies. I had very little kit and that all fitted in the bivvy. I had a v. lightweight cable lock that I used on the bike and parked it close. The spots I picked were well hidden so chances of being stumbled on were very remote anyway. Thermarests (light & small version) was great.
June was a good time to go - long hours of daylight and there's plenty of options for filling up with water and ice cream along the way if it gets hot. I'd certainly opt for the summer months.
If you've got routes/plans for a round Britain ride I'd be interested in hearing more!
Hope that helps.
Cheers,
Robin.
The bivvying was fine and in some ways a lot less stressful than coping with well meaning B&B old ladies. I had very little kit and that all fitted in the bivvy. I had a v. lightweight cable lock that I used on the bike and parked it close. The spots I picked were well hidden so chances of being stumbled on were very remote anyway. Thermarests (light & small version) was great.
June was a good time to go - long hours of daylight and there's plenty of options for filling up with water and ice cream along the way if it gets hot. I'd certainly opt for the summer months.
If you've got routes/plans for a round Britain ride I'd be interested in hearing more!
Hope that helps.
Cheers,
Robin.
Reply
David Noble
04:10 PM on March 04, 2009
Hello
And first of all, Well Done on your achievement!
I have recently been inspired by the Red Nose Climb and my sisters experince upon Mt Everest, to get out there, get fit, and do something challenging.
I have for a long time liked the idea of cycling / walking the coastline of Great Britain, but after a little bit of resarch and discovering it will be nearly 11,000 miles, I am thinking a smaller task is required first.
I have stumbled upon many LEJoG sites, but none have been as bold as to do it in just a bivvy. Everyone else seems to of used B&Bs / YHAs etc. Money is not something I am rolling in so cheap is definatly the way forward.
My question to you is how did you cope physically in sleeping rough, and what did you do with your valuables (esp your bike) when it was time to sleep? surely you couldnt fit much more than yourself in the Bivvy with you.
Another quick thought : looking back on you experience, any reccomendations on the best time of year to go?
And first of all, Well Done on your achievement!
I have recently been inspired by the Red Nose Climb and my sisters experince upon Mt Everest, to get out there, get fit, and do something challenging.
I have for a long time liked the idea of cycling / walking the coastline of Great Britain, but after a little bit of resarch and discovering it will be nearly 11,000 miles, I am thinking a smaller task is required first.
I have stumbled upon many LEJoG sites, but none have been as bold as to do it in just a bivvy. Everyone else seems to of used B&Bs / YHAs etc. Money is not something I am rolling in so cheap is definatly the way forward.
My question to you is how did you cope physically in sleeping rough, and what did you do with your valuables (esp your bike) when it was time to sleep? surely you couldnt fit much more than yourself in the Bivvy with you.
Another quick thought : looking back on you experience, any reccomendations on the best time of year to go?
Reply
2wheelsgood
01:37 PM on February 19, 2009
Hi John,
I think I've finally managed to find a way to respond to guest book comments!
My training was a 30+ round trip commute (on average 3 days per week) plus a few longer rides as I could fit them in.
With limited time I stuck to main routes (see the google maps link further down the comments) and they weren?t too bad at all. But the main towns in the north of England were a bit hairy at times.
Doing it again I?d probably take the old road running parallel to the A30 SW of Exeter.
I had a great time ? youth hostels were good and generally had secure space for the bike. The backdoor approach to motorway services was great (many have showers hidden away for lorry drivers I guess) ? handy if your route runs parallel with M6 / A74.
Other than the obvious the most essential bit of kit would be a good pair of padded gloves. I was loosing the use of my fingers by day five, admittedly my bike gives a pretty harsh ride.
Getting to and from the ends can be tricky great if you can plan and book trains or have someone to pick you up. I trained to the start which was fine and did a one way car hire on the way back. Unbelievably cheaper than the train but an extra days riding.
If you want I?ve got a list of the kit I took I could email to you.
Good luck and let me know if you?ve got other questions and if you?re passing through Shropshire.
Cheers,
Robin.
I think I've finally managed to find a way to respond to guest book comments!
My training was a 30+ round trip commute (on average 3 days per week) plus a few longer rides as I could fit them in.
With limited time I stuck to main routes (see the google maps link further down the comments) and they weren?t too bad at all. But the main towns in the north of England were a bit hairy at times.
Doing it again I?d probably take the old road running parallel to the A30 SW of Exeter.
I had a great time ? youth hostels were good and generally had secure space for the bike. The backdoor approach to motorway services was great (many have showers hidden away for lorry drivers I guess) ? handy if your route runs parallel with M6 / A74.
Other than the obvious the most essential bit of kit would be a good pair of padded gloves. I was loosing the use of my fingers by day five, admittedly my bike gives a pretty harsh ride.
Getting to and from the ends can be tricky great if you can plan and book trains or have someone to pick you up. I trained to the start which was fine and did a one way car hire on the way back. Unbelievably cheaper than the train but an extra days riding.
If you want I?ve got a list of the kit I took I could email to you.
Good luck and let me know if you?ve got other questions and if you?re passing through Shropshire.
Cheers,
Robin.
Reply
John
08:36 AM on February 19, 2009
Hi and well done 7 days.. good riding... I am in training my self to do joG to LE in May 2009, currently finalising my route and woudl be grateful for any advice.. i have 12 days for mine... look foward to hearing from you.
Reply
Alex Martin
11:09 AM on January 09, 2009
Hi, thanks for the great site. Can you send me the details of what kit you used to carry your stuff? i.e. the seat post bag you used and what handle bar bag you also went for? i'm trying to copy your set up so would appreciate any feedback! thanks alot
Reply
Colin Adamson
06:12 PM on December 04, 2008
Well done ! I am contemplating a JoGLE and looking for hints and tips, so i am going through all the web sites. Your site was one of the best.
Reply
2wheelsgood
04:55 PM on November 04, 2008
ROUTE INFO
Hi, I'm more than happy to go though the route. But I can find no way of getting back in contact unless you leave an email. Alternatively email me at themagerstalktalk.net or check out Google Maps
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=1095790
63928154965047.000442fe8835bb9dc395d&ll=54.367759,-4.130859&spn=1
3.186135,33.75&z=5
Hi, I'm more than happy to go though the route. But I can find no way of getting back in contact unless you leave an email. Alternatively email me at themagerstalktalk.net or check out Google Maps
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=1095790
63928154965047.000442fe8835bb9dc395d&ll=54.367759,-4.130859&spn=1
3.186135,33.75&z=5
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