+44 (0)800 002 9559 / +44 (0)1273 413489 info@bikeadventures.co.uk

lejog

I’ve just turned 40 – I’ve discovered Lycra – what’s to do….. GET ON YOUR BIKE!

By in Road Cycling Holidays Comments Off on I’ve just turned 40 – I’ve discovered Lycra – what’s to do….. GET ON YOUR BIKE!

Cycling the LEJOG routeIt’s that time in one’s life when it feels like the good years are behind you, but the great ones are ahead. You need a challenge, something to show yourself that you’ve still got what it takes to bring muscle power and will power together. But you also want to give back to the world around you.

A charity bike challenge is just what you need.

If you are reading this, the chances are you own a bike, love to get on your bike and relish the idea of a challenge on your bike!

One of the most popular challenges for most people looking to do a charity bike ride is the Land’s End to John O’Groats – otherwise known as the LEJOG (or JOGLE if you want to do it in reverse – cycling backwards is not a requirement!)

It’s not a challenge to be sniffed at – it’s a trip that takes in just over 1000 miles of some of the most beautiful countryside of the British Isles. You will cycle through North Cornwall, cross the River Severn, taking in the scenic views of Herefordshire, and on into Northern England and up to the Scottish Border. Pass through the hills of Southern Uplands, and, if you have the energy to lift your hands off your bars, wave to ‘Nessie’ as you near your final destination – John O’Groats. Phew! But it’s not all in one go; at the end of each day there is a bed and a hot meal waiting for you.

LEJOG tour groupSo you may not complete the trip in 44 hours, 4 mins and 20 secs as done by Gethin Butler in 2001 but by riding with Bike Adventures you will be in very safe and experienced hands. Our trip durations range from 9 days for very experienced cyclists, through 15 days to a more leisurely 21 days for those with time to relax and enjoy the beautiful British scenery.

Bike Adventures have been running the LEJOG tour for over 14 years and can help you every step of the way in getting your charity challenge off to a racing start. From the initial advice about training plans and the best way to go about fundraising, to having the best tour guides in the business, we are there to assist you.

So, what are you waiting for? There’s no time like the present and no present like time, so ‘Get on Your Bike’, choose your charity and tick the LEJOG challenge off your bucket list: https://www.bikeadventures.co.uk/bike-tours/road-cycling-lands-end-to-john-o-groats/

Lands End to John O’Groats: What’s it all about?

By in Road Cycling Holidays Comments Off on Lands End to John O’Groats: What’s it all about?

For many people completing the famous route from Lands End to John O’Groats, also known as LEJOG, is a lifelong ambition. Riding from the very southwest of the country to the tip in the northeast is an incredible achievement, but it certainly isn’t a challenge to be taken lightly.

Signpost at John O'GroatsThe acclaimed journey dates back to the 1870s when two brothers walked the distance! However, the route didn’t become a well traversed one until the 1960s. Since then, completing the ‘End to End’ has become a challenge that many people want to complete.

The traditional distance by road is 874 miles and takes most cyclists 10-14 days, however there isn’t an official route to follow so the ‘End to End’ distance can vary. At Bike Adventures, our tours tend to be just over 1000 miles, where possible we try to avoid major roads and traffic. This gives you the chance to truly experience and appreciate the beauty that can be found in the English countryside.

The fastest time recorded on a conventional bicycle was set in 2001 by Gethin Butler, who completed the distance in just 44 hours, 4 minutes and 20 seconds. Don’t worry, our tours give you a little more time to travel from end to end! Depending on your own personal preferences and level of experience, you can choose to complete the distance in as little as 9 days, or if you’d prefer to take a more scenic route, you can ride it in a leisurely 26 days.

The trip traditionally begins in Lands End because it gives you the opportunity to take advantage of the winds that predominantly travel from the south-west of the UK. If you’re lucky, you could be flying all the way to John O’Groats! However, you can do it all in reverse and tackle the steep inclines found in Devon and Cornwall at the end of the trip, when you’ll probably find that your fitness has improved too by then.

In taking on this big, bold challenge, you’ll be following in the cycle tracks of former England Rugby Captain – Lewis Moody and Olympian – James Cracknell. The route has also been tackled by David Walliams, Jimmy Carr, Fearne Cotton, Miranda Hart, and other celebrities as part of a team relay to raise money for charity.

If you fancy getting on your bike and riding from one end of the country to the other, get in touch with our knowledgeable team and we can help you to achieve your goal.

Cycling Holidays UK

By in Road Cycling Holidays Comments Off on Cycling Holidays UK
 

Riding the iconic UK Land’s End to John O’Groats

 

LEJOG end to end cycle map

Cycling holidays – Land’s End to John O’Groats

 

Nothing… tips the balance against the enjoyment of a cycling tour through England today. Immediacy of contact with all the country sights and sounds, with the oddities and endless beauties of by-road village, the placidity or weekly bustle of unsophisticated market town…”

So wrote Frederick Alderson (England by Bicycle) in 1974. What was true of cycling holidays in 1974, remains true of cycling holidays today – if you know where to ride! Indeed, if you know which routes to take it is possible to cycle from Land’s End in Cornwall to John O’Groats at the northern tip of Scotland (the iconic UK ‘End to End’ ride) mainly on quiet roads, while taking in some of the most scenic countryside in the UK.

And the English countryside is truly scenic – gently rolling hills, verdant fields and hedgerows, foreboding mountains, tranquil lochs, thatched cottages, shifting patterns of light and colour, ancient pubs, the list goes on! Even the weather (at the right times of the year!) lends itself to the perfect cycling holiday, being rarely too hot or too cold. In short, a tour through the UK, particularly by bike, should be on everyone’s bucket list.

Bike Adventures has been running ‘End to End’ (also know as the LEJOG) cycle tours for 14 years. We have helped hundreds of  people to realise their dream of cycling the UK from top to bottom. To be clear, riding the ‘End to End’ in 2 weeks is a significant challenge but with our expert support it is something our clients nearly always achieve, and never forget.

Our latest route runs from Land’s End, along the north Cornish coast, across the wilds of Bodmin Moor and Dartmoor, and up through the famous Cheddar Gorge. We cross the magnificent bridge over the River Severn and continue north through the lovely rolling countryside of Herefordshire and Shropshire. We then head through the beautiful countryside of northern England, passing through the Yorkshire Dales and the Eden Valley in Cumbria. After crossing the Scottish border we continue across the Southern Uplands to Glasgow, passing through the centre of the city on local cycle paths. We then enter the wilds of northern Scotland, passing close to Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain, and along the shore of Loch Ness on the way to the small settlement of John O’Groats.

Our clients have the option to choose a fully supported tour, with expert guides, vehicle support, accommodation, and luggage transportation; or an independent tour where we will plot the route, provide ‘turn by turn’ directions and pre-book all your accommodation. These wonderful tours can also be completed in a variety of times (from a very challenging 9 days, to a very relaxed 21 days) and, indeed, in the reverse direction.

 

Steve’s Land’s End to John O’Groats

Starting May 27th I will be repeating the 2005 expedition but this time in just 9 days (last time we took 10).  Although I have ridden higher daily mileages OR more days this is the first time I have ever tried to do 9 consecutive 100 milers.

I am riding with some work colleagues who are all virgins as far as long distance cycle touring is concerned.  I have maturity (who laughed) and experience on my side but they have youth and vigour – they are between 11 and 17 years my junior. 

We catch the morning train to Penzance then quickly nip down to Land’s End for the ritual photos before returning to Penzance for the night.  We then start the real work on Saturday.  At  the moment the weather for the weekend is mixed news:  wet (bad) but with strong winds from the SW (very very good).