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Post by gary on Oct 3, 2006 7:31:47 GMT
I am planning to finally ride Lands end John O Groats some time in 2007 I intend to do it the hard way unaided and camping. I know its not the greatest ride in the world but for me it will be a fantastic achievement. I think I can spare 2-3 weeks prefer 2 any advice anybody wishes to offer will be gratefully received. I intend to average 70 mile per day. I am currently 14 stone and hope to reduce this to 12.5 by the summer this will allow me to carry some extra weight on the bike. I will be using the dawes super galexy for the trip and my usual kit list + a few extras.
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Post by butterfly on Oct 3, 2006 14:14:28 GMT
That sounds cool. Sorry, I can't help, I've never done it. I'm sure it will be great though.  Good luck. |
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Post by bikepacker on Oct 4, 2006 19:03:22 GMT
Gary. I have done this twice and could write a thesis on the subject but what specifically do you want to know? I am much older and heavier than you and have just done a month of cycle camping around Britain, averaging around 55 miles per day. See my web page for ideas on what to take. www.bikepacker.co.uk |
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Post by gary on Oct 5, 2006 7:53:20 GMT
Hi BP What I am after is just general thoughts experiences etc I think I have the technical side of equip lists etc covered Ill probably use my own that I have developed over the past 30 years and of course has been well publicized on www.touringcyclist.co.uk I Have completed many tour in the past however the end to end has always eluded me. So I am quite looking forward to It. BP maybe you would like to share your experience with us on the forum. Regards Gary. |
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Post by bikepacker on Oct 5, 2006 17:43:58 GMT
Gary. As many members know I have only returned from a summer of bike touring and need to sort out other things first. I will however put something together and post it but it will probably be a couple of weeks. Some pictures from my first e2e ridden with Pauline are on our other site at www.by-bike.co.uk this was a B&B tour. |
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Post by gary on Oct 5, 2006 18:14:28 GMT
Hi BP
Lovely pictures now you have insipred me even more if that was possible cant wait for your travelogues when you were camping how many miles a day were you doing? Also I guess you are now retired to be able to spend all summer touring you lucky chap. have you any winter trips planned?
Regards Gary.
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Post by bikepacker on Oct 5, 2006 18:56:07 GMT
Yes I am retired.
As for this winter things are uncertain at the moment. Originally me and Pauline planned to cycle Thailand and Cambodia but Pauline has a medical condition which needs to be treated first. So we are waiting on the doctors.
When I cycle camp I do about 55 miles a day when on my own. When Pauline is with me we usually do about 45 to 50.
On the E2E we averaged 68 a day but that was doing B&B.
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mlj
Junior Member
Posts: 39
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Post by mlj on Oct 16, 2006 11:32:25 GMT
Gary
The end-to-end is merely a collection of day rides, the hardest part being to begin again each day - especially after a day of continual rain/headwinds/whatever. When I did it camping my usual 100-mile day came out at 72 miles average as I went to proper campsites but colleagues I advised then, as newcomers to cycle touring, did it in 17 days without first building up strength! camping gear carried.
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Post by bikepacker on Oct 16, 2006 20:28:35 GMT
I have now put some details of my East to West ride onto my website. www.bikepacker.co.uk and follow the links. |
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Post by gary on Oct 17, 2006 18:00:38 GMT
Hi Mike
Thats a good way of looking at it. I agree the hard bit is facing it the next day however I do enjoy the prospect of 14 days on the road. I often do weekly tours so I will consider this to be just an added week. Mike do you have a list of the camp sites you used this would be very useful.
Many Thanks
Gary
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mlj
Junior Member
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Post by mlj on Oct 18, 2006 16:31:07 GMT
Gary
The most useful campsite listing I have found (which can be actually carried on the tour!) is that published annually by IPC. It is compiled by the Motor Caravan club and is a paperback at about £7 - my current copy is 2005 as I renew it intermittently. Nearly every site listed takes tents. Usually available from end Feb at Smiths, etc.
Mark
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Post by gary on Feb 22, 2008 19:48:10 GMT
Well the trip never happend had to have some surgery on my left knee and it took a while to recover but starting to get some miles under my belt now and just maybe I can get the time this year.  |
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Post by ukdodger on Mar 14, 2008 20:05:15 GMT
Well the trip never happend had to have some surgery on my left knee and it took a while to recover but starting to get some miles under my belt now and just maybe I can get the time this year. Good luck Gary. Like you I've been planning for the trip for some months and been busily engaged hunting down advice. Here are some links if you havent discovered them already for yourself: This bloke did it both ways! www.lejogandback.blogspot.com/This bloke did it in 41 hours! www.windcheetah.co.uk/record.htmThis book was recommended to me. I've got it and it looks very good. It has a mountain of information on the route, sites, B&B's and advice. www.amazon.co.uk/Bike-Britain-Cycling-Lands-OGroats/dp/0958225613/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205524363&sr=1-5I shall be doing it later this year or the next, like you, alone. Good luck and if you pass an old boy on a seventies green bike give us a wave. Cheers Roger |
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Good luck.