LEJOG - local/previous knowledge required

[Lpoolck]

Just to update I have so far completed three days. The routes have been fantastic until now so thanks again for all those who have contributed.

The only bad section I have had to deal with was the first 7 miles on today's ride out of cheddar (edited as originally put Okehampton). There is alot of detours on the cycle path due to maintenance/building works and alot of the path isn't suitable for a road bike and barely suitable for a mountain bike. I thought I'd pass this on just in case anyone is passing the area in the imminent future.

Thanks again.

 

[Ian H]

I didn't know there was a cyclepath there. I'd use the old A30 through Sticklepath, etc.

 

[Lpoolck]

Sorry I meant the first 7 miles out cheddar not Okehampton! My brain is obviously working as badly as my legs

We did use the old A30 on yesterday's ride.

 

[jay clock]

@Lpoolck glad to hear you are on your way..

Are you doing a blog? If so, let us know

Also can you post up the final versions you worked from, and any comments. Will be really useful as I plan to do this next year

 

[Lpoolck]

Will do @jay clock. I will also write a post at the end of my trip summarising the route/experience that may help you/others.

I am not writing any blogs unfortunately.

 

[jay clock]

[UPDATE: some links below are broken, but read my further posting a few down and you will see I have a solution]

I have found what looks like a superb resource that may meet the needs of some of you

Deloitte Ride Across Britain is a 9 day event and have available all their GPX files and OS map pdfs

I have pasted the links below.

At a quick glance looks ideal for me as I will be running off a Garmin 1000 and my wishlist is

• Avoid murder roads like A30
• Occasional few miles on A road ok
• Avoid off road/canals
• generally be on small country roads

I will be doing at least 14-15 days, not 9!

A friend did RAB a couple of years back and loved the route. Assuming it is approx the same, her comments were

On two stretches I would look for alternatvives or at least brace myself: road leading up to Glasgow was boring on bad road surface and Glencoe, which is just very busy.​

Ride across Britain

http://www.rideacrossbritain.com/2017-hub/


Day 1 https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18430634

http://www.rideacrossbritain.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RAB-Day-1.pdf


Day 2 https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18430640

http://www.rideacrossbritain.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RAB-Day-2.pdf


Day 3 https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18430650

http://www.rideacrossbritain.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RAB-Day-3.pdf


Day 4 https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18430655

http://www.rideacrossbritain.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RAB-Day-4.pdf


Day 5 https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18430685

http://www.rideacrossbritain.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RAB-Day-5.pdf


Day 6 https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18430691

http://www.rideacrossbritain.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RAB-Day-6.pdf


Day 7 https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18431019

http://www.rideacrossbritain.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RAB-Day-7.pdf


Day 8 https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18431023

http://www.rideacrossbritain.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RAB-Day-8.pdf


Day 9 https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18431030

http://www.rideacrossbritain.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RAB-Day-9.pdf

 

[jay clock]

Re my posting above I have just downloaded a couple to my pc then reuploaded into Bike Hike which allows a viewing in OS map form. Seriously impressed with it and if and when I can do LEJOG will be using it. Will probably replot to double check and also to shorten the daily distances! Approx 14-days at a guess

 

[Lpoolck]

Re my posting above I have just downloaded a couple to my pc then reuploaded into Bike Hike which allows a viewing in OS map form. Seriously impressed with it and if and when I can do LEJOG will be using it. Will probably replot to double check and also to shorten the daily distances! Approx 14-days at a guess

Glad you have found something useful. Where will you be stopping each night?

 

[jay clock]

My plan was (if work permits) to go mid May (I am doing a half Ironman on 12th so directly after that) and take about 14-15 days ideally camping as much as possible. Also will try for Warmshowers and possibly a hotel or two. I love camp but aim for pub/restaurant meals

Of course I need to plan the camping a bit better!

 

[raj]

I have pasted the links below.

All the RideWithGPS pages:

Error (404 not found)
The page you are looking for does not exist

 

[jay clock]

UPDATE: The gpx files in the links above are now not working. The pdfs are there as of now

So I have downloaded all the pdfs and have them if the links fail in the future . Also have found the gpx files for 2015 on RWGPS and pretty similar I guess. I also have downloaded these files and have them saved.

This really does look like a good route if you want quiet, but no off road....

 

[jay clock]

OK the people at RAB were updating them. The ones at the rider hub currently work (I have not amended the links above)

Aslo I have downloaded the pdfs and the gpx files to this Dropbox folder https://www.dropbox.com/sh/t6wp4enp1nrmx00/AADsyGN4BXKgyq9mjjJ27JZSa?dl=0 in case the links break again

 

[Ajax Bay]

13 Aug:

I have so far completed three days. The routes have been fantastic until now

Glad it's going well. Presumably you're almost finished now.

I'm lazy so I'd use the Strawberry Line NCR26 (even in the wet, IMO) and Shute Shelve Tunnel to get across the Mendips to Clevedon

Further on on the Day2 route, the Strawberry Trail up to Yatton (along the line of the old railway line and through the tunnel (front light worth having but not 'necessary')) also has a good surface (also ridden several times both ways) suitable for 25s, though can be a bit muddy in the odd place if it has been wet.

The only bad section I have had to deal with was the first 7 miles on today's ride out of cheddar (edited as originally put Okehampton). There is alot of detours on the cycle path due to maintenance/building works and alot of the path isn't suitable for a road bike and barely suitable for a mountain bike. I thought I'd pass this on just in case anyone is passing the area in the imminent future.

I've been reminded by another forum that the Shute Shelve tunnel on the Strawberry Line has been closed recently

We're talking about the same cycle track here. Riders' thresholds of what is OK for a road bike vary considerably.

 

[mjr]

We're talking about the same cycle track here. Riders' thresholds of what is OK for a road bike vary considerably.

Not exactly. I was talking about the Strawberry Line route (as I think you were) while I think @Lpoolck is talking about the diversion route which I've not used. I wouldn't be surprised if the diversion is shoot, plus they've managed to damage some open sections of the route with the works machinery accessing the works, because councils in that area aren't great at cycling IMO.

 

[ryan_w]

This was the route I did / planned: https://www.strava.com/routes/7475241

Had to stop at a few random locations / hospitals en route (the charities we were doing it for).

First 2 days were hard going but quality. My route through the Lakes was immense.

Worst day was the trip from Glasgow to Carlisle. Awful roads, boring, would defo plan a different route for that section if doing it again.

The ride through the Highlands down into Glen Coe was the highlight of the trip, just stunning! Probably the best day in the saddle I've ever had.

Another highlight was the climb out from Fort Augustus along the south bank of Loch Ness. It's just been resurfaced and was smooth as. Bloooooody hard going but worth it!