What's it all about?

At the end of September 2012 I completed a cycle from Portsmouth 2 Penzance a total of 273 miles! raising money for Children In Need is the Plan. This was also be a personal challenge for me as I haven't been cycling in over 25 years and that was only for fun nothing serious. On top of that have a prolapsed disc, was 46 years old and at the start of 2012 a bit over weight, well lot over weight really, since then I've lost nearly 3 stone! So I opted to do the big one, John O'Groats 2 Lands End on May 6th 2013. The End 2 End or P2P (point to point, as it's sometimes called ) around 1000 miles! This time I had company, Colin, a friend from work, who has said he is as mad as I am and would like to come! This blog contains that story....This event is in memory of the sad passing of my mum on 17th of April this year having lost her fight with terminal Bowel Cancer.

I guess you'd call it the sequel, I have decided it would be just rude not to go back the other way!!! so May 2015, with a new friend, Pete and with Dave driving a support vehicle ( luxury) we plan the classic Lands End to John O'Groats, also known as LEJOG
. Mad ? yes I think we must be.


Me, Colin, Pete and Dave ( Team Jogle4bc )

Me, Colin, Pete and Dave ( Team Jogle4bc )

Second and Third B&B confirmed

Things moving forward in the bookings. Have now confirmed stay in Bora and Carlisle

First Booking confirmed

At least we have a spot confirmed for the first night. The Northern Sands Hotel
The important things for us in the consideration of the first B&B were:

1. Can they take our "bikes in a box" which we will post up a few days before we arrive?
2. Are they close to Dunnet Head? As we are now taking in the farthest North and South in our trip?
3. Are they in our budget?
4. Will they take two old blokes who have no idea what they've let themselves in for !

Well the answer to all was yes,  they have kindly given us a nice discount, will happily take in and store the bikes before we arrive and as for the blokes with no idea ... well i didn't tell them !

Map of where the hotel and key spots are

Imagine my horror!

When I find out, "John O' Groats is the traditionally acknowledged extreme Northern point of Scotland. The actual northernmost point is at nearby Dunnet Head, about 2 miles (3.2 km) from John O' Groats"

I think if you're going that far then Dunnet Head is going to have to be the start point and then onto John O'Groats... isn't it?

I think a slight route change is in order..... "Colin...... I have a cunning plan..."

OK Three options here.


1. Stick with original plan a total of approx 912 miles on the route we set up

2. Start at Dunnet Head  go to John O'Groats plus Duncansby Head ( the furthest point North East from Lands End, only 2 miles on from JOG )  and THEN continue as planned. This would mean a stop at Bora first evening instead of Dornoch. Approx 928 miles
3. As per option 2 but if we do Northerly most point we may as well do Southerly most point  (The Lizard) and then onto Lands End. Adjustments as per option 2 and then instead of last stop being Redruth and a 30 mile last bit to Lands End , it would be last stop at Mawnan Smith (Tina's house, if she'll have us. x) Then a 50 mile last bit to Lands End via The Lizard. Approx 954 miles.

For the sake of an extra 40 miles surely we've got to do option 3 haven't we? then we can say we've done JOGLE AND the furthest North and furthest South points of the UK ( mainland )



It's not going to be a very big plane !



Flight Booked, no turning back now!!

Managed to get a flight for Colin and myself from Southampton right to Wick with a change at Edinburgh ! very happy with that.
Mon 06 May 2013BE761Southampton to Edinburgh07:0008:30

 
Mon 06 May 2013BE6895Edinburgh to Wick- John O Groats11:0512:05

Now Just need to start on the B&B's and who's best to post the bikes up with?

The possible routes for JOGLE

Garmin Connect - John O'Groats to Dornoch Jogle 1

Garmin Connect - Dornoch 2 Fort Augustus jogle2

Garmin Connect - Fort Augustus Crianlarich 2 jogle3

Garmin Connect - Crianlarich 2 Irvine jogle4

Garmin Connect - Irvine 2 Carlisle jogle5

Garmin Connect - Carlisle 2 Blackburn jogle6

Garmin Connect - Blackburn 2 Nantwich jogle7

Garmin Connect - Natwich 2 Tewkesbury jogle 8

Garmin Connect - Tewkesbury 2 Weston-SuperMare jogle9

Garmin Connect - Weston-SuperMare 2 Hatherleigh joggle10

Garmin Connect - Hatherleigh 2 Redruth jogle11

Garmin Connect - Redruth to Lands End jogle12


There are several reasons for this as being our possible route. First off my sister lives in Irvine so need to call there. Next stop is Blackburn ( Colin's mum) then Natwich, I have family there and last off friends at Redruth. Leaving the nice little little 30 miles of the final day ( which I hope to make a saturday morning will be to allow family and friends to be there at the finish.
Any comments on the route are welcome

Black dot on the Black line



Ok, for those who asked , this is how I got all the way from my house in Portsmouth to Lands End, as I said in the blog, I was following a little black dot on a black line....... amazing I got there really!

Equipment review

Equipment review:
Lets start with the bike 2012 Giant Defy 1. I have to say I'm very happy with it, it's light but strong has been faultless only requiring me to clean and oil the chain. I can get quite quick on the flats hand has been strong enough to take me and the two rear panniers. I think this was also helped greatly by the expert help and advice from DCR Wheels who built me a set of wheels more suited to touring, yet nearly as light as the wheels on the bike. The roads where quick potted in places on the very minor roads used on part of the trip down to Lands End and the wheels are still faultless! Well happy with those. The tyres were also a brilliant bit of kit, Michelin Pro 4 Endurance. These I've had for several months and are slicks. Although not really wet weather on the trip , I have ridden them in the wet and they have been very well behaved. On this trip 273 miles without a puncture and very happy with that. They roll very well and give me the speed I wanted over a heavier more puncture resistant option. Still no punctures, fingers crossed. The tool kit and saddle bag I got from the good people at Lynzee proved to be… well unused! But piece of mind in the knowledge I had tested it and was all I would have needed for anything I would be willing to tackle at the roadside. The FS260-Pro Bibshorts II, Baa Baa long sleeve tops I got from Endura proved to be very comfortable and warm. It was easy to wash and dry overnight so they will be coming on the End to End for certain.