PLANNING
The Idea
The idea for a 5-day ride came from having completed a 6-day LEJoG in 2008 and thinking I could realistically do it faster. In the intervening years I'd taken part in several events where I'd ridden 200 miles or more on consecutive days - notably London-Edinburgh-London (2009 and 2013) and Paris-Brest-Paris (2011) audaxes, as well as cycling from London to Montrose (540 miles) twice in under 56 hours. That being the case, I was reasonably confident in being able to achieve the mileage required for a 5-day LEJoG (around 175 miles per day average), providing the weather wasn't too hostile.
Route
In the last couple of years I'd started thinking about possible routes and stop-over locations, and gradually settled on the final plan - a shortish first day taking account of the Cornish and Devon hills, a substantially longer second day (as this stage was fairly flat), and then dividing the remaining distance in three. That more or less dictated where the stop-overs would be:
Land's End - Bridgwater (162 miles)
Bridgwater - Warrington (202 miles)
Warrington - Moffat (167 miles)
Moffat - Newtonmore (164 miles)
Newtonmore - JoG (163 miles)
I had help on the route from members of the CTC's LEJoG forum, notably Mick Fairhurst, a true veteran and font of all knowledge having completed several end-to-ends. To achieve the speeds required I knew this would mean using mostly main roads, which I am fairly comfortable with. My route varied from my 2008 one in two main respects - I stayed in England rather than crossing the Severn, and from Carlisle to Edinburgh I took the far nicer roads via Moffat instead of staying on the A7. Both these changes were a real improvement.
Now I had the basic plan I could start booking accommodation and the train tickets to Penzance. This is a real motivation - I had committed myself to a date and spent a considerable amount of money - always helps to concentrate the mind!
Below are the tracklogs of my ride, apart from day 3 (when my GPS unit stopped recording at Carlisle for some strange reason) which is a route file.
LEJoG 1 of 5LEJoG 1 of 5
Below are the tracklogs of my ride, apart from day 3 (when my GPS unit stopped recording at Carlisle for some strange reason) which is a route file.
LEJoG 1 of 5LEJoG 1 of 5
LEJoG 2 of 5LEJoG 2 of 5
LEJoG 3 of 5LEJoG 3 of 5
LEJoG 4 of 5LEJoG 4 of 5
LEJoG 5 of 5LEJoG 5 of 5
Time of Year
I decided on a start date as near to the summer solstice as possible to give maximum daylight hours. Also, from bitter experience in previous years, I've concluded that the UK's prevailing south-westerly winds don't really set in until the 1st of June. Many times in May I've fought northerly winds when cycling to Scotland, only to see them abating and turning 180 degrees a couple of weeks later. This isn't scientific, but is backed up by speaking to others, and was even referenced in a weather article I read somewhere!
So a start date of Sunday 8th of June was decided upon.
Travel Arrangements
Then there was the issue of how to get from John o'Groats to Montrose (where I'd be holidaying after the ride). I knew from last time how frustrating it can be trying to book a bike on Scotrail trains south. I also remembered seeing the Orkneys across the water from John o'Groats and thinking how nice they looked, and so close! On exploring the ferry routes I realised I could get a foot ferry to Orkney and then an overnight ferry from Kirkwall to Aberdeen, leaving a short train ride to Montrose. Total cost - £48, and allowing a day to explore Orkney.
Training
I've reached the grand old age of 58 but as yet haven't started to slow down since I started cycling a lot eight years ago - I know this from doing timed laps of Richmond Park. Age is a factor though - I want to achieve my personal goals whilst still relatively able!
I've reached the grand old age of 58 but as yet haven't started to slow down since I started cycling a lot eight years ago - I know this from doing timed laps of Richmond Park. Age is a factor though - I want to achieve my personal goals whilst still relatively able!
Over the winter months I went to the gym two or three times a week, dividing my time between fixed weights (concentrating on quad development), one-hour full-on cycle trainer sessions to the point of exhaustion, and Pilates classes, which I am convinced help with keeping back/neck/general problems at bay during long days in the saddle.
This year I didn't do much actual road cycling - just a couple of middle-distance audaxes and a few solo rides of around 100 miles as fast as I could manage, usually averaging around 16mph.
A month before the start date I spent two weeks cycling in the High Atlas mountain of Morocco, including several climbs of over 2,000 metres. Very good training and highly recommended as a place to cycle!
The Bike
I'm still using the Van Nicholas Yukon I bought in 2007. I've tweaked the set-up over the years and think I've achieved the ideal ride position. The shallow-drop bars have gel inserts and are double wrapped to minimise nerve damage in the hands. The saddle is a Brooks Swallow titanium, only a couple of years old but nicely worn in and (providing I remember to use enough Sudocrem) keeps sores at bay. I also use Specialized Footbeds in my shoes and that has greatly reduced the incidence of the dreaded "hotfoot".
Just before the ride I replaced the bottom bracket, all inner cables, chain and pedals. This resulted in a completely silent drive-train - a thing of joy! I also replaced my usual 23mm tyres with Michelin Pro 4 Endurance 25's. This was to minimise the chance of punctures and to allow a slightly reduced tyre pressure and therefore a more comfortable ride. I was also interested to see how they would perform over that kind of distance. They did remarkably well - not a single puncture and they still look as new. Recommended!
I can't emphasise enough how important it is to have tested the ride position (as well as the saddle, bars and pedals) extensively before attempting consecutive long days. It will make the difference between an enjoyable ride and a thing of great misery - and possibly even doing lasting physical damage to your body. In the past I've suffered damaged nerves in the hands and feet and scarring on my rear end that takes weeks to heal and makes sitting in the saddle after a couple of days extremely uncomfortable.
Finally there is the issue of deciding what you need to take with you on the ride. My gear list has been developed over many long rides and includes a seemingly large number of items, which none the less all comfortably pack into a rear rack-top bag - no need for panniers or bar bag which carry a penalty in weight and wind resistance. For what it's worth here's my list - yours will vary:
Clothing
Lusso gel shorts
Merino long sleeve base layer
Submerino base layer
Merino short sleeve jersey
Short-fingered gloves
Sunglasses
Socks
Cycle shoes w. footbed inserts
Spare clothing
Long-fingered gloves
Long fingered glove liners
Gill eVent waterproof jacket
Berghaus waterproof hat
Merino cap
Spare socks
Sealskin socks
Leg warmers
Merino buff
Hi-viz gilet
Helmet
Night sunglasses
Tools
Garmin Vista HCx
Wired cycle computer
Garmin Vista HCx
Wired cycle computer
Tape
Pump
Allen keys
Spare tubes x 2
Spare gear/brake cable
Spare hex bolts
Small screwdriver
Small pliers
Chain splitter
Cable ties
Puncture patches
Spare spokes
Oil
Rackpack waterproof cover
Brooks saddle cover
IQ Ixon + Smart front lights
Rear light + mudguard light
Spare lithium AA & AAA batteries
Spare computer battery
General
Drink bottles 750cl x 2
Spare drink powder
NUUN tablets
Imodium
Pro Plus
Caffeine gum
Sudocrem
Ibuprofen
Toothpaste + brush
Lip salve
Ear plugs
Eye mask
Plastic bags
Wet wipes
Cable lock
Mobile charger + spare battery
Mobile + h.phones
Debit/credit cards & cash
Daily split mileage chart
List of bike shops along route
List of bike shops along route
THE RIDE
I had decided at an early stage that I would stay on the A30 from Penzance as long as possible, to reduce both the distance and climbing required on the first day. I know from reputation how busy and potentially dangerous this road can be, so to minimise the misery I would set off at 4am on a Sunday when it would be quiet, and on reaching Launceston at 80 miles (by which time the traffic would be getting busy and unpleasant) I could turn off and take quieter roads to link up with the A38.
I took the precaution of wearing a very hi-viz gilet I'd ordered from a seller on ebay with the text "Land's End to John o'Groats in 5 Days" printed on the back - not bad for under £5! I also kept my 1-watt flashing rear light on at all times when on busy roads - even on a bright day these can be seen by motorists several hundred yards away. I even succumbed to pressure from relatives and wore a helmet - a practice I usually shun! All these precautions worked well and I had very few problems with close overtaking vehicles over the 5 days.
The first two days went as planned. Day one saw the worst of the hills behind me and the long day two (just over 200 miles) really made inroads to the overall mileage. I knew that with these two days under my belt then it should be relatively easy from then on - and so it proved. I always think it's a good idea to front-weight long rides so you can tackle the hard stages when you are fresh and full of enthusiasm! It also instills a sense of achievement which is psychologically important.
The final three days settled into a predictable pattern with distances comfortably covered and destinations reached by early evening. I had some pleasant encounters along the way. Thanks to my inscribed gilet, many people gave me encouragement, including an Edinburgh bus driver who opened his sliding door at traffic lights on Princess St to wish me well, and an old lady who flagged me down of the hard shoulder of a dual carriageway and offered money for my charity (I had to explain there wasn't one, but thanked her anyway!). There were many warm hand-shakes from other cyclists and I generally felt as though I had the good will of people interested in cycling wherever we met.
The weather was kind to me almost throughout. I had fairly strong tailwinds on three days and the rest of the time it was either from the side or very light. There was only one 20-mile section going almost due west from Pitlochry on the A9 with a strong headwind and that was tough, as this is also a gradual climb and is very exposed. But that was the worst of the wind problems, for which I was extremely thankful.
Temperatures were warm for the time of year, rarely dropping below 12c even at night. The only issue I had was with the constant rain showers, of which there were several every day. Each one meant stopping to put on rain clothes, only to have to stop 20 minutes later to take them off again. The showers were heavy enough to warrant wet-weather gear and I know from experience if I keep waterproofs on for too long when the sun comes out again then I rapidly overheat if pushing hard (even resulting in a mild case of hyperthermia on one occasion in the past - not recommended!)
The weather was kind to me almost throughout. I had fairly strong tailwinds on three days and the rest of the time it was either from the side or very light. There was only one 20-mile section going almost due west from Pitlochry on the A9 with a strong headwind and that was tough, as this is also a gradual climb and is very exposed. But that was the worst of the wind problems, for which I was extremely thankful.
Temperatures were warm for the time of year, rarely dropping below 12c even at night. The only issue I had was with the constant rain showers, of which there were several every day. Each one meant stopping to put on rain clothes, only to have to stop 20 minutes later to take them off again. The showers were heavy enough to warrant wet-weather gear and I know from experience if I keep waterproofs on for too long when the sun comes out again then I rapidly overheat if pushing hard (even resulting in a mild case of hyperthermia on one occasion in the past - not recommended!)
DAILY ROUTINE
Each day I set the alarm for 3.30am, and after eating the food I'd bought the night before and getting prepared, I'd be ready to set off around 4.15, by which time it was already getting light outside. I only used my front lights for a few minutes each morning (and never in the evening). Again, I find early starts really useful psychologically - by 8am when you see people going to work you've already cycled 50 miles and taken a big chunk out of the day's target distance. You can also enjoy the roads when they are at their quietest.
I also packed some food each morning so I wouldn't need to go to shops until the afternoon. My first stop each day was at the 80-mile mark - I'd eat whatever was in my bag which only took a few minutes. Depending on the total day's target my next stop would be at around 115-130 miles, when I'd need to buy food and drink from a shop (or maybe a cafe). Then one final stop 20 miles or so from my destination when I'd buy stuff for that night's supper and the next day's breakfast, together with some "emergency" snacks.
So a total of 3 shortish stops per day (not including stopping to change clothing, fiddle with GPS, mobile, etc). This really helps to keep you progressing - it's amazing how much time can be wasted on a ride by messing about without realising it! Also short breaks keep you muscles warm and working properly.
By following this daily routine I'd reach my destination at between 5pm and 7pm, allowing plenty of time to wash, eat, send texts and even watch a bit of TV. I find I can't get to sleep before 9pm so don't even try. In reality I got about 5-6 hours sleep per night, aided by an eye-mask and ear plugs.
During the day I'd go through phases of the "dozies" and find myself losing concentration and slowing down. That's when the caffeine gum comes in very useful - as I don't drink caffeine normally these things have a drastic effect on me and I'm fully alert within minutes of starting to chew!
Another motivation for me is listening to music on headphones. I know this is controversial but I've been doing it for many years and feel entirely safe providing I keep my line on the road and do plenty of shoulder checks when needed. The way I see it, if you're going to be wiped out by a truck from the rear then being able to hear every HGV approaching isn't going to make the slightest difference. I wouldn't attempt to justify it as a practice for everyone, but it keeps me entertained for hours on end and the miles fly by. I know I'd get very bored riding the same road for 100 miles on my own otherwise. In fact one of the main aspects of my preparation for long rides is making up playlists of songs I know I'll want to listen to!
Another "trick" I utilise is to never look at the time when riding. I'm always aware of my mileage and will have a list of the distance between towns or waypoints along the route, so can judge roughly when I will reach the next target. That way I can break the day down into chunks of 20-30 miles and never think "Wow - another 140 miles to go". It's never more than 20 miles or so until the next destination! But I don't find knowing the time useful - in fact I enjoy being in a sort of timeless zone and almost being in a world of my own. Usually when I approach my destination and check the time it comes as a pleasant surprise, and I always have hours to spare (thanks to the early starts).
POSTSCRIPT
I arrived at John o'Groats at 6pm on Thursday 12th June feeling remarkably well - both body and bike were completely problem free and I actually felt as though I could carry on for several more days (although I was very glad at being able to have a lie-in the next morning!).
I took the foot-ferry over to Orkney at 9am on Friday morning and spent the day cycling round the mainland, visiting Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar. It was an overcast day but made for a pleasant day's wind-down ride, and I ate very good fish and chips in Kirkwall - twice! The overnight ferry to Aberdeen was fine and from there you can get main-line trains anywhere in the country (some routes require booking your bike in advance so be sure to check this).
CONCLUSION
So that's that! Six years in conception and six months of planning and hard training and I'm pleased to say everything went as expected. I was undoubtedly lucky with the weather - I knew from the outset that if I had strong winds against me every day then I wouldn't make my targets and would have to abandon the ride. I was mentally prepared for that eventuality but extremely glad it didn't happen!
So I can stop thinking about how fast I can do a LEJoG! I reckon five days is realistically the shortest unsupported time for an amateur. Four days or less would be do-able with a support team and riding in a group with drafting, but that's an entirely different thing. Personally I really like the self-reliance of unsupported rides and escaping into your own zone for a few days.
To anyone considering trying this - feel free to ask any questions and I'll help if I can. And good luck!
