LEJOG: 1000 Miles of Pedaling,
5000 Years of History
Embarking on a cycling odyssey from Land’s End to John O’ Groats, we embarked on a journey through the heart of the United Kingdom, weaving through captivating landscapes and embracing the diverse tapestry of its history and culture. Our adventure began in Cornwall, where we savored the quintessential British experience of enjoying fish and chips by the seaside, against the backdrop of rugged cliffs and crashing waves. As we pedaled northward, we explored the remnants of old abandoned tin mines, silent witnesses to Cornwall’s industrial past. Venturing inland, medieval towns like Chester greeted us with their charming cobbled streets and timbered houses, offering a glimpse into centuries of history. Quaint villages dotted the countryside, each with its own story to tell, as we meandered through idyllic landscapes and rolling hills. Riding ever upwards, we ascended into the majestic highlands, where the towering peaks and sweeping vistas of Glen Coe took our breath away. As we reached our final destination at John O’ Groats, we looked back on the memories forged along the way, each mile a testament to the spirit of adventure and discovery that had fueled our epic cycling expedition across the length of the UK. And amidst it all, the ancient wonders of Skara Brae on the Orkney Islands stood as a testament to the enduring legacy of human ingenuity and resilience, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts and minds.
Before We Go
- Researched popular routes, cycle forums and blogs
- Scouted out lodging possibilities (and scarcity).
- Assembled kit including newly acquired wet weather gear for the rainy days
- Tested out equipment and gadgets
- Incorporated travel guide suggestions into probable route.
- Most Difficult Part – getting bikes to starting point
- Airline cancellations and delays
Air Travel & Touring Bikes
We’ve used plastic bags in the past, and have rented bikes, but currently we like to use bike boxes and packing material. This requires a little bit of dismantling of bikes, but it’s fairly quick and provides solid protection for our bikes. We fly with airlines that consider a bike your first checked luggage and have designed a
Getting Bikes to Lands End
Penzance to Land's End to Camborne
Penzance to Land's End to Camborne
Camborne to Bodmin
A fairly leisurely start to what turned out to quite the workout, with almost 4000 feet of climbing. A large portion of our day was spent off-road, in trails that were more designed for mountain biking, and definitely not something you’d want to do with panniers…
Bodmin to Lewdown
Lewdown to Okehampton
Okehampton to Oake
Oake to Wells to Clevedon
Clevedon to Monmouth
Monmouth to Mortimer Trails
Mortimer Trails to Shrewbury
Shrewsbury to Chester
Chester to North Preston
North Preston to Kendal
Kendal to Carlisle
Carlisle to Moffat
Moffat to Strathaven
The weather is perfect. Bright blue skies and about 75 degrees. We rode on a bike path that runs parallel to the main road through rolling hills making great time. We met two older gentleman who were out riding their e-bikes, They said they felt like they were 14 year old boys again and were having the time of their lives…
Strathaven to Arrochar
Arrochar to Tyndrum
Tyndrum to Fort William
Best Day Ever!
Today we rode through Glen Coe with spectacular scenery around every corner. We had a gentle climbs up and nice rides down. The day began clear and sunny but around noon it suddenly became overcast and started raining. We put on all of our rain gear as the rain was really pouring. We turned off of the main road and there was a pub open for lunch. So we parked our bikes outside and took off all of our rain gear to have delicious lunch …
Glenfinnan Viaduct
We woke to a superb breakfast at the BnB of portage w/whiskey and honey and scrambled eggs with smoked salmon. The we rode the bikes down to the train station to see the Jacobite aka the Hogwarts Express. …
Fort William to Loch Ness, Drumnadrochit
The Great Glen way. Hard to find, kept getting tossed out on the A82. Not a good road to be on. Was on it for like 10 miles or more. Then another 15. But the part of the cycle path we were on was enjoyable. Moss, ferns, lichen, everywhere. Tons of water, alongside lochs, nice…