Author Topic: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013  (Read 9478 times)

Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« on: 02 October, 2012, 04:45:03 pm »
Hi guys,

Land's End to John O'Groats is arguably the ultimate cycle challenge. UK End 2 End delivers the perfect ride, with the ideal sized group of 300 riders, ensuring group camaraderie along with ample space on the roads. It's a fully supported event, attempting 980 miles in just 9 days, raising vital funds for charities of your choice.

You'll experience the very best that British cycling has to offer, from roads perfect for riding, to landscapes overwhelmingly beautiful. Achieve this amid fantastic hospitality and as part of a unique team, all pulling together with one shared ambition.

Our website is www.ukend2end.com so do have a look if you're interested!

Has anyone done anything similar before or debating whether or not to give it a go? Feel free to reply to this with any questions. Be good to see who fancies the challenge!

William - from Action Challenge

Jaded

  • The Codfather
  • Formerly known as Jaded
Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #1 on: 02 October, 2012, 04:58:14 pm »
Crikey, that's a long way!
It is simpler than it looks.

Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #2 on: 02 October, 2012, 05:12:41 pm »
Quote
Crikey, that's a long way!

Yes, have you forgotten the word 'gruelling'?

jogler

  • mojo operandi
Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #3 on: 02 October, 2012, 05:21:27 pm »
My e2e was 994 miles.
ymmv ;)

The passage of time allows the word "gruelling" to be in-appropriate but I took much much longer than 9 days
 

Ray 6701

  • SO @ T
    • Tamworth cycling club
Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #4 on: 02 October, 2012, 05:25:52 pm »
Pah!  That's twice as long as me n Datameister took  ;)

Edit: Unsupported
Overall Stats -
1415km/884miles ridden
18024 metres of climbing
67 hours on the bike (moving average 21.2kmh)
Final elapsed time 4 days, 13 hours and 47 minutes
SR 2010/11/12/13/14/15
RRTY. PBP. LeJoG 1400. LEL.




Wowbagger

  • Former Sylph
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #5 on: 02 October, 2012, 05:29:08 pm »
But then we took something like 20 days.

Ours was unsupported and over 1000 miles, but then we are well 'ard.
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

rower40

  • Not my boat. Now sold.
Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #6 on: 02 October, 2012, 05:54:39 pm »
I did it in eleven days.

Unsupported.  Carrying all my own stuff (*).  On 3 wheels.


(*) I had fewer GPSs then.
Be Naughty; save Santa a trip

John Henry

Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #7 on: 02 October, 2012, 06:01:37 pm »
My first (JOGLE) was 1011 miles and took 11 days. Solo, carrying kit, B&Bing.
My second (LEJOG) was 1016 miles and took 14 days. With 4 others, carrying kit, B&Bing.

Neither was gruelling, but I was lucky with weather.

If I ever do it again, I'll take four weeks minimum.

Wowbagger

  • Former Sylph
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #8 on: 02 October, 2012, 06:29:59 pm »
We didn't have a GPS either. Not then.

I tore a load of pages out of the Philips Navigator road atlas and then chucked them in a bin when we'd finished with them.

I also typed out a lot of route sheets. The only occasion when I felt really lost was in Somerset, when we reached a junction which signposted NCN 3 in all directions. This was not helpful. Fortunately, my guardian angel in the form of a man wearing walking boots and carrying an OS 1:50000 map turned up. We muddled through.

I think we were here: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=308087&Y=120030&A=Y&Z=120
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

Kim

  • Timelord
    • Fediverse
Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #9 on: 02 October, 2012, 06:31:24 pm »
I did it in eleven days.

Unsupported.  Carrying all my own stuff (*).  On 3 wheels.


(*) I had fewer GPSs then.

I now have fewer keyboards.  *wipes nose*

Hummers

  • It is all about the taste.
Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #10 on: 03 October, 2012, 08:34:47 am »
William, you may have posted this in the wrong part of the forum. There is a section dedicated to Cyclosportives and Charity Rides.

I suggest you ask for your event to be moved to there.

Good luck with the event and finding riders.

H

Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #11 on: 03 October, 2012, 08:44:19 am »
i'm not sure if this is a copy of the deloitte ride across britain or if that's a copy of this; either way, it looks great.   This looks very similar - smaller, more indoor accommodation, taking an extra day, and about 30% cheaper...

I did the RAB last year and absolutely loved it and would recommend it (or this, presumably) as a way to do a fully supported, organised LEJOG where all you have to think about is riding your bike!

Sorry William, not tempted to do it again. I want to be self supported, take longer and see more.

jane

  • Mad pie-hating female
Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #12 on: 03 October, 2012, 08:56:39 am »
"UK End 2 End delivers the perfect ride.......    ideal sized group of 300 riders"

I guess it all depends on one's definition of the perfect ride and an ideal sized group.
Over 100 miles a day for nine days on the trot with 300 other people is not mine.  Or have I misunderstood.  But I'm just a cantankerous old cow, and stomped off in a temper on my one attempt at LEJOG.   My companion (boyfriend at the time) didn't want to include an impromptu tour of Cumbria en route to Scotland.  I was 17 and we had all summer to do it- looking at the maps as we headed northwards, I thought it looked like an amazing area- I had never been there before.  I thought it looked easy to include it on the way northwards, but he just wanted to crack on as fast as possible.  Cue a big row and on the road  split up.  I headed to the Lake District, alone,  and spent two weeks there, before heading up to Scotland, myself.  I never completed the JOG bit as I was distracted by climbing and camping in the Mamores, with another group of friends.  And I have never felt any desire since to do that particular E2E, although I have done others.
Good luck, though, I'm sure for those that enjoy this style of riding, it's a great way of doing it.

David Martin

  • Thats Dr Oi You thankyouverymuch
Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #13 on: 03 October, 2012, 09:14:46 am »
9 days is the wrong length of time to do E2E. Either as fast as possible (so 5-6 days) or as slow as possible, ie as long as time/finance allows.
"By creating we think. By living we learn" - Patrick Geddes

LEE

Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #14 on: 03 October, 2012, 09:26:05 am »
9 days is the wrong length of time to do E2E. Either as fast as possible (so 5-6 days) or as slow as possible, ie as long as time/finance allows.

Yes.


I did a solo 9 day LEJoG (I only had 9 days spare) and it was a bit of a rush.  I have no desire to repeat that ride.  However, I met people at JoG who took more relaxed routes, over 14-21 days, who had a different experience.  More time at Cafes, more time to sightsee, MORE TIME IN PUBS !!!

Of course a fully-supported ride frees up more time to socialise.  A lot of my day was wasted looking for B&Bs and map-reading.

If I do it again I think it will be with a tent, over 3 weeks, or at Audax pace with a small saddlebag.

However you do it though it's an adventure.  100 miles a day for 9 days is still a challenge...just not the "Ultimate" one.

vorsprung

  • Opposites Attract
    • Audaxing
Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #15 on: 03 October, 2012, 12:17:46 pm »
The funding for the event is interesting.  Everyone puts down a 300 quid deposit.  Then it depends on the charity you are having as your sponsor

Various levels of payment are suggested, for example if you the rider raise £3,500 in donations then you just pay the deposit.  If you get £1,800 then it's another £700 and if you want "all" the sponsorship to go to the charity then you pay a total of £1,700

Approx £1500 per rider might seem like a lot but that does include some stuff you wouldn't get on a DIY end to end, like mechanics and medical support

No I am not interested  ;D

Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #16 on: 03 October, 2012, 12:32:23 pm »
There is no right length of time for a Lejog, but there are wrong ones depending on your fitness, how hard or easy you want it to be, how long you want the days, how 'scenic' and whether you want time for sight-seeing.

Problem is, you don't necessarily know the answers to these until after the event  ;D

Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #17 on: 05 October, 2012, 01:26:35 pm »
Hi guys,

Land's End to John O'Groats is arguably the ultimate cycle challenge. UK End 2 End delivers the perfect ride, with the ideal sized group of 300 riders, ensuring group camaraderie along with ample space on the roads. It's a fully supported event, attempting 980 miles in just 9 days, raising vital funds for charities of your choice.

Alternatively, there is the LEL which is arguably the ultimate cycle challenge in the UK

Official website: http://www.londonedinburghlondon.com/

YACF chit-chat on the topic: http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=76.0

Organiser of Droitwich Cycling Club audaxes.  https://www.droitwichcyclingclub.co.uk/audax/

Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #18 on: 08 November, 2012, 01:38:06 pm »
Hello everyone,

Thanks for all your replies - and apologies if this is in the wrong area of the forum. We do understand that the challenge may not be to everyone's taste i.e. the length, number of riders etc. But love staging these events, and they grow in popularity each year, whilst raising lots of money for charity.

But any suggestions we welcome! The dates for this event has changed to 31st August - 10 September.

Action Challenge

Charlotte

  • Dissolute libertine
  • Here's to ol' D.H. Lawrence...
    • charlottebarnes.co.uk
Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #19 on: 08 November, 2012, 02:40:50 pm »
9 days is the wrong length of time to do E2E. Either as fast as possible (so 5-6 days) or as slow as possible, ie as long as time/finance allows.

I agree.  Julian, Wascally Weasel, Phil and I have all done it in six days for a charity ride and that was pretty hard core.

My feeling is that LEJOG is about as shite a long distance route as you could manage in the UK.  It starts in shite, ends in shite and goes through about 900 miles of (for the most part) shite.  Edinburgh's nice, though.

The next time I feel like pedalling for a week at a time, I'll pick something a bit prettier  :)
Commercial, Editorial and PR Photographer - www.charlottebarnes.co.uk

Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #20 on: 10 November, 2012, 06:24:27 am »
I'd agree with Charlotte if it was just a solo tour or ride. I've ridden from LE2JOG 3 times as part of an even longer ride. But We're coming from the perspective of people who do a lot of touring and seek out the best places. I too would either do a very touristy route or if I was doing a short route, it'd have to be a thrash ride.
End to End is the old cliche of British long distance cycling. There is still some nice scenery. I quite like the A9 through the Cairngorms.
I'm not sure if you're doing the A38 or Severn Bridge then A49 to get from Bristol to Wigan. The A38 is faster, but I always take the A49 which I think is much nicer and still pretty fast.

Not everyone's cup of tea, but having 300 riders could make for a good cameraderie and would make up for the route. I think I'd enjoy the ride just for that.
I think that people new to touring and long dostance cycling would get a lot from this ride. I'm not sure that many experienced cyclists would. So maybe your target audience is with people who ride sportives and charity rides?

Kim

  • Timelord
    • Fediverse
Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #21 on: 10 November, 2012, 03:55:01 pm »
Surely the best approach to the end-to-end in a touring style is to take a significantly longer route.  East of the Pennines always struck me as the best approach, and not just because of the prevailing weather in the North West (which I seem to have particularly bad luck with).

jogler

  • mojo operandi
Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #22 on: 10 November, 2012, 09:09:20 pm »
Surely the best approach to the end-to-end in a touring style is to take a significantly longer route.  East of the Pennines always struck me as the best approach, and not just because of the prevailing weather in the North West (which I seem to have particularly bad luck with).

I did east-of-Pennines on my JoGLE.It was a thoroughly enjoyable route.

PH

Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #23 on: 13 November, 2012, 12:18:53 pm »
Surely the best approach to the end-to-end in a touring style is to take a significantly longer route.  East of the Pennines always struck me as the best approach, and not just because of the prevailing weather in the North West (which I seem to have particularly bad luck with).

I did east-of-Pennines on my JoGLE.It was a thoroughly enjoyable route.

I went over the Humber Bridge, is that East enough ;D

Martin 14

  • People too weak to follow their own dreams, will a
Re: Land's End to John O'Groats Charity Cycle 2013
« Reply #24 on: 25 December, 2012, 04:54:54 pm »
9 days is the wrong length of time to do E2E. Either as fast as possible (so 5-6 days) or as slow as possible, ie as long as time/finance allows.

Yes.


I did a solo 9 day LEJoG (I only had 9 days spare) and it was a bit of a rush.  I have no desire to repeat that ride.  However, I met people at JoG who took more relaxed routes, over 14-21 days, who had a different experience.  More time at Cafes, more time to sightsee, MORE TIME IN PUBS !!!

Of course a fully-supported ride frees up more time to socialise.  A lot of my day was wasted looking for B&Bs and map-reading.

If I do it again I think it will be with a tent, over 3 weeks, or at Audax pace with a small saddlebag.

However you do it though it's an adventure.  100 miles a day for 9 days is still a challenge...just not the "Ultimate" one.


So what is the Audax time for this ride? :)
People too weak to follow their own dreams, will always find a way to discourage yours