cycling john o'groats to lands end

[almostnormal]

quick one this, does anyone know if there's a best route for cycling john o'groats to lands end. my dad and brother are doing this next year and we've been busy googling it, but there are lots of different routes, most of which go the other way round. my dad's determined to start in scotland because apparently its more downhill (groan)

seriously though, any help would be appreciated, as i'm doing the support vehicle for them...they're taking it very seriously....

[nightshade]

There must be qualifying routes used by charities or record attempts
AA or RAC?

[Tinkerbell]

If they are starting in John O'Groats I believe you can even buy an upside down map now, which should make it easier too!!

Tinkerbell

[almostnormal]

Originally Posted by Tinkerbell

If they are starting in John O'Groats I believe you can even buy an upside down map now, which should make it easier too!!

Tinkerbell

hee hee. i'll let my dad know! i think i'm just going to stick with my ordinary road atlas while i'm driving it and seeing the pretty scenery!

[John]

A map of a route from John O'Groats
Justgiving - John O'groats to Lands End Bike Ride

And another (click on the route line for the route section by section)
John O'Groats to Lands End 2004 - Graham & Ben Brodie

Here is a trip report doing it in reverse.
Trip Report: Cycling Lands End to John O'Groats

And another.
Land's End to John O'Groats Cycle Tour Summer 2006

And another
Lands End to John O'Groats by Cycle Route Data
Lands End to John O'Groats by Cycle Home Page

And another
Land's End to John O'Groats

That will do to be going on with.

John

[almostnormal]

aha....thanks. still no closer to deciding which is the best route, although this last link....plenty of nice young bar maids, but where are the gorgeous men for me to ogle?!?

[Blackdog]

Whichever route you decide on, it has to be from John 'o' Groats. Starting from Land's End means going uphill all the way...

[brainfarmer]

id deff go john o groats lands end rather than the other way round. on the map it looks down hill.

[almostnormal]

yes...lots of down hill works for me. the other plus is that it'll get warmer as i get further south!

[Ian Gray]

I think the big decision on what route comes down in the southwest.
Do you go for the "heads down, lets get some miles done" A road
or the "Oh no not another hill" scenic coastal road

[brainfarmer]

Originally Posted by almostnormal

yes...lots of down hill works for me. the other plus is that it'll get warmer as i get further south!

seriously finding a good cycle route is essential im sure there must be a good website out there that will give a good if not the shortest route. i will have a look myself and im sure others will.

[brainfarmer]

The Ultimate Links List of Land's End to John o'Groats Cycle Trips

[brainfarmer]

just reverse the directions lol.

[almostnormal]

Originally Posted by brainfarmer

The Ultimate Links List of Land's End to John o'Groats Cycle Trips

yes...i found this site. there's lots to choose from. still a whole year and a bit to plan it. the men in my family need to get a wee bit fitter before they cycle 800 odd miles!

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by almostnormal

yes...i found this site. there's lots to choose from. still a whole year and a bit to plan it. the men in my family need to get a wee bit fitter before they cycle 800 odd miles!

Most important bit of kit for this ride is the saddle. They should both buy a Brooks (B17 or Professional) and start breaking it in now. Do this ride on a cheap seat and you will end up regretting it.

[almostnormal]

Originally Posted by Boddie

Most important bit of kit for this ride is the saddle. They should both buy a Brooks (B17 or Professional) and start breaking it in now. Do this ride on a cheap seat and you will end up regretting it.

what classifies as cheap? they'll both be on trek bikes with bontager saddles and slick tyres for the road (unless they decide to do it off road)? will those do? of will they get sore bums on those?

[Gwenhwyfar]

Don’t think of the journey as ‘how many miles’ they have to cover - but think more of ‘how many hours’ sat in the saddle. As Andrew says the saddle will play a big part, it would be very disappointing if you have to abort half way round because someone is in too much pain to carry on.
Lots of people don’t realize that many hours sat in the saddles can lead to so much discomfort, if you don’t prepare well - be prepared to be rubbed raw and if you are really lucky you might end up with skin ulcerations!!
I apologize for my next explanation but I couldn’t think of anything else!! Some guys also suffer badly from numb nuts! (for some this can lead to serious problems)
For me a saddle is a very personal choice, a certain brand may be great for one person but could be a nightmare for another. You also have the cut out saddles, I know a lot of cyclist who get numb nuts (aren’t I a lucky girl!) and rate these very highly, but I also know a lot who have chucked them in the bin, so again it is all down to personal choice.
Decent shorts are also a must – but guessing that they already have the bikes and wanting to do such a journey, they already have this sort of kit.

All the more comfort and fun if they are fit, so I hope they train well, get some miles in the those legs.

[Boddie]

A Brooks saddle is the only saddle that will contour to the shape of you rear end.

As they are made of leather the leather becomes more supple and the saddle takes up the shape giving support with no pressure peaks, as the saddle moulds itself to suit the rider. Look at how many old boys and big tourers ride Brooks. Have a look at the guys that are putting in miles every weekend on bikes costing 1000's and ask them what their favourite piece of kit is - Brooks riders will mostly say their saddle.

I have ridden just about every saddle available and my winter set up, as shown, sees me on a Fizik Aliante Carbon (£149). I like this saddle in the winter but for long rides my Brooks beats it hands down.

I also ride Fizik's Arione (£99) on a racing set up and the Gobi (£79) on my full suspension.

[Gwenhwyfar]

Hi 'A'

In my experience when I was mountain biking, everybody was interested in each others suspention first, then what tyres you had second.

When I went over to road racing, it was what wheels you had on that seemed to get most attention.
The only time saddles were ever mentioned was when you were doing long distances.
The guys who used to ride the brookes saddles used to also be the same guys still wearing the old woollen jerseys!!!!!!! (sorry couldn't resit)

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by Gwenhwyfar

Hi 'A'

In my experience when I was mountain biking, everybody was interested in each others suspention first, then what tyres you had second.

When I went over to road racing, it was what wheels you had on that seemed to get most attention.
The only time saddles were ever mentioned was when you were doing long distances.
The guys who used to ride the brookes saddles used to also be the same guys still wearing the old woollen jerseys!!!!!!! (sorry couldn't resit)

Exactly, and they are the same old boys who know best. They have probably tried all of the 'fads' and always gone back to the best

[carlos_dfc]

I did it the reverse way with a mate (in the way-back, when I was in my 20s).
Spread it out over 2 weeks - sorry can't remember the exact route now, but definitely best to Start in Scotland and get the heavy hillclimbing over with in the first week, when you are freshest.

We worked it so we got a 2 night stop-over in Morecambe, on the middle weekend - and that 2 day break really did help - A LOT

I'll also add that when I was riding, I swore by my old Brookes leather saddle.
When a leather saddle is new - go out in the wet for an hour or so, with no rear mudguard - get the leather nice and wet, so it 'moulds' to your shape.
Unpleasant at the time, but worth it in the long run.
On a trip like this, a comfortable saddle is an absolute MUST HAVE.