Blog
During our trip I kept a notebook as a daily diary. I jotted down observations on the route, our diet choices, where we stayed and, of course, anything else that caught my attention especially concerning the group members. Once I returned home I edited the notebook and created the blog entries that appear on this site.
Rather than just a dull relay of facts and events, I have tried to write the blog with a sense of humour so that the reader I hope, will not only find it useful but mildly entertaining as well.
Permanent link to this article: http://79.170.40.239/pewseys.co.uk/blog/
The Day to Day Blog Day 1 – Lands End to Golant YHA near St Austell – 69 miles (Forwards to Day 2) LEJOG DAY 1 – Diary and Top Tips The trip in the car to Lands End on Saturday 26th July 2003 seemed ominous. The wipers on, black skies and plenty of “Cornish Drizzle”. After all our evening …
Day 10 – Kendoon SYH (Glenhoul) to Lochranza SYH – 70 miles NOTE – Kendoon YH has now closed. However thanks to Dave Barker, who has found bunkhouse accommodation here There are also other B&B and tea shops listed in the Kendoon area on my “Feedback & Recommendations” page. (Backwards to Day 9 or Forwards to Day 11) Lochranza Sunset LEJOG DAY 10 – Diary and …
Day 11 – Lochranza SYH to Glencoe SYH – 99 miles (Backwards to Day 10 or Forwards to Day 12) LEJOG DAY 11 – Diary and Top Tips On paper, today was our hardest day. Not only in distance but also in height climbed. We were up and out the youth hostel and down at the ferry terminal ready for the first (08;15) …
Day 12 – Glencoe SYH to Loch Ness SYH – 66 miles (Backwards to Day 11 or Forwards to Day 13) LEJOG DAY 12 – Diary and Top Tips The Great Glen is a magnet for tourists and hence the main A82 through the Glen is a very busy road for traffic. There are really few other alternative routes for bicycles north of Fort …
Day 13 – Loch Ness SYH to Carbisdale SYH – 64 miles (Backwards to Day 12 or Forwards to Day 14) Recommendations An alternative accommodation stop to Carbisdale YHA is in Altnaharra. The Altnaharra Bed and Breakfast has been recommended in 2010 by Twitter users @cyclingbob1 and @cminors. http://www.altnaharra.net/ For somewhere to eat at Bonar Bridge, there is the Crannag Bistro. No recommendations from End to …
Day 14 – Carbisdale SYH to Tongue SYH – 49 miles The Road to Tongue (Backwards to Day 13 or Forwards to Day 15) Recommendations An alternative accommodation stop to Carbisdale YHA is in Altnaharra. The Altnaharra Bed and Breakfast has been recommended in 2010 by Twitter users @cyclingbob1 and @cminors. http://www.altnaharra.net/ For somewhere to eat at Bonar Bridge, there is the Crannag Bistro. No recommendations …
Final Day, Day 15 – Tongue SYH to John O’Groats – 64 miles (Previous Day 14) We stayed at the Caberfeidh Guest House at John O’Groats. There was a Youth Hostel at John O’Groats but it appears this has now closed. LEJOG DAY 15 – Diary and Top Tips It seemed strange that having gone through various pain and psychological …
Day to Day Blog Day 2 – Golant YHA to Exeter – 76 miles (Backwards to Day 1 or Forwards to Day 3) We stayed with family in Exeter. But there is a Youth Hostel. Exeter YHA LEJOG DAY 2 Diary and Top Tips Today we followed Mark’s own devised part of our LEJOG route. This avoided the major …
DAY 3 – Exeter to Yatton – 76 miles We stayed with family in Exeter. But there is a Youth Hostel. Exeter YHA (Backwards to Day 2 or Forwards to Day 4) LEJOG DAY 3 – Diary and Top Tips We were concerned about the availability of food in some of the more remote parts of Scotland, especially as the …
Day 4 – Yatton to Kilpeck (near Hereford) – 69 miles (Backwards to Day 3 or Forwards to Day 5) LEJOG DAY 4 – Diary and Top Tips Things didn’t get off to a good start today, at roadworks in Portishead I hit a pot hole and got a rear puncture ruining the inner tube. I quickly replaced with a …
Day 5 – Kilpeck to Bridges YH – 60 miles (Backwards to Day 4 or Forwards to Day 6) LEJOG DAY 5 – Diary and Top Tips This was our first completely (just!) dry day. Today’s route took us across the Welsh/English border several times and was relatively flat, and therefore easy compared with the first 2 days. Our first challenge was …
Day 6 – Bridges YH to Chester YHA* – 58 miles * Please note Chester YHA is now CLOSED unfortunately. (Backwards to Day 5 or Forwards to Day 7) LEJOG DAY 6 – Diary and Top Tips Started the day with our usual game of “Spoof” to see who would have the honour of wearing the “Yellow Thong”. Short day over fairly flat terrain …
Day 7 – Chester YHA* to Slaidburn YH – 85 miles * Please note Chester YHA is now CLOSED unfortunately. (Backwards to Day 6 or Forwards to Day 8) LEJOG DAY 7 – Diary and Top Tips On paper, today’s route although not very scenic and very busy, seemed to be fairly straight forward. 85 miles and around 5700ft of ascent – easier than …
Day 8 – Slaidburn YH to Carlisle YH – 78 miles (Backwards to Day 7 or Forwards to Day 9) DAY 8 Diary and Top Tips What a difference a day makes! After “bonking” all yesterday afternoon, 10+ hours of sleep helped to get our energy levels back on track. After the rainy start to our LEJOG trip, the weather was definitely on …
Day 9 – Carlisle YH to Kendoon SYH (Glenhoul) – 72 miles NOTE – Kendoon YH has now closed. However thanks to Dave Barker, who has found bunkhouse accommodation here. Also note that Carlisle YH during University term time is student accommodation so check for availability in advance. (Backwards to Day 8 or Forwards to Day 10) DAY 9 Diary and Top Tips Over …
