Lands end to John o Groats - What bike?
Discussion
Afternoon all!
After a drunken pub conversation a few weeks ago, myself and some mates decided it would be a good idea to cycle from lands end to john o groats (actually doing it the other way round). Surprisingly, once sober we all seemed to think this was a good idea and so have decided to do a charity run next july.
My question to you all, having not done any kind of endurance cycling before, is what type of bike do you think would be best for such a journey? Work are running their cycle to work scheme in Jan so will be a shiny new bike for the job complete with peripherals; probably be looking around the £500 mark.
Also, any advice, tips etc for the journey would be greatly appreciated!
Dan
After a drunken pub conversation a few weeks ago, myself and some mates decided it would be a good idea to cycle from lands end to john o groats (actually doing it the other way round). Surprisingly, once sober we all seemed to think this was a good idea and so have decided to do a charity run next july.
My question to you all, having not done any kind of endurance cycling before, is what type of bike do you think would be best for such a journey? Work are running their cycle to work scheme in Jan so will be a shiny new bike for the job complete with peripherals; probably be looking around the £500 mark.
Also, any advice, tips etc for the journey would be greatly appreciated!
Dan
You'll get some really good recommendations on bikes etc so I'll leave that to the experts on here.
However, it's ultimately about the legs and mind that pushes them. It's about getting your (very sore) ass out of bed in the morning and pushing on through crap weather etc.
My Mother-in-Law and Father-in-Law did it for their 50th birthday. The both did it on the s
ttest bikes you've ever seen that were older than me. They used a Wetherspoons pub map for directions. They had one puncture between them.
It's a brillaint thing to do and great that you're doing it for charity. Good luck to you and if you have any specific route questions (although I'm sure google will help a lot) then i can ask them.
We're all going on their 60th... god help us all (but me specifically).
ETA - once you've picked a charity, set up an online sponsorship page via www.justgiving.com
However, it's ultimately about the legs and mind that pushes them. It's about getting your (very sore) ass out of bed in the morning and pushing on through crap weather etc.
My Mother-in-Law and Father-in-Law did it for their 50th birthday. The both did it on the s
ttest bikes you've ever seen that were older than me. They used a Wetherspoons pub map for directions. They had one puncture between them.It's a brillaint thing to do and great that you're doing it for charity. Good luck to you and if you have any specific route questions (although I'm sure google will help a lot) then i can ask them.
We're all going on their 60th... god help us all (but me specifically).
ETA - once you've picked a charity, set up an online sponsorship page via www.justgiving.com
Edited by hondafanatic on Wednesday 30th September 13:29
Specialized Sirrus or Sirrus Sport?
http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp...
The sport falls within your budget, bought one myself this week and whilst researching it read about quite a few people who had used them for long distance touring.
Quite light, comfy riding position thanks to the flat bars and mounting points for front and rear panniers.
http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp...
The sport falls within your budget, bought one myself this week and whilst researching it read about quite a few people who had used them for long distance touring.
Quite light, comfy riding position thanks to the flat bars and mounting points for front and rear panniers.
I recommend a Giant Defy.
Just got one myself. Giant are a HUGE manufacturer and produce gazillions of bikes. With the economies of scale they enjoy you tend to get a better specced bike for the same money as a Specialized.
I've got a Defy 2. Lovely bike. Stiff, fast, and a little more comfortable than the Specialized Allez I test rode at the same time - at least for my body anyway.
It was Bike of the Year 2009 in Cycling Magazine as well....
Just got one myself. Giant are a HUGE manufacturer and produce gazillions of bikes. With the economies of scale they enjoy you tend to get a better specced bike for the same money as a Specialized.
I've got a Defy 2. Lovely bike. Stiff, fast, and a little more comfortable than the Specialized Allez I test rode at the same time - at least for my body anyway.
It was Bike of the Year 2009 in Cycling Magazine as well....
Just realised that our cycle scheme is through Halfords so am unfortunately limited to Boardman's or Carrera's. That said, looks like there's some quite nice ones on there.
Thanks for the early advice. Will set up an account on justgiving as soon as we finalise details, encouraging that your parents did it on a whim at 50 though!
I do have to say I am most concerned about my deriére! I intend on being padded to the max!
Thanks for the early advice. Will set up an account on justgiving as soon as we finalise details, encouraging that your parents did it on a whim at 50 though!
I do have to say I am most concerned about my deriére! I intend on being padded to the max!
Unfortunately not that far north but may ask about the chainreaction option. Am definately fixed with the halfords scheme though (work for big company)
I think for me it's firstly deciding the type of bike, whether to go for a full road bike or the hybrid-tourer type. I guess this would be down to personal preference for seating position so may see if I can try one of each.
This one didn't look too bad http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Edit: I'm certainly not attempting any records! Slow and steady wins the race...hoping it should take about 9-10 days
I think for me it's firstly deciding the type of bike, whether to go for a full road bike or the hybrid-tourer type. I guess this would be down to personal preference for seating position so may see if I can try one of each.
This one didn't look too bad http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Edit: I'm certainly not attempting any records! Slow and steady wins the race...hoping it should take about 9-10 days
Edited by One8Two on Wednesday 30th September 15:39
I know a little about this having done it last year in 9 days
Firstly - about Halfords, they can order pretty much any bike you like. My housemate ordered a spesh last year through them.
Secondly - type of bike. Most people do it on road bikes, quickest and easiest if not the most comfy. You may want to test ride a few types of bike to see if you can handle being on a proper roadie. That said, the boardman range are excellent value and are getting rave reviews so you wont go wrong with one of them. Same goes for any of the big manufacturers, specialized, giant, scott etc.
As for the ride - PLan your route carefully to avoid main highways/dual carriageways. there are some very upleasant roads on the route.
I'd also strongly recommend you do it Lands end to JOG way, as the prevailing winds tend to blow north so you get a tailwind, plus Cornwall is very, very hilly and was one of our toughest days so I wouldnt personally want to have that as my last day.
Train hard, and put the miles in. I did 2000 miles of training in the 3 months leading up to the ride and I benefitted from it massively. Depending on how long you're going to take, do at least 2 days of your est max mileage before you go, just to get used to the distance.
Me and my friends rode unsupported, carrying all our luggage so booked all our stops in advance, this was great for giving you a target to aim for but some days were loooong! 127 miles from carlisle to north glasgow was our longest.
If you want any more advice on kit, bikes or route, either pm me or have a look at our site www.letsfightcancer.co.uk I think we raised about £6500 in the end, and it was a great journey.
Good luck!
Firstly - about Halfords, they can order pretty much any bike you like. My housemate ordered a spesh last year through them.
Secondly - type of bike. Most people do it on road bikes, quickest and easiest if not the most comfy. You may want to test ride a few types of bike to see if you can handle being on a proper roadie. That said, the boardman range are excellent value and are getting rave reviews so you wont go wrong with one of them. Same goes for any of the big manufacturers, specialized, giant, scott etc.
As for the ride - PLan your route carefully to avoid main highways/dual carriageways. there are some very upleasant roads on the route.
I'd also strongly recommend you do it Lands end to JOG way, as the prevailing winds tend to blow north so you get a tailwind, plus Cornwall is very, very hilly and was one of our toughest days so I wouldnt personally want to have that as my last day.
Train hard, and put the miles in. I did 2000 miles of training in the 3 months leading up to the ride and I benefitted from it massively. Depending on how long you're going to take, do at least 2 days of your est max mileage before you go, just to get used to the distance.
Me and my friends rode unsupported, carrying all our luggage so booked all our stops in advance, this was great for giving you a target to aim for but some days were loooong! 127 miles from carlisle to north glasgow was our longest.
If you want any more advice on kit, bikes or route, either pm me or have a look at our site www.letsfightcancer.co.uk I think we raised about £6500 in the end, and it was a great journey.
Good luck!
Edited by AbarthChris on Wednesday 30th September 15:54
different bike schemes/cycle 2 work operations have different rules, you MAY be able to order something different but then again you MAY only be limited to carrera and boardman as you say, do some digging and find out what the situation is. it might be that you have been mis-informed.
£500 doesnt give you much so you are best looking for soething solid rather than with something shiny that reduces the overall spec eg carbon fork.
halfords: the top end Carreras and bottom end Boardmans are good solid bikes, get the right size and spec it for comfort with a big squishy saddle and some comfy bar tape. adjust the bars so you are in a good upright position and you should be ok.
others: look for the btwin, the raleigh airlite 300 and whatever orbea have for £500. they all tend to be overlooked in favour of the bigger brands like spesh and giant but they are good bikes and more than capable.
now, i know people say htat the big brands get economies of scale and you should get better vale for momney but this rarely works out to be the case as people are prepared to pay a premium for the name and thus the big brands will keep whatever savings they can and charge you more for the name. people want a spesh becuase cancellara rides one, a trek cos thats what lance has etc etc etc
think seriously about clothes, get stuff that is high wicking and designed, ie the right cut, for cycling rather than generic base layers for example. use chamois cream each night on your shorts, treat your meat and veg with vaseline or some other suitable lotion each night, plan daily mileage realistically, there is no point being ambitious and maxing out 100 miles a day if it kills you. also, if you plan to use energy gels and the like, train with them so your body doesnt suddenly rreact to them the day you leave JOG...take into account weather and traffic on the roads etc too, many people forget to do this and wonder why they are slower than they predicted in the scotland/cornwall areas in summer!....
enjoy it! and keep us posted.
£500 doesnt give you much so you are best looking for soething solid rather than with something shiny that reduces the overall spec eg carbon fork.
halfords: the top end Carreras and bottom end Boardmans are good solid bikes, get the right size and spec it for comfort with a big squishy saddle and some comfy bar tape. adjust the bars so you are in a good upright position and you should be ok.
others: look for the btwin, the raleigh airlite 300 and whatever orbea have for £500. they all tend to be overlooked in favour of the bigger brands like spesh and giant but they are good bikes and more than capable.
now, i know people say htat the big brands get economies of scale and you should get better vale for momney but this rarely works out to be the case as people are prepared to pay a premium for the name and thus the big brands will keep whatever savings they can and charge you more for the name. people want a spesh becuase cancellara rides one, a trek cos thats what lance has etc etc etc
think seriously about clothes, get stuff that is high wicking and designed, ie the right cut, for cycling rather than generic base layers for example. use chamois cream each night on your shorts, treat your meat and veg with vaseline or some other suitable lotion each night, plan daily mileage realistically, there is no point being ambitious and maxing out 100 miles a day if it kills you. also, if you plan to use energy gels and the like, train with them so your body doesnt suddenly rreact to them the day you leave JOG...take into account weather and traffic on the roads etc too, many people forget to do this and wonder why they are slower than they predicted in the scotland/cornwall areas in summer!....
enjoy it! and keep us posted.
http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewforum.php?f=22&sid...
is a great source of information.
Type of bike will depend on whether you are camping or B&Bing and also whether you are supported or not. If B&Bing then you can travel relatively light. If camping, then you'll need a bike that can take a rear rack and 25kgs or so.
Do it LE > JOG to take advantage of the winds.
Don't take the A30 out of LE - its horrible.
Don't plan too many daily miles for the first 3 days (which should get you as far as Okehampton or Taunton).
Save the big days for the Midlands and North West (which are flatter and tbh pretty boring scenery).
Don't do it with new shoes or shorts!
is a great source of information.
Type of bike will depend on whether you are camping or B&Bing and also whether you are supported or not. If B&Bing then you can travel relatively light. If camping, then you'll need a bike that can take a rear rack and 25kgs or so.
Do it LE > JOG to take advantage of the winds.
Don't take the A30 out of LE - its horrible.
Don't plan too many daily miles for the first 3 days (which should get you as far as Okehampton or Taunton).
Save the big days for the Midlands and North West (which are flatter and tbh pretty boring scenery).
Don't do it with new shoes or shorts!
I would recommend one of two options both with drop handlebars (which offer a greater variety of riding positions to increase comfort and efficiency over long rides):
a) If you have the benefit of a support vehicle to carry your luggage I would recommend a 'Sportive' bike - a roadbike with slightly more upright geometry designed to be more comfortable on long rides. They can be identified by the comparatively tall head tube.
Example:
Specialized Secteur
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/se...
As mentioned Boardman and Trek (the 1.2) both produce excellent roadbikes at this price with slightly more racy geometry (not sure if they have pannier rack or mudguard eyes either - if you think you want to fit them).
b) If you are carrying your own clothing and equipment with you I would recommend a tourer/light tourer/audax bike. These will come equipped with a pannier rack and mudguards.
Example:
Dawes Horizon
http://www.dawescycles.com/p-222-vantage.aspx
Raleigh Royal
http://www.raleigh.co.uk/b_details.aspx?brand=8&am...
As mentioned Halfords can supply most brands.
Other tips:
Use daytime running LEDs
Use team jerseys - to generate goodwill!
Get one or two practice runs in including an overnight stay somewhere.
Make sure there isn't a huge discrepancy between the fastest and slowest in your group and try to stay together.
If you're carrying your gear a Gill Racing jacket (yachting) is a good on/off bike item along with some light sneakers to let your feet dry out and make sure your'e not wandering around looking like some freaky spandex gnome in the evenings!
Edited: link
a) If you have the benefit of a support vehicle to carry your luggage I would recommend a 'Sportive' bike - a roadbike with slightly more upright geometry designed to be more comfortable on long rides. They can be identified by the comparatively tall head tube.
Example:
Specialized Secteur
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/se...
As mentioned Boardman and Trek (the 1.2) both produce excellent roadbikes at this price with slightly more racy geometry (not sure if they have pannier rack or mudguard eyes either - if you think you want to fit them).
b) If you are carrying your own clothing and equipment with you I would recommend a tourer/light tourer/audax bike. These will come equipped with a pannier rack and mudguards.
Example:
Dawes Horizon
http://www.dawescycles.com/p-222-vantage.aspx
Raleigh Royal
http://www.raleigh.co.uk/b_details.aspx?brand=8&am...
As mentioned Halfords can supply most brands.
Other tips:
Use daytime running LEDs
Use team jerseys - to generate goodwill!
Get one or two practice runs in including an overnight stay somewhere.
Make sure there isn't a huge discrepancy between the fastest and slowest in your group and try to stay together.
If you're carrying your gear a Gill Racing jacket (yachting) is a good on/off bike item along with some light sneakers to let your feet dry out and make sure your'e not wandering around looking like some freaky spandex gnome in the evenings!
Edited: link
Edited by Roman on Wednesday 30th September 18:33
Halfords CANONT order you any bike you want! Fact, what they do is buy the bike from another retailer at a favourable rate, this is called Sub-distribution and is not allowed by those brands. The bike will have NO Warranty. Bike frame numbers are scanned out of warehouse now so the Suppliers know where their bikes have been sent.
You can however take your Haalfords Voucher to any independant Bike shop in th eCountry and ask them to supply you the bike of your choice. They will lose a little more money than if the bike came through Cycle Scheme but Trust me they would rather help you get the bike you want rather thean the bik eyou settle for.They exchange the voucher for cash with Halfords who are acting as middle men only. That is all the CycleScheme process is teh Halfords Scheme makes you feel like you are tied into them but some shops run their own versions Leisure Lakes for example. Most Independant Bike Shops are signed up with eth Cycle Scheme people.
I Hope that helps
Also best off going for a Trek!
You can however take your Haalfords Voucher to any independant Bike shop in th eCountry and ask them to supply you the bike of your choice. They will lose a little more money than if the bike came through Cycle Scheme but Trust me they would rather help you get the bike you want rather thean the bik eyou settle for.They exchange the voucher for cash with Halfords who are acting as middle men only. That is all the CycleScheme process is teh Halfords Scheme makes you feel like you are tied into them but some shops run their own versions Leisure Lakes for example. Most Independant Bike Shops are signed up with eth Cycle Scheme people.
I Hope that helps
Also best off going for a Trek!
My other half has just done a 3 day coast to coast (Withernsea to Birkdale) and if there was one thing they all said, stay off the canal paths, they did a stretch on the Leeds/Liverpool and it was the hardest of the lot, especially with the bikes weighed down with panniers, tents, sleeping bags etc, they said the surface made it really hard going and really slowed them down. It was a relief to get off the canal path and dicing with death in the traffic.
Some really useful info, thanks guys.
Will do some digging about the halords scheme, see what the loopholes are. Would be nice to have a bigger choice of bikes!
Roman: I think we'll be most likely to do the route self-sufficiently so thanks for the bike reccommendations.
Our reasoning behind doing the route 'backwards' was logistical, getting to/from JOG we were thinking of flying so didn't want to book a date for a flight back and end up constrained to a certain time. Thought it would be easier to get back to south wales via train from lands end.
Also, route advice very useful. I'm planning on bedding in all my equipment/clothing well in advance of the journey, don't want any nasty surprises!
Will do some digging about the halords scheme, see what the loopholes are. Would be nice to have a bigger choice of bikes!
Roman: I think we'll be most likely to do the route self-sufficiently so thanks for the bike reccommendations.
Our reasoning behind doing the route 'backwards' was logistical, getting to/from JOG we were thinking of flying so didn't want to book a date for a flight back and end up constrained to a certain time. Thought it would be easier to get back to south wales via train from lands end.
Also, route advice very useful. I'm planning on bedding in all my equipment/clothing well in advance of the journey, don't want any nasty surprises!
No problem!
I understand the both 'Secteur' and also the 'Fuji Newest' are able to take mudguards and pannier racks. and have triple chainsets. You could check on this and have a look at an Evans cycle store.
If you dont mind paying a little extra to add the rack and guards and not take too much luggage I'd be tempted to trade a little stability for speed and go for one of these or something similar:
Surosa Audax: http://www.surosa.co.uk/4352/products/Surosa_Audax...
Ribble Audax: http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/SpecialEditionBikes....
All are significantly lighter and higher specced than the pure tourers I mentioned - a fast light tourer with rack and guards or sportive road bike without.
I understand the both 'Secteur' and also the 'Fuji Newest' are able to take mudguards and pannier racks. and have triple chainsets. You could check on this and have a look at an Evans cycle store.
If you dont mind paying a little extra to add the rack and guards and not take too much luggage I'd be tempted to trade a little stability for speed and go for one of these or something similar:
Surosa Audax: http://www.surosa.co.uk/4352/products/Surosa_Audax...
Ribble Audax: http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/SpecialEditionBikes....
All are significantly lighter and higher specced than the pure tourers I mentioned - a fast light tourer with rack and guards or sportive road bike without.
Edited by Roman on Thursday 1st October 10:03
Saddle bum said:
If you are taking your baggage, you really should consider an Audax type machine as opposed to a Sportive one.
Not really, our group did it on sportive bikes. I used a seatpost mounted rack capable of carrying 15kg and a camelbak HAWG without the bladder. This one > http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Topeak_QR_Beam_R...Perfectly comfortable and fast. We averaged 101 miles per day with no problems apart from injury.
As for travelling back, yes its easier to get back from LE, but trust me, you do not want to end with Cornwall, its a horrible day. Get the train down to penzance, then get the train back from JOG to glasgow, get the sleeper to the south (if thats where you are!)
Also - as for bikes bought through Halfords having no warranty, I'm sorry but thats absolute bulls
tEdited by AbarthChris on Thursday 1st October 10:56
I did J O'G to LE when I was 14 on a bottom of the range Dawes (2004?) road bike with eyelets on the rear stays for a rack. Add two panniers and off I went with my father on his touring bike. Managed fine 
As said above, it's all about the mind 
Good luck I want to do it again, although, next time, I will be travelling ultra light with the aim of doing it in less than a week....watch this space 
As said above, it's all about the mind Good luck I want to do it again, although, next time, I will be travelling ultra light with the aim of doing it in less than a week....watch this space Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff