CX LEJOG Route (Gravelejog)

[whitestone]

Nearly there

Here is Wales to the Forest Of Bowland

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=nhyyeqpngrrmswte

And thanks to Ian Fitz we have an epic route north. I'm liking this as I've not really ridden any of it and going through the Lakes could end up just a little bit too epic.

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=upnnolndtwrezgim

A slightly more off-road route around Dent would be to drop down the BW directly to Dent from Green Lane then just after Barth Bridge take the lane up on to Long Moor.

[JohnClimber]

Hey Dave

Ref Liverpool


Our route to B will be ok but on main road, and the "Loop Line" north is safe enough to ride on in the morning until about 3pm.
As a local I wouldn't ride this after 3pm because of the scally's, people have had there bikes taken from then at knife point in the past, it's a narrow old train track with no width to go around 3 or 4 scallys who like the look of your bike.
Plus also it takes you south to go north again, the section from the M58 to Southport along the "Cheshire Lines" is nice, apart from passing the sewerage works

If you would like me to I'm happy to ride shot gun (if I'm nearby and off work) and do you a couple of GPX's, one up the coast from B to C with a couple if cheeky single tracks, or from B to the Cheshire Lines near the M58.

Just let me know and drop me a PM with your email address to get them over to you

PS, Plus if you are cutting Liverpool a little there is a great coastal cycle route up the lefthand side and over the top of the Wirral that you can use to avoid traffic

PPS, Email sent with your 2 gpx's

[Dave Barter]

Revised Wales to FOB section thanks to JohnClimber

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=zemdhbhbrtcnafjh

Just need to fill the Brecon to PRestatyn gap and we're done

[Ian]

Revised Wales to FOB section thanks to JohnClimber

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=zemdhbhbrtcnafjh

Just need to fill the Brecon to PRestatyn gap and we're done

Right, I'm on the case!

[Dave Barter]

Here's what a cycle route planner comes up with. I diverted over Long Mynd

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=xupksonaygtxovfe

[Ian]

That's a bit more direct than the one I've just emailed you...

[ianfitz]

Here's what a cycle route planner comes up with. I diverted over Long Mynd

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=xupksonaygtxovfe

Looks more direct than the main road!

[Dave Barter]

Ian is trying to do for us with the hilliest section of the ride between Brecon and Prestatyn ... but here is the first unveiling of the full route

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=lxtzdnunmipvioai

It looks stupidly hard on paper and is probably even more stupidly hard in practise. Thanks to IanB, Taylor, IanFitz, John for sending me GPX files and others for your comments. Now its time for a big edit before the off which is looking like October 15th or 16th

[Dan_K]

Once the route's edited, you can start worrying about tyre choice...

[composite]

I may well be up for doing part of this Dave. I'm not sure how long I might be able to get off work.

Are you planning on trains to get to the start?

[Dave Barter]

Yep, train to Penzance

[benp1]

Cor, that looks tough!

[Richard G]

Just threw it into Map My Ride for the climb analysis.

Cat 1: 1
Cat 2: 11
Cat 3: 13
Cat 4: 15
Cat 5: 45

Psh... should be easy.

[Taylor]

Where's all the planned overnight stops?

[Dave Barter]

Wherever we fall off the bike.

That's my next job, after learning Portugese

[Richard G]

If I'm around I definitely might try and ride alongside for a bit of the Wales section. If I can keep up that is!

Shall buy you a pint and cheer you on your way.

[ianfitz]

I dont feel as bad about my proposals having looked at ians welsh section

My folks live in formby about 800m off your route,, after you come off the beach and back onto the tarmac. they accommodated my friend jenny when she did her lejog a few years ago, I'm sure they'd be happy to do the same if you are excepting hospitality!

[Wotsits]

Kinnel that's a beast of a ride Dave, good luck!!

[Dave Barter]

Myself and Andy L (Chickenlegs) are setting off from Penzance on Monday 12th October 13:25pm. We've got about 13 days to do the whole thing as Helen is meeting us on Sunday 25th to drag our sorry asses home.

It would be great to see as many peeps as possible on the way as I guess I will be swearing before Padstow and hence Andy will be up the road. I'll have the SPOT tracker with me. I'll try and work out a vague schedule next week.

I'm still very scared of Ian's (F) northern section and Ian's (B) Welsh section. These are complete unknowns to me. The rest I've mostly done before over various other rides, I also have two bale out routes if it all gets too silly as I've done it twice before.

[Zippy]

You gonna have your spot tracker going, and where can we watch your progress?

EDIT: oh you;ve answered that one, ignore me. Enjoy it

[mountainbaker]

I'll see if I can get the 13th off work and ride out and meet you around Dulverton and go across to Bridgewater with you guys, be great to catch up.

[ianfitz]

Myself and Andy L (Chickenlegs) are setting off from Penzance on Monday 12th October 13:25pm. We've got about 13 days to do the whole thing as Helen is meeting us on Sunday 25th to drag our sorry asses home.

It would be great to see as many peeps as possible on the way as I guess I will be swearing before Padstow and hence Andy will be up the road. I'll have the SPOT tracker with me. I'll try and work out a vague schedule next week.

I'm still very scared of Ian's (F) northern section and Ian's (B) Welsh section. These are complete unknowns to me. The rest I've mostly done before over various other rides, I also have two bale out routes if it all gets too silly as I've done it twice before.

I don't think my section will be too bad! the tricky parts are likely to be cross fell which is a big old lump - but has a bothy on top. Its steep to climb up from that side though, If you pass it too early in the day to stop you can omit it and take a more direct back road route to towards carlisle. the decent from it will be a big miss though!

the section after sedburgh is the other one, I see to remeber it being fine, but was riding in the other direction and on mtb tyres. there are a number of options to escape to the right onto the A683 which will take you past the fat lamb pub and a left turn to ravenstonedale to re-join the route.

[Ray Young]

I don't think my section will be too bad! the tricky parts are likely to be cross fell which is a big old lump - but has a bothy on top. Its steep to climb up from that side though, If you pass it too early in the day to stop you can omit it and take a more direct back road route to towards carlisle. the decent from it will be a big miss though!.

Ian, at least you haven't sent them up the road climb to the radar station, now that would be .
The bridleway after that I know has now been sanatised, it used to be great. A stone block road falling apart, very technical riding and only just rideable. I used to do it once a year and then horror of horrors, totally flat hardpack. I could have cried.
Your descent is good though.

[Mike]

Good effort guys 13 days to do that lot, thats some hard going. One gpx i wont be bothering to download

[Scattamah]

I'll have to stalk ya Dave and try catch up for the Shrops. leg.

Greetz

S.