Britain is blessed with great cycle routes, and those who take on the formidable task of cycling the length of the country from Land’s End to John o’ Groats (LEJOG) pass through a variety of dramatic and beautiful landscapes.
That’s especially true if you choose the LEJOG1000 route outlined in the new book Britain’s Best Bike Ride (Vertebrate Publishing, £20), which is published on 6th October. Authors Hannah Reynolds and John Walsh spent six years researching the optimum way to cycle from Britain’s most south-westerly point to its most north-easterly, and the result is a scenic 1,000-mile route that delivers the perfect balance between seeing as much as possible and “getting there”.
We spoke to Reynolds before the launch of Britain’s Best Bike Ride to get more information on the duo’s passion-project route.
How does this differ from other LEJOG routes?
There are almost unlimited ways to make your way from Land’s End to John o’ Groats. We’ve favoured the most scenic route, which gives you the best experience of a cross-section of mainland Britain. We have also ensured that it is a perfect 1,000 miles as we feel this is a challenge worth shouting about.
Route designers have a few key decisions to make when planning a LEJOG route. We have chosen to trace the north coast of Cornwall, spend a decent stretch in Wales, following the border, and opted for the “snow road” through the Cairngorms instead of the more easterly route that takes you through Aviemore and Fort William.
Where possible, in the most urban areas of the north-west we have picked quieter sections through parkland and the urban fringes, before heading into the hills of Lancashire for a taste of this post-industrial landscape.
What makes it Britain’s best ride?
Over the route you come to appreciate the variety of the UK’s culture and geography. Rocky coastlines, rolling hills and captivating mountains are interspersed with historic towns and quaint villages.
If you want your journey to be a box-ticking exercise there are classic climbs to conquer and the 1,000-mile challenge to nail. If you are in it for the scenery and history, we make a point of taking the route through the best each region has to offer. How you ride the route is up to you – it has the potential to be one of the biggest physical challenges you’ll have undertaken or a meandering exploration. Our classic itinerary is also two weeks, a typical holiday period.
Can you break the ride up easily to come back on separate trips?
Absolutely. We’ve designed the book in 30 stages and each point-to-point section can be joined together to create a bespoke itinerary so you can complete the full distance over several trips. Sedbergh in Cumbria is almost bang on halfway. Its nearest mainline station is well connected to London and the rest of the country, making this an easy point to break and resume your journey.
What are other great rides to do in Britain?
Britain is full of cycling options.There are many established long-distance routes, as well as interesting day rides. The Coast to Coast is another classic route that would fit nicely in your rides collection.
Our LEJOG1000 route passes through several of Britain’s national parks, any one of which would be worth exploring further. From Exmoor to the Cairngorms, all the national parks offer fantastic cycling.
As Cumbrians we would say you can’t go far wrong in the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District if you want great climbing and epic views.
