Cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats - LEJOG September 2015

A photographic bike journey from the tip of the South-West of England to the North-East of Scotland.

[@jeffjsmith]

More details of the ride can be found at: www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/HeadsUp2015

[@chrisw6704]

Thank you for sharing this Jeff. You photography is excellent and so evocative. I cycled Lands End to John O'Groats in 1983 using a very different route, but nevertheless there were some parts that coincided with your. I so agree with your comments that showed Slaidburn and part of the Yorkshire Dales. The route we took was from the Borders to Edinburgh and up the east side of Scotland via Wick and so I was interested to see Thurso and your ride along the north coast, sorry to hear that you had a head wind on the way back to catch the train - there is so little up there to give any protection. I hope that the condition that caused you to ride is now behind you.

[@jeffjsmith]

Hi Adam, thanks for the nice comments. Your route sounds very interesting, and if I decide on another ride that way, I will be studying the options. And yes, my heart seems fine thanks - and I have even just got over what was a mild Covid infection. Thanks to the vaccination! Take care, keep well, Jeff 🚵

[@Neilhuny]

KZbin put this under my nose - what a lovely tour and description! I really enjoyed your great pictures and calm voice. The weather was remarkably good, imo

[@jeffjsmith]

Thanks so much for your nice comments. And yes, I was so fortunate with the weather! 👍

[@ukpaul9221]

Well done, bro'. Lovely photos. It makes me want to swap yarns with you. We shared the same route quite a lot. With you all the way. I did it in 1996 - aged 50, unfit and overweight. I took a more direct route using mainly A roads.. With knee pain from Bodmin to Crianlarich, I certainly knew some 'tearful' moments. I nearly died of hyperthermia somewhere south of Helmsdale (that was the very lowest moment of the trip) but flying down Glen Coe at 40mph, tears of joy and thanksgiving were streaming around my face. I really got a sense that I would make it. My overall distance was about the same as yours as I went on to cross Orkney and the on to Shetland to finish at the tip of Herma Ness on Unst. That trip gave me some great memories and your video helped to recreate some of them. Thanks again Paul in the Midlands

[@jeffjsmith]

Hi Paul - I’m glad that the video brought back some memories of your ride for you. I was particularly lucky with the weather and the temperatures that September were really quite comfortable. We are now in Spain for a few weeks - enjoying riding in sunshine with some dramatic landscapes. Best wishes, Jeff

[@merson812]

Wonderful video. I admire you very much. Thank you for sharing.

[@jeffjsmith]

Thanks very much for the comment - I’h happy that you enjoyed it. 👍 Jeff

[@phillipwood9385]

Brilliant stuff. I'm doing it in June.

[@PiotrAntonik]

You impressed me and you surprised me so much. Very nice video, the route does not look very difficult. England has something magical about it, Very nice people on the streets and there are places where time stood still. Good job.

[@jeffjsmith]

You are kind, and correct. The route takes in all sorts of varied scenery and places, and was a very memorable ride. Thanks for the comment! Jeff

[@artnautica1]

Hi Jeff, wonderful vid. Plan to do this trip next year. i'm not the youngest anymore but i'm really looking forward to the journey through your wonderful country. Best regards from Germany, Bernd

[@jeffjsmith]

Hi Bernd, I hope you have a great trip and enjoy cycling in the UK. We loved our ride up the Rhine a few years ago. It will be interesting to hear how you find the cycling conditions here compared to in Germany. Have fun! 👍

[@davidlee4966]

Really enjoyed the video, a nice lift to our spirits during this time of limited activity, a journey I must cycle myself

[@jeffjsmith]

Thanks - It is a good ride - and if you get good weather (as I did) you get to see some super scenery.

[@darrenclifford8933]

Great video thanks for sharing,i feel quite relaxed after watching this.hope your heart condition is better.👍

[@jeffjsmith]

Thanks, and yes I'm still doing well on the health front. And looking forward to some more trips. What about you?

[@darrenclifford8933]

@@jeffjsmith good to hear Jeff,I’m planning a Lejog for next year and found your post very informative and inspiring,I have since bought the book you recommended so I think you should ask for commission lol.

[@jeffjsmith]

Enjoy the trip - I am sure you will, it is a good one!

[@oldmengosouth4201]

Lovely video - brought back some wonderful memories. Well done!

[@jeffjsmith]

Thanks!

[@christaylor4263]

What a thoroughly nice chap ,,

[@albertwatson1189]

what stunning pictures jeff every one a winner you seemed to have good weather i would love to do jogle but 70 in jan and to lazy lol rules this out well done was a joy to watch respect

[@jeffjsmith]

Thanks - it is a beautiful ride, and I was so lucky with the weather!

[@jeffjsmith]

Hi Chris. My bike was a Koga Miyata World Traveller. It has done about 35000 km now, I bought it in 2008. However, some cracks have appeared at the front of the frame where the forks join. KM are willing to replace the frame and forks, but now don’t make a 26” wheel version, just 28”. This is giving me some difficult decisions. It has been an excellent bike, but I had expected it to outlive me!

[@paulmanson6276]

Thank you for sharing Jeff, really enjoyed the video and can't wait to do it

[@jeffjsmith]

I hope you can get to do it soon, it is a great trip to make 👍🚵‍♀️

[@colinwellman9480]

Thanks for sharing this Jeff. I've watched your other cycling tours in France and recognise many of the places you visit. France is a nice place to live but the UK is a beautiful country as shown in your photographs. We only managed a week in the Charente this year due to Covid but hope things improve next year so we can explore more of France. Stay healthy and good luck for 2021.

[@jeffjsmith]

Thanks Colin - and same to you! Here's to a better year in 2021!

[@pootlingalong8928]

Thank you for sharing - what a great photographic record of your ride. I'm due to ride this route this summer, I'll be taking even longer than you (very low daily mileage for me) and camping all the way. Can't wait ... :)

[@jeffjsmith]

You'll have a great time riding three route and experiencing all the wonderful scenery. Have fun!

[@biketouringgrandad58]

Loved your photographic journey vid, I'm hoping to do my first bike tour very soon, just recovering from my new hip operation, can I ask what bike you used on your adventure.

[@jeffjsmith]

Hi - I had an eight year old Koga Miyata World Traveller at that time. Unfortunately it developed a crack in the frame last year, but happily it was replaced under warranty. It was a good bike. I hope that you enjoy the.ride - take your time to appreciate the varied scenery and places on the way! And have fun! Jeff

[@OrdinaryBlokeOnABike]

Nicely put together Jeff. Really gives me a flavour of what to expect when I do it in August, and hopefully I get as lucky as you did with the weather 👍🚴

[@jeffjsmith]

Hi Bill, I hope you get some good weather - it does make a nice difference. It is so hit and miss in the UK, but I’m certain that you will have a great trip - and some excellent days riding. Enjoy!

[@OrdinaryBlokeOnABike]

@@jeffjsmith It was an incredible experience and yes, we got lucky with the weather, just rained on us twice - on Dartmoor and in the Lake District, and I'm uploading videos to keep the memory alive. thanks for the inspiration Jeff

[@jeffjsmith]

That’s brilliant - congratulations on doing the ride, and I’m glad that you had good weather too. I’m looking forward to seeing your videos! 👍

[@kevindean9613]

Great Video , I started LEJOG in June following the Royston Wood "A safer way route " & to be Honest I wished I had done the same as you did , some sections were not safe at all. Unfortunately I was taken ill in Moy 800 miles in , But I intend to finish it once I've had a operation using your route .

[@jeffjsmith]

Yes, it was a pretty good route. I hope you get to do it soon, and that the operation goes well. Will you have a long wait, given the NHS situation?

[@kevindean9613]

@@jeffjsmith Thank you .I'm having to go privately unfortunately or wait another year ,My Dr & certain NHS staff made some big mistakes but that's another story that I'm perusing. The first 3 days I had appalling rain & head winds ,But I'm really looking forward to finishing it along mainly quite roads & cycle tracks , Following the new Cicerone route recently published .I'll have a look at your route as well.

[@jeffjsmith]

@@kevindean9613 Good luck and enjoy it when you get to cycle the route!

[@paulperry8614]

Very nice video and great route, I would like to do it on an electric bike, I could do 50 miles a day but would then need a place to recharge my battery. I wonder if anyone has done this trip on an electric bike. I guess you would have to plan stops well.

[@agp24432]

great video Jeff thanks for sharing im hoping to do this trip in the near future were you happy with the route from the guide book

[@jeffjsmith]

Hi, yes, the route was fine for me, and kept me on mostly quiet roads and often with great scenery. I had a slightly different route on the day after Plymouth to meet up with my partner and the campervan, but otherwise I think I used the book route exactly. If you get the chance, I recommend it as a real treat of a ride. Good luck with it. Jeff

[@agp24432]

@@jeffjsmith thanks Jeff I will get that book I watched some of your other videos I also have a Oxford Bike Works but with deraliur gears. Great bikes and Richard is good to deal with

[@paulperry8614]

Dry nice video and great route, I would like to do it on an electric bike, I could do 50 miles a day but would then need a place to recharge my battery. I wonder if anyone has done this trip on an electric bike. I guess you would have to plan stops well.

[@jeffjsmith]

Where would you plan to stay overnight? Would you be able to charge each evening?

[@paulperry8614]

@@jeffjsmith I would plan to charge overnight in B&B or camp site with electric. You could charge in the day at a stop at a cafe or pub. Hopefully if you have snack or meal in a pub they would charge your battery or top it up.

[@jeffjsmith]

@@paulperry8614 yes, we met a couple on a ride in France who did just that. We chatted to them at lunchtime and then saw them again in the afternoon at a cafe having a coffee and charging their bikes. I think France is used to this, and I would guess they are in the UK too.

[@christaylor4263]

What bike did you use for this trip Jeff and was it up to the job?. Thanks

[@richardsmart7552]

Hi Jeff, Thanks a lot for this excellent video. Particularly useful to me as I plan to do exactly the same route this July (COVID allowing), and using the same book. I now know what to expect! I am 62 and also plan to take around 23 days. I am riding for charity and hope to go lightweight and stay in B&Bs and with friends and family en route. Did you need to book B&Bs months in advance ? Thanks again.

[@jeffjsmith]

Hi Richard - I hope you have a great ride next summer! The situation for me with accomodation was quite easy, it being September and demand was decreasing. I just booked one day or two days ahead as I went along, using booking.com or sometimes airbnb. With your plan to ride in July, and after all the lockdown, the situation is likely to be quite different, and I think it would be wise to book ahead some time before you leave. If you don’t mind cycling in rain (and of course there won’t be any) then you can maybe plan things out to suit your expected daily mileage and the terrain. As you get to Scotland accomodation becomes a bit scarce in places - hence my stay at a motorway service area hotel. It will work out - and you will have a fabulous and memorable time!!

[@neil9688]

foxes are protected you should hand that to police cruel bastards apart from that great video

[@jeffjsmith]

Thanks. Unfortunately I don’t think foxes are legally protected, except if cruelty is involved ... I have no idea of the circumstances in which those foxes were killed.