John O’Groats to Lands End Cycle

Contact Us for more dates. Check out our LEJOG for our camping trip.

Overview

The John O’Groats to Lands End Cycle is a truly outstanding journey along the length of the UK. Starting in the far northeast of Scotland, our End to End route passes through gloriously wild scenery through the highlands and south towards England. Over the Scottish-English border we cycle through the Lake District then south through more gorgeous scenery towards the West Country and on to our destination, Lands End.

The trip could be a great way to raise money for your chosen charity, or just as an active holiday and to see more of this wonderful country!

Highlights

The dramatic Scottish highlands and rugged coastline

The ski centres of the Cairngorms

Magnificent views of the Lake District

The beautiful countryside of Southwest England

Getting off your bike each day!!

With 14 full days of cycling around 70 miles a day, the John O’Groats to Lands End Cycle is a long and arduous trip but achievable with a bit of preparation and some time spent in the saddle. Our journey begins at the Northern-most point of mainland Scotland, John O’ Groats. We then cycle ever-southwards through dramatic landscapes of Scotland, over the border into England passing the Lake District then straight through middle-England. We enter the West Country, cycling south-west through Bath, then into Devon. Our route ends at Lands End in the deep southwest.
In the evenings we generally eat as a group at a local pub restaurant which we will organise or alternatively order in some takeaway food. You are of course able to do your own thing if you wish.
It is a fully guided and supported trip. Please note we use a mix of B&Bs, guest houses and occasionally hostels.

Single room option (B&B) £400.

End to End Cycle

Itinerary

This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change. Whilst we endeavour to uphold the proposed daily mileages, this cannot be guaranteed due to changes to Bed & Breakfast bookings.

Day 1: Join tour in Glasgow

Meet in Glasgow at 10:00. Here you will be met by your Tour Leader and transferred with luggage and bikes to a B&B near John O’Groats. During our first evening meal, you will receive a thorough briefing from your Tour Leader and get to know the rest of the group.

Day 2: John O’Groats to Tongue (63 miles)

After breakfast and making packed lunches, we will be transferred to John O’Groats for our first group photo at the world-famous landmark sign. From here we head west and begin our journey keeping our eyes peeled for the stunning, wild beaches along this route.

Day 3: Tongue to Ardgay (50 miles)

There are plenty of hills to overcome today but we are rewarded with spectacular wilderness and isolated roads.

Day 4: Ardgay to Grantown-on-Spey (78 miles)

We continue our journey passing through the historic city of Inverness on the shores of Loch Ness. We can’t promise a sighting of the famous beast but we’ll keep an eye out nonetheless.

Day 5: Grantown-on-Spey to Braemar (47 miles)

This is our first big hill day of the trip. We are straight into the climbs, some are long and gradual, and others short and steep! Again we forgive the terrain due to the stunning scenery. Today we have to overcome “The Lecht”, which many find the hardest climb on the whole trip, long and winding with sections of 20%. Make no mistake, this will test the fittest of riders! Once over the summit though we have lots of downhill to rest our aching legs!

Day 6: Braemar to Kinross (68 miles)

This is another tough day in the middle of the Cairngorms with a big climb up the Spittal of Glenshee. We then leave the Cairngorm National Park and head through Blairgowrie and Perth onto Kinross, our stopover.

Day 7: Kinross to Peebles (58 miles)

A treat today as we head into the stunning city of Edinburgh and across the Forth Road Bridge, with great views of the city then on to the Forth Rail Bridge. Once across we head directly south the Peebles.

Day 8: Peebles to Carlisle (65 miles)

We head south across the border into England and down towards our stopover near Carlisle.

Day 9: Carlisle to Lancaster (80 miles)

A stunning day today as we skirt the beautiful Lake District and head through Penrith and Kendal. A major climb today is to Shap which is a challenge, but by this time you should breeze up it! After some fantastic downhill sections we head into Lancaster for our stopover.

Day 10: Lancaster to Market Drayton (85 miles)

Another long day as we make our way around the big cities of the north-west, nipping between Liverpool and Manchester but keeping on as quiet roads as possible. Once through the built-up areas it is plain sailing down towards Market Drayton.

Day 11: Market Drayton to Hereford (80 miles)

A long but very scenic day today as we head directly south past Shrewsbury and Telford on our way to Hereford.

Day 12: Hereford to Bath (70 miles)

Heading south we pass the picturesque town of Ross-on-Wye and push up past the hills that surround the city of Bath.

Day 13: Bath to Tiverton (75 miles)

We continue our journey south past Taunton and into the South-west. Not long to go now!!!

Day 14: Tiverton to Bodmin (70 miles)

A challenging day today with many hills to climb. The views definitely make up for it though, skirting around Dartmoor National Park and into Bodmin for our stopover.

Day 15: Bodmin to Lands End (60 miles)

On our final, triumphant day! A fairly undulating and straightforward cycle through the quiet roads of Cornwall. We’ll soon get a glimpse of the stunning cliffs at Lands End and congratulate each other on a fabulous achievement.

Congratulations…you completed the John O’Groats to Lands End Cycle! After some obligatory photos at the world-famous sign, it is time for a well-earned drink and celebratory meal.

Day 16: Tour ends

Today, you and your bike will be transferred to Penzance train station. From here we say our goodbyes.

Included

Tour Leader/s and support driver

15 x nights B&B fees

14 x lunches (bread, ham, cheese, tuna, salad, pasta salad, fruit and cereal bars)

All luggage transported during your trip

Tea, coffee and biscuits.

Not included

Bike and helmet (available to hire from us for £160 for this trip, please make us aware on the booking form if you require bike hire)

Transport to and from pick-up and drop-off points

Evening meals, drinks and snacks

Insurance

Trip Suitability

You will be cycling for at least 8 hours each day but the John O’Groats to Lands End Cycle is not a race! This is a group trip and we like to cycle as such. You will be cycling through rugged landscapes which are very hilly, and the pace will be determined by your cycle leader. If you are unable to keep to this pace, you will be asked to either travel in the support vehicle or you will be provided with detailed route notes to continue at your own pace.

You are advised to prepare before coming on the trip, anything cardiovascular will help as will of course cycling. Importantly you need to do some 8+ hour cycles so you will know what is required. You will need to get some hill practice in!

If you would like a more detailed training plan please contact us on info@moreadventure.co.uk. Alternatively check out our training weekends which are an excellent way to build on skills that are required for an End 2 End. You will receive a 10% discount on these weekends if you are booked on any other More Adventure trips.

Most important of all is a positive attitude!

Food and Accommodation

Accommodation for this trip is Bed & Breakfasts. All have hot water showers and basic amenities.

Breakfast will vary each morning but will generally be a choice of cereals, toast, cooked items and fruit. Packed lunches will also be laid out for you to help yourself after breakfast. Lunches will include breads, ham, cheese, tuna, salad, fruit, pasta salad and cereal bars. We will also be stopping at shops along the way for people to buy snacks and drinks.

Evening meals and drinks are not included in the price. Most evenings we will give you the opportunity to eat out as a group at a local pub/restaurant. Approximate costs per evening meal £10-20.

Equipment

We recommend road/touring bicycles for this trip. Please contact us if you are unsure whether your bike is suitable.

Bikes are not included in the price, but are available to hire from us. It is very important that if you bring your own bike it is in good working order and you bring plenty of spares. Please bring at least five spare inner tubes. You must bring suitable, reasonably new tyres (e.g. Continental Gatorskin, Bontrager Race Hardcase; Schwalbe Marathon Plus). We do not provide helmets but we strongly recommend you bring your own to wear.

Weather and Clothing

This is Great Britain, so be prepared for the weather! The trip will continue in all but the absolute worst of weathers. Generally the best clothes to wear while cycling are light and comfortable. Please bring a lightweight waterproof top and a lightweight windproof top. Make sure you bring enough clothes for each days cycling and for evening meals. Better to “have and not need than to need and not have”!

There are limited clothes washing facilities on this trip so please pack accordingly.

Luggage

All luggage will be transported between B&B’s as you cycle. You are therefore limited to one suitcase/large holdall and one daysack. Please bring a suitable bag to carry waterproof, windproof and snacks whilst cycling. This could be a small pannier or daysack.

Tour Leaders

For this trip you will have at least one (depending on size of group) leader who will ride with the group and one leader who will be in the support van and generally supporting the cyclists.

The John O’Groats to Lands End Cycle will run on a minimum number of 6 persons.