MacPanda's LEJoG Tour

Route

Stage 1 Lands End to Dartmoor 94.4 miles The first stage is also the longest stage of the tour. This is because I wanted to be able to think that I'd made a reasonable start, and because psychologically I wanted to be out of England as soon as possible.

Stage 2 Dartmoor to Glastonbury 88.1 miles Stage 2 takes us into the Third County of the Tour, with Cornwall and Devon being dispensed with on Day 1, I'll be in Glastonbury by the evening of Day 2, with a reviving Joss Stick and Rune

Stage 3 Glastonbury to Monmouth 64.1 miles A leisurely day in comparison with the first 2. At only 64 miles, this I suspect will nonetheless be the worst day, passing as it does less than half a dozen miles from home. However, the excitement of passing out of England on only Day 3 will be plenty compensation for this, I'm sure. Also, Day 3 has the added bonus of going predominantly North.

Stage 4 Monmouth to Whitchurch 90.1 miles Well, Wales didn't last long. Back in England before the end of Day 3, never to return to Wales. This is the second longest day and sees further progress North.

Stage 5 Whitchurch to St Michaels on Wyre 73.6 miles This does not, on paper, look like a good day. There's a route to be picked out between Manchester and Liverpool, and it's all fairly industrial. However it's not the longest day by far, and it should only be the middle couple of hours that suffer from bad traffic. This day brings us clear of Preston and the last of the hugely built up North.

Stage 6 St Michaels on Wyre to Pooley Bridge 64.7 miles Half a day in Lancashire, and half in the Lake District. This should be the first really nice day of cycling, with only the one slight drawback in the shape of Shap early on in the day.

Stage 7 Pooley Bridge to Melmerby 13.5 miles (Rest Day) Strange Concept this one - a Rest Day. I didn't want to just cycle non stop for a fortnight, but I also didn't want a day away from it completely and lose momentum. This is a short day with a couple of hours of real leisurely cycling through the lake district. I may even buy some Kendal Mint Cake and sit by a lake someplace and eat it.

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At this point, when we've already travelled 488 miles together, maybe it's time you DONATEed?

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Stage 8 Melmerby to Penpot 72.7 miles A day in the borders or England and Scotland sees us waving goodbye to England for the rest of the tour. Scotland is achieved at Gretna and follows the railway line all the way to Penpot, so hopefully a flat day.

Stage 9 Penpot to Aldochlay 90.7 miles The last 90 mile day - after this nothing over 77 miles - but hills. The last of the cities pass by as we skirt Glasgow and cross the Erskine bridge, and end up on the bonny bonny campsite at Luss, which is on the bonny bonny A82, which skirts Loch Lomond

Stage 10 Aldochlay to Fort William 77.3 miles Lochs and Mountains and Moors and National Parks and Glencoe. Every thing that you need for a good day's cycling and a good nights sleep.

Stage 11 Fort William to Dingwall 73.4 miles Most of today is spent alongside lochs, starting with Loch Linnhe, then Loch Lochy, Loch Ness.

Stage 12 Dingwall to Helmsdale 57.3 miles It may look like a bit of an easy day, at only 57 miles, but having driven this section quite a few time, I remember hills and clouds.

Stage 13 Helmsdale to John O'Groats 52.4 miles The big big hill out of Helmsdale is about the last big climb of the whole tour. After that its gently rolling coast roads that go right up to John O'Groats. Then that's it, all over.