After the second cycle trip in a few months, it's been a learning curve and I thought it might be useful to share a few of the key points with those who might be contemplating this, or other long range cycle tours.
PLANNING
First off is planning. The more you do up front, the less you will have to do on the road, leaving you to focus on what you need you do every day - cycle.
Of course, you also need to be flexible to deal with current issues that might crop up, so don't get too stuck on one way of thinking and be prepared to change your plan as and when required. A smart phone is an essential piece of kit for this, as well as being able to keep in touch with the outside world and writing blogs!
Having a spreadsheet with daily miles, destinations and at least one or two accommodation option is a good ready to use reference for your bar bag.
Using a web site like bikemap.net will help you plan your route and ensure you break it down into manageable daily distances. Be conservative, you can always cover longer distances as you get fitter. Personally, I found 50 miles a day was enough with full kit, as the journey progressed and I had less to carry I found I could do around 65 miles a day.
Clearly, if you have a carbon fibre race bike and a support van, a fit cyclist could probably more easily manage 100 miles.
Be aware of any train and ferry times you may encounter on route. For example, the Wick to Inverness train passes through Thurso, meaning that if it's tight to get the last 4pm train, you can buy yourself an extra half an hour by cycling west to Thurso and also avoiding a strong southerly head wind.
Clearly, season will have a huge impact. Summer is more enjoyable, with more people and cyclists to share the journey with, but you will find accommodation harder to find. Winter will be harder, lonelier and require more equipment to be bought and carried, adding to your load.
Study your daily route the evening before to avoid mistakes, hilly areas and busy A roads, as much as possible.
UP OR DOWN?
Personally, I elected to go up rather than down, i.e. LEJOG versus JOGLE, for several reasons.
Firstly, contrary to popular belief, yes there are lots of mountains in Scotland, but you aren't cycling up hill. The fact is there are lots of hills you need to cycle up and down. However, you will still start and finish at sea level, so this really is an urban myth - it's going to be hard which ever direction you choose.
Secondly, the prevailing winds in the UK are south westerly, therefore if you go south you will likely be having to cycle into the wind, which added to the strain of peddling up hills, as I know only too well, is not much fun.
Thirdly, if something goes wrong and you get an injury, unless you already live in Scotland, you will probably find it very expensive to get a return train journey home and back to recommence where you left off.
The rest is probably personal preference. I preferred to finish off in Scotland, as I hadn't been that far north, so it felt more of an achievement to finish at JOG. Conversely, I had already been to LE.
FITNESS
Warm up and stretch all leg and back muscles properly every day and don't put any power down for at least 2 hours, particularly if cold if you want to avoid injury. Keeping your cadence at the optimum speed also helps avoid putting too much strain on tendons and ligaments. If things don't feel right, get off, re stretch, and if there really is a problem, stop the trip and either rest until recovery, or seek medical assistance.
DIET
Eat lots! You will burn a lot of calories, so don't worry about the diet. A big breakfast is very important, as is a large evening meal to refuel. In between, lots of snacking, you'll need sugar, water and salt to replenish, plus proton to repair the muscles. Cereal bars, orange juice, water, and pork pies were my solution!
Make sure you carry two large water bottles on the bike, drink before you set off and remember you will need to drink more in hotter weather.
ACCOMMODATION
Depending on your budget, your choice will influence the ease of your trip and your experience.
Camping is fun in summer and the cheapest option at around £10 per night. However this option will take more time out of your day setting up and decamping. In winter, it's a less than practical option, you'll need to arrive earlier to set up and cook, it will be a lonelier experience and less comfortable in damp, cold and rainy conditions, with no way to dry off wet kit. If you do decide to give yourself this option, remember you will be adding a lot more weight to your load. Buy the best and lightest gear you can afford. A two man is essential for longer trips for comfort and kit storage. A one man tent or bivvy bag should only be contemplated as a back up or in summer for shorter cycles.
One added issue for Scotland is the insects. Specifically midges and more worryingly, ticks. If you don't like either, don't camp north of the border.
Hostels are the next cheapest option from £15, with b&b's also offering good value for money from £25 upwards.
ROAD SAFETY
As I learnt, the average road user had little respect for the cyclist and will often pass you too quickly and too close. There is a special danger with larger vehicles like HGVs and buses, as well as in built areas and busy A roads which you can't always avoid. Do NOT go onto dual carriageways.
Therefore, make sure you buy a high vis bib or vest you can wear over other clothing and a high vis helmet cover. Wear at least one AT ALL TIMES. Buy high power lights and have these switched on flashing mode in poor light and full mode at night.
Fit a good rear view mirror and use it frequently. If you see a large vehicle approaching, or a possible bottleneck or bend where it might be hard to see you or overtake, pull over and let the traffic pass.
EQUIPMENT
A real minefield, there are many combinations and preferences - road,MTB or hybrid. Trailer, or no trailer. And that's before even thinking of what equipment to choose.
The main learning is to minimise what you carry. Avoid loading your bike up with lots of front and rear panniers, this will give you too much weight to carry. Be clinical with what you take and buy the best and lightest gear you can afford.
At the end of the day, a lot will come down to personal preference, however some tips would include:
- Well maintained bike with road tyres, comfortable saddle and touring bar
- cycle computer
- compass and bell
- waterproof panniers and dry bags, Ortlieb are the Mercedes in this genre
- waterproof handle bar bag with map case, again, I have elected foot Ortlieb
- quality locks
- high power lights
- full tool kit and spare tubes, cables, chain links, spokes, brake blocks
- cycle helmet with visor
- spd, clip in shoes and pedals
- cycle vests, shorts, tights, base layers
- high vis vest and helmet cover, wear at least one AT ALL TIMES
- mirror
- quality waterproofs; jacket, trousers and overshoes. Be aware that manufacturers claims in this regard are not necessarily accurate, do review kit carefully before purchase and year before a trip. Sooner be afraid to return if it doesn't do what it claims
- smart phone with internet access and navigation, etc, as well a, a quality emergency our baal up charger
- radio and mp3/video player
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