Land's End to John O'Groats

Cycling "End to End" is the classic great British bike ride. The most direct route is around 860 miles in length but in reality most people cover around 1000 miles by opting for quieter more scenic roads.

In April 2005 I cycled from Land's End to John O'Groats to fulfill a long standing ambition and raise over £1300 for cancer related charities. I completed the ride in 14 days, carrying my own kit in panniers and staying mainly in youth hostels.

I can recommend the ride to anyone as it is a good way to explore Britain and fascinating to observe the landscape change day by bay, from one county to the next. It is also a fairly considerable achievement and you will not look at a map of the UK in the same way for while.

Further down this page I have tried to answer some commonly asked questions by way of advice for prospective End to Enders. You can find out about more aspects of my trip by following these links:

• Route taken
• Gear used
• Daily journal

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take me?

The world record for cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats is 41 hours 4 mins and 22 secs. However if you are reading this I suspect it might take you a little longer than that.

Most people take between 10 days and 3 weeks with 2 weeks being a popular time frame. This means an average of 70 miles per day which is about 6 hours cycling time.

What type of bike should I use?

Whilst the ideal is a touring bike, rigid mountain bikes with slick tyres are also suitable. It is possible to use a road bike but beware if you are carrying your own gear that you may not be able to carry panniers. I would advise strongly against carrying a heavy rucksack - your back and shoulders won't thank you for it.

North to South or South to North?

I was recently advised that it is best to walk the West Highland Way from South to North to avoid having the sun in your eyes. I suppose the same could hold true for cycling Land's End to John O'Groats.

Most people do head North but to take advantage of the prevailing South-Westerly winds in the UK. This didn't work for me. The advantage of traveling North to South is that you meet many more End to Enders heading the other way.

When should I go?

I would suggest May and June are the best months. I cycled in early April which was a bit cold (I got snowed on). Much of the route passes through some very touristy areas (Cornwall, Devon, the Lakes and the West coast of Scotland). During the summer holidays the traffic will be heavy on these roads and accommodation harder to come by. There is also the slim danger of it being too hot. This is less of a problem North of the border. However the Scottish midge, most prevalent in late summer, is a very real threat.

Camping, youth hostels or B&Bs?

This is really personal choice. If you decide to camp it is a lot of extra gear to carry but does give you a much greater flexibility of where to stay each night. Personally I like youth hostels as they are well set up to receive dirty cyclists and their bikes; all have bike sheds and the larger ones laundry facilities. Eating out for 2 weeks, especially the gargantuan portions you're going to require, is an expensive business. I appreciated being able to make my own conical pasta feasts. And then going out for dinner.

How do I get to the start/finish?

Wherever you live in the country you're going to have travel at least 1000 miles getting to and from the start and finish. By far the best way to do this to bribe a friend or family member to give you a lift as bikes and public transport don't mix well.

The nearest train station to Land's End is 10 miles away in Penzance. John O'Groats is just about equidistance (12 miles) from Thurso and Wick. If you are starting/finishing at the weekend during the 'peak' season it is advisable to book your bike onto the train well in advance. Scotrail do run an additional van to carry bikes from Thurso to Inverness during the summer.

I tried to fly from Aberdeen to Plymouth but this also proved to be a disaster. There are cheap flights from Inverness (about 100 miles from JO'G) to London and Bristol.

Should I get sponsored?

Many End to Enders are raising money for charity. I did so myself. However it was not my primary motivation for doing the ride. In a way I felt guilty asking people for money as, barring serious illness or injury, I could see no reason why I wouldn't finish. However they were happy to give money to 2 charities that I feel strongly about and it did give me a little more motivation on the hills.

This is not true for everyone. I met 2 guys who were clearly not regular cyclists who raised over £3000 for the Tsunami relief fund. To them it was a major challenge, which I am happy to report they completed a day before me.

I do feel that if people want to give money to a charity they believe in it shouldn't take someone going for a bike ride and rattling a tin to prompt them.

Which is the toughest bit?

Without doubt Cornwall. For many this also the first bit. The hills are stupidly steep, there are no flat bits and it is easy to get lost in the high hedged winding network of lanes. If you survive past Dartmoor you'll be fine.

Scotland is a doddle. The roads go round the really lumpy bits and if they do go over them the gradients are gradual.

How much training should I do?

As much as possible. You will enjoy yourself more if you are not permanently knackered. I recommend at least one weekend away with all your kit to get used to the fully loaded bike and to give you an idea of what you may or may not need (less than you think).

How much will it cost me?

Not cheap is the answer. If you are getting trains to and from the start it's going to cost you at least £100. 14 nights hostel accommodation at £12 a night is £168. For B&Bs (say £25 a night) this figure rises to £350. Then there is food...

Eating out most meals for two weeks is never going to be cheap. Cycling all day every day makes you hungrier than a gravid wolf. Side portions of everything and sticky toffee pudding to follow are obligatory.

Posted: 25/04/06