Only one month to go …
I am officially scared now, after I had a look at the route for my next big trip, Land’s End to John o’Groats, this time again on a singlespeed. The bike is not even ready yet, after weeks and weeks of trying to get my Torpedo hub fixed (as in repaired), I am now only waiting for the 130mm kit to be shipped over to finally have a proper bike again. Hope that doesn’t take another week or so, as with those distances in mind, I better get used to one gear again. But I am sure it will be fine, I did 165km in snow in winter with panniers and rack, so this time only the wind can make the trip hard. I am, however, hopeful that i will get one of those lovely south/southwest winds, which would make things a whole lot easier. I am just chucking some ideas in terms of kit around, as I need some fast, but durable tyres, as there are a lot of towns to negotiate, and I all I don’t need is a puncture or four of them, as on the last trip in Hamburg. If you have recommendations, fire them through. So for that moment, that’s the plan for the ride:
23/07: Land’s End – Street, Glastonbury 296km
24/07: Street, Glastonbury – Church Stretton 200k
25/07: Church Stretton – Kendal 225k
26/07: Kendal – Kinross 275k
27/07: Kinross – Balintraid 254km
28/07: Balintraid – John o’Groats 153km
If you know people along the way that have a spare bed/couch, please get in touch, I would love to meet locals rather than staying in B&Bs or hostel, so far I have tailored the route around hostels. Any recommendations on the route are welcome, remember I am riding a singlespeed, so only normal hills are fine, but I am training fell running as well, in case I need to run up them.
The bike set-up shall be the following (hopefully): Swobo Crosby, Specialized Toupe Saddle, SRAM Torpedo Hub (might ride the last bit fixed then), Continental Gatorskin 700x23c tyres (other recommendations welcome).
[…] our new season brochure to the printer in July, I will be heading off on another trip to cycle from Land’s End to John o’Groats on a singlespeed in six days, taking pictures of our brochure in the various parts of Britain I […]
Hi there. I would recommend Continental GP4000 25c tires. There are faster than the cgatorskins and run at 90 psi will give your hands more relief when the road surface changes in the Boarders. As for puncture resistance, I’ve not long finished a 9 days single speed Land’s End to John o’Groats ride, with no punctures. In fact I have had over 5000 miles on those tires without a puncture. I’d like to try to the ride again, unsupported with a bivy bag, I reckon I could do it in 3 days at a push. Have fun!
Thanks James, I think I gonna opt for those. Riding the 4000S with Black Chilli on my roadie, and they are much more durable than the Michelin I tried before. Hope I will get my bike in time though, that’s the biggest issue still thanks to lovely Wiggle and SRAM.
Hi there
I am thinking of doing a lejog on a single speed i’ve got a trek soho and it will take some racks. Am i mad to even think about it on this bike? If not what gear would you recomend i take with me?
Thanks
Stew
Hi Stew, looks like a bike that could do it. I used 42-18, but had almost no luggage, so you might be better off with a 42-19/20 maybe? Really depending on the route, I took the straightest way, but there were some good climbs in there. Barrydale in the North-East of Scotland is the steepest I had, 13% incline, but I did it. My bike had some quick tyres on, which have done an amazing job, Continental Grand Prix 4000S, I used them for the rest of the journey as well, with panniers and camping gear, no problem at all. Feel free to drop me an email if you have any more questions.