Lands End John O Groats Ride

Itinerary

Pre Event Day : Arrive in Penzance 
Arrive for reception at our designated accomodation and enjoy the atmosphere and anticipation of the great adventure to come. If you have opted for a bike collection service, or to rent a bike from Adventure Cafe, your bikes will arrive at the hotel in Penzance late afternoon for collection. 

Day 1: Lands End to Liskeard - 120km, 1600m ascent
Departing Lands End, we make our way through the scenic centre of Cornwall, through Turo and St Austell, arriving in Liskeard 120km ( 70 miles) later

Day 2:  Liskeard to Taunton - 148km, 2000m ascent

A big day today, day 2 will be spent crossing Devon. We'll climb over the fomidable expanse of Dartmoor, passing the former Prison on our way, desceding off the moor into the small city of Exeter and into Somerset where we will spnd the night in the county capital town of Taunton

Day 3: Taunton to North Bristol - 135km, 900m ascent

A much flatter day's riding as we ride north, across the Somerset levels and through the mendips to Bristol. 

Day 4: North Bristol to Wolverhampton - 145km, 800m ascent
Crossing three counties - Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Staffordshire. Overnight in Wolverhampton - and we're 1/3 of th way into the journey! 

Day 5: Wolverhampton to Bolton - 148km, 750m ascent

Passing through Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent, we progress further Notrh, skirting the Peak District and the outer bounds of Manchester 

Day 6: Bolton to Shap- 137km, 1200m ascent

Through Forest of Bowland , we'll ride on out of Lancashere and into Westmorland…. Cycling the flatter region nestled between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District National Parks. We've passed the halfway mark by the end of today!

Day 7: Shap to Moffat- 120km, 750m ascent

We're into Scotland now… and it's a day of flat cycling through Carlisle, Grenta Green to Moffat 

Day 8: Moffat to Kinross  132km, 1100m ascent

The longest leg on this itenarary … it's relatively flat riding to Edingburgh, where we will ride over the Firth of Forth , in view of the magnificent Forth Bridge. We have a little effort as we ride through Fife, then down to our destination for the night ,in Perth.     

Day 9:  Kinross to Newtonmore 141km, 1200m ascent

With Stunning views of the Cairngorms, we skirt the southern edge of this National Park as we ride through teh Glenn Garry pass into Newtonmore for our overnight. 

Day 10: Newtonmore to Dingwall - 102km,  900m ascent
We continue in the shade of the Cairngorms, through the popular toursit destinaton of Aviemore, wind our way out of the Cairngorms and dive into Scotlands highland capital, Inverness. Our path takes us around the Cromarty Firth before diving Northwards into the Ross-Shire hills and our destination town Lairg.

Day 11: Dingwall  to Crask - 102km,  1100m ascent

More stunning Scottish Lockside riding today, and another relatively short day in the saddle, ahead of our final push tomorrow…

Day 12 - Crask to John O'Groats - 134km, 1000m ascent
The final stage and a chance to catch our breath and weave our way Northwards through the wild North uplands of Scotland to the north Atlantic coast. As we ride along the roof of the British Isles to our final destination and the end of the road, the dream of achieving a truly epic ride is now becoming a reality. Congratulations… you made it. Transfer to Wick and your first night in clean sheets for over a week… bliss.

Day 13: Departures
Depart with fond farewells and magnificant memories… this is truly a classic UK adventure you will remember for the rest of your life.

If you have booked a bike returns service with us, your bike will begin it's return journey too - and will be returned to the agreed drop-off location in one ( Northern locations) or two days (Southern locations).  

Accommodation

13* x Nights B+B, twin share as standard

*including 1 night in Penzance pre-ride. Individuals NOT requing this should inform Adventure cafe at the time of booking. 

What is a Level 4.0 Cycling Challenge Like?

You are now moving into the realms of serious cycling challenges. Cycling days will be up to 10 hours (stops included), or slightly less if the event stretches over several days. You should have very good cycling fitness, with good leg strength, and you should be used to putting in regular training rides most weekends - with some good long rides. Most folks will consider these rides very long, and very challenging. Expect a mixture of length and terrain (think hilly!).

How Fit Do I need to be to join a Level 4.0 ‘Bike Ride’?

To participate in these events you need to be in good cycling fitness. You probably are capable of riding at high speeds for 2 to 2.5 hours, around 23 - 25 km/hr. And you should be used to riding long distances and over hilly terrain. If you do not cycle regularly you must be of very high fitness level - and should think about converting as soon as possible and getting on to a bike - you will need to develop your specific strength and cycling technique. Do not come on these challenges without having spent plenty of time in the saddle. Training rides should be up to 60 or 70 miles, and you should have done a few like this. You should be getting out on your bike most weekends in the run up to your event, seeking out longer climbs to improve your climbing fitness for the event.

Medical Issues

Please note, it is extremely important for this physical challenge that you are in good health. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, please consider carefully whether you should be joining the challenge. Please ensure you fill in the booking form accurately and honestly, this is important. In the case of serious conditions (epilepsy, diabetes, heart conditions, recent illness or operations), please discuss the challenge with your GP. Please also ensure you notify us of any allergies or similar.

It requires stamina and good aerobic fitness - but good willpower will also come in handy! Failure to disclose medical conditions is a serious omission - that could have serious repercussions on any of our challenges.

Included In Trip

Route Planning, Plotting and Risk Assements 

Accomodation (13 nights B+B).

Qualified Cycling Leader(s) 

Support Vehicle and Driver

Mechanical and Medical support

Luggage Transfers

Refreshment stops en route

Pre-event infomation, advice and training guide

Excluded From Trip

Lunches and Evening Meals* 

Bike Transfers* 
Transport to Penzance.
Transport from John O Groats

* Can be costed in as extras if you wish to include these in the package

Equipment Required

Bike Items
Road Bike / Hybrid Bike / Mountain Bike (with Touring Tyres) - please call us for guidance on type of bike on a trip by trip basis
Water Bottles (bladder system/cycle water bottles)
Cycling Gloves, Bike Lock, Neck Scarf
Small Rucksack (or small pannier)
Small Holdall (for overnight gear)
Lamps (front and rear, head torch can be worn)
Under Saddle Pouch (recommended - can be used to carry asterik* items)
Duck Tape (small folded piece off the reel)*
Puncture Repair Kit*
2 x Inner Tubes*
Multi-Tool (with allen keys)*
Oil/Lube*
Pump (suitable for your valve type)
Helmet (compulsory)

Medikit
Suncream, Plasters
Vaseline, Painkillers, Sunbloc

Washkit
Pack Towel (lifesystems recommended), Soap (small bar)
Toothbrush, Toothpaste

Warm Clothing
Medium Weight Fleece, Lightweight Gloves, Fleece Hat

Cycle / Overnight Clothing
Lycra Cycling Shorts, Cotton Shorts
Long Cycling Trousers (Tights/Tracksuit Bottoms)
Cotton T-Shirts for evening
Short Sleeve Cycling T-Shirts (Dryflo type material) or Cycle Top with rear pockets
Cycling Shoes (approach shoes suitable)
Sandals / Spare Shoes for after ride
Underwear
1 Set Casual Evening Wear
1 Pair Cotton Trousers

Waterproof Clothing
1 Outer Fully Waterproof Jacket (gore-tex, e-vent) - comfortable to cycle in
1 Pair Outer Waterproof Bottoms

Other
Camera, Memory Card
Wallet, Credit Card, Cash
Sunglasses, Mobile Phone
Penknife, Snacks for Cycling Days (dried fruits, nuts, flapjacks, cereal bars etc)

Important
Make sure you do not ‘over pack’ - bring only what is essential for the trip

A final kit list will be provided in your ‘Final Joining Instructions’ pre-departure..

Safety Information

By nature all activities contain an element of risk.Your leader will be first aid qualified and will carry the appropriate safety kit for the activity. Safety equipment carried will be appropriate to trip. The leader's primary role is to ensure your safety, but it is your responsibility to listen to their guidance and instructions.

Weather

Being in the UK we should be prepared for anything. Whilst not wishing everyone to bring heaps of equipment we should be prepared for both poor weather and scorching hot weather.
Bring both equipment to protect from hot sun, and also to protect in case it rains. It is unlikely to be cold.

Optional Extras

Bike collection and delivery service, collection from UK location delivery to Penzance before the trip, and back from John O Groats after the trip. 

Lunches (12 days) 

Evening meals  (12 days) 

Single room suplement ( subject to availability of accomodation) 

Notes on Cycling Events

This is our standard range of Cycling Challenges in the UK, Europe and further afield. However, we offer completely tailormade itineraries to your specification. Call us to discuss! Please note that for overseas point to point cycling challenges we can transport soft cases for bike transport - but not hard cases, due to space limitations on board our support vehicles. On all our cycling events, please pack sensibly and bring a reasonably sized soft holdall type bag. To participate in an overseas Adventure Cafe challenge - you must carry Travel Insurance (to be for the activity you are participating in, and to include repatriation to the UK). Please also note that you should have a good level of cycling experience and be competent to handle your bike. We ride on roads shared with other vehicles - and you need to be able to deal with this safely.

Adventure Cafe Booking Terms and Conditions

To Reserve Your Space on this Challenge