One man and a bicycle go for ride (aka Andy's 2023 LeJoG Adventure) Introduction

About? 

This Blog has been written for myself, as a record I can return to in future year's to remind myself of the mini adventure I completed in 2023.  It's more than a travel diary, it try's to capture the emotions, experiences and my reflections.  If others enjoy it or are inspired to take on their own adventures, then that will be a bonus.  It also fills a gap for my family and friends who live outside the world of Facebook and who were not able to follow my daily updates.  

As I write this blog, a couple of weeks after completing the journey it is easy to make it seem like setting off and completing the trip was a formality.  The reality was that I only made the final commitment two weeks before I set off after limited training and a maximum distance fully loaded training ride of 60 miles.  

What?

A fourteen day, 1050 mile, unsupported bicycle journey, travelling from Lands End to John O Groats.  There's no official route to follow and literally tens of thousands of people have completed the journey ahead of me.  I chose to base my route on the one created by Richard Barrett for Cicerone Press https://www.cicerone.co.uk/an-intro-to-the-lejog which follows canal tow paths, quiet country roads, former railway lines and elements of the National Cycle Network.  

Why?

I did this as a good friend said "to rage against the dying of the light".  I have no plans to do the final 'grand depart' anytime soon, however my lifestyle of work dinners, good food and all round good living makes it very easy to slide into physical complacency.  I like to set myself a challenge most year's and as I squeezed into my dinner jacket in November 2022 for one more black tie dinner the idea to do 'Le-Jog' in 2023 began to take shape.  

Cycle touring is something that captures my imagination.  The freedom of the open road, being self propelled and self-sufficient, riding to meet the horizon day after day and exploring new places at a pace that allows you to see and soak up the views.


Finally, the trip served as a small tribute to my late wife Dora.  The scheduled completion date fell 3 days before the 17th anniversary of Dora’s death with donations invited to the Dora Beeforth Memorial Fund at Cumbria Community Foundation (which supports young people from low income families to undertake their own adventures). https://cumbriafoundation.enthuse.com/cf/lands-end-to-john-o-groats-cycle-challenge   I hope you enjoy this and linked blog posts. Andy 

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