Michael Browne completes LEJOG!!!

22 July 2022

Michael Browne, long distance audaxer extraordinaire, has completed yet another epic ride. Earlier this summer he completed Lands End to John O'Groats - here's his ride report.

Congratulations also go to Dave Spencer from ERC who also completed the ride

LEJOG 2022

One more ride completed from my bucket list. I signed up to enter Lands’ End to John O’Groats as an Audax event over three years ago before Covid struck. Clearly with the restrictions around Covid it was not possible for it to take place and even this year there was the possibility it would be put back another year. The route and overnight controls were only finalised two weeks before the start. The event was over five days with basic overnight controls being mainly in Scout Huts, sleeping on air beds. The five days consisted of: -

Sunday 3rd July 2022

Lands’ End to Oakhill, Somerset 308.1km +4,260m (Climbing)

Monday 4th July 2022

Oakhill, Somerset to Abram, Greater Manchester 305.7km +2,743m (Climbing)

Tuesday 5th July 2022

Abram, Grater Manchester to Clarkston Renfrewshire 330.7km +2,777m (Climbing)

Wednesday 6th July 2022

Clarkston Renfrewshire to Kirkhill, Highland 277.5km +2,652m (Climbing)

Thursday 7th July 2022

Kirkhill, Highland to John O’ Groats 192.6km +1,784m (Climbing)

About 65 people lined up at Lands’ End and 50 people completed the ride. Day 1 was the hardest day with the largest amount of climbing including across Dartmoor. We did not get any flat roads until we reached the Somerset Levels. The longest day was day 3, when I started at 6:30am and did not reach the overnight control until 5:00am the following morning. I started the following day at 9:00am, so not much sleep. We had dry weather, sunny intervals, until we reached Abington when there were several heavy showers. The wind was from the west and was only of benefit on the first and last days. We had the worst conditions cycling along Loch Lomond when we had heavy rain, a strong headwind and constant traffic. Lack of sleep was a problem and resulted in a couple of by the road naps. The last 16 miles from Wick to John O’Groats was into a strong headwind and seemed to be the longest 16 miles I had ridden. Had a great sense of satisfaction at the end regardless of the various aches and pains. If doing it again I would recommend doing it over more days. Too much was done during the hours of darkness. I now have a few weeks recovery until I ride London – Edinburgh – London.