Join us on this iconic 10 day cycle event as we take on this awesome challenge cycling end to end across Britain. Experience, some of the most rewarding cycling routes in the UK, encompassing spectacular countryside, and then celebrate your achievement as you tick this adventure off your list. If you are in need of further persuasion, just think of the bragging rights!
Dates and Prices
Date of Event
9-18 Sep 2024
Duration
11 Days (10 cycling)
Difficulty Rating
7/8 (click here for details)
Registration Fee
£300
Support Fee
£1000*
Accommodation Fee
£700**
*This amount is payable in addition to the registration and accommodation fees above.
**The accommodation cost includes B&B for 10 nights on a twin share basis, picked in proximity to our route and is provided by our partner company, Travel Counsellors Ltd.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Land’s End to Okehampton
Approximate cycling distance 172km (107 miles) – Elevation 2596m
We will be making an early start from the famous signpost at Land’s End, the most south westerly point on the English mainland. The first day is the toughest of the whole ride as we take on the many climbs Cornwall has to offer. You can catch your breath taking in the views of the impressive coastline and St Michael’s mount as we head north eastwards to Okehampton.
Day 2 – Okehampton to Midsomer Norton
Approximate cycling distance 161km (100 miles) – Elevation 2001m
After a good night’s rest, we continue north eastwards, skirting the edge of Dartmoor and crossing the Quantock Hills. This is another tough day with more hills but on a clear day this is also truly a spectacular section.
Day 3 – Midsomer Norton to Ludlow
Approximate cycling distance 177km (110 miles) – Elevation 2192m
Today’s the day we cross the Bristol Channel on the Severn Bridge…yes, there is a bike lane! Heading northwards we pass Chepstow Castle and ride along the scenic Wye Valley to Monmouth. There are a few more hills prior to Hereford before the route begins to flatten out as we approach our stop for the evening in Ludlow.
Day 4 – Ludlow to Haydock
Approximate cycling distance 178km (111 miles) – Elevation 1125m
After a hearty breakfast we take a beautifully scenic undulating road to Shrewsbury and its black and white buildings, before continuing northwards into Cheshire and its relatively flat lanes. You can certainly make some time up as we cross Cheshire towards the Manchester/Liverpool border and our stop for the night in Haydock.
Day 5 – Haydock to Penrith
Approximate cycling distance 164km (102 miles) – Elevation 1586m
We continue northwards towards the Lake District, passing through Wigan and Preston and admiring the impressive Pennines to our right and the sight of Blackpool Tower to our left. The big climb of the day is Shap Fell, a nice and steady ascent compared with what we faced on days 1 and 2. Our halfway stop is in Penrith, where we can enjoy our successful ride to date and look forward to what is to come over the next 5 days.
Day 6 – Penrith to Abington
Approximate cycling distance 126km (78 miles) – Elevation 1047m
A relative short day in the saddle as we leave England and cross the border into Scotland. Once past Gretna, the route flattens out giving us ample time to stretch our legs before the next 4 days.
Day 7 – Abington to Perth
Approximate cycling distance 132km (82 miles) – Elevation 1271m
After a good night’s rest, we head off towards Edinburgh, up and over the Lowther Hills through some wild and stunning scenery and alongside the River Tweed. It’s a lovely ride through Edinburgh and so much to see before we cross the Forth Road Bridge and onto Perth.
Day 8 – Perth to Grantown -on-Spey
Approximate cycling distance 153km (95 miles) – Elevation 2277m
After 2 relatively easier days, today is another tough one, with a number of difficult climbs to conquer. After crossing the River Tay, the route takes you to Glen Shee where a sizeable climb up the ski resorts is followed by a long descent to Braemar. A further tough climb at Lecht provides you with a great challenge – its what LEJOG is all about!
Day 9 – Grantown-on-Spey to Lairg
Approximate cycling distance 1140km (87 miles) – Elevation 1502m
We continue our journey through Inverness, capital of the Highlands and then along the Beauly Firth to the Muir of Ord and Dingwall. Onwards we peddle through gorgeous scenery and into the county of Sutherland in the remote north before bedding down for our penultimate night in Lairg.
Day 10 – Lairg to John O’Groats
Approximate cycling distance 154km (96 miles) – Elevation 1450m
The long awaited final day as we head out from our hotel along the remote undulating roads that this part of Scotland has to offer. There’s still a good way to go and another couple of nice long climbs before we reach the North Atlantic Coast but once we see the coastline, we spend the afternoon riding alongside it towards John O’Groats. The champagne corks will be popping as you reach your destination. What a fantastic sense of achievement you’ll have after 10 days, 968 miles and over 17,000 metres of climbing!
Day 11 – Departure Day
After our celebration dinner the night before and a few more celebration drinks, we re-live the memories of the ride with our cycling friends and crew over a hearty Scottish breakfast. It’s then time to pack your bags and leave for home. We will transport you all to Inverness for your onward journeys and if required, your bikes will be safely transported back to the Manchester/Cheshire area by the Chapeau Events crew.
What’s Included?
• Full bike transport to the event start (if required)
• 10 nights Bed & Breakfast accommodation on a twin sharing basis during the event as provided by our partners, Travel Counsellors
• Assistance with bikes/baggage from Penzance on the morning of the event start (if required)
• Complete transport of luggage between hotels during the ride
• Full trip support including mechanic, first aid, driver and full route support
• Water stops each ride day
• Celebration Dinner
What’s Excluded?
• Personal transport to route start and from Inverness the morning after the event finishes.
• Lunches and evening meals
• A bicycle and cycling equipment.
• Personal travel insurance
• Drinks, personal items or entry to any optional tourist sites you may wish to visit.
• Remember to allow extra for drinks, snacks, souvenirs and other personal expenses.
• We strongly recommend you carry a credit card in case of personal emergency.
What can I expect from your accommodation?
Accommodation is bed and breakfast in 2/3* hotels, picked for their proximity to our route and provided by our partner Travel Counsellors. All the hotels are chosen with en-suite facilities, offering exceptional value for money; standards however may vary between the hotels. The accommodation price as listed above is based on two people sharing a room. If you are travelling on your own don’t worry, Travel Counsellors will pair you up with somebody in a similar position. You can also opt for a single room, but this will incur a supplementary charge (£500 for 10 nights).
What food is included and does it cater for all diets?
Breakfast will be provided at hotels or nearby restaurants. There will also be two designated water stops available on each ride day too, which will give you the opportunity to refill your water bottles and get access to snacks. In addition, you are welcome to bring your own individual snacks, which the Crew will hold on to and make available at each stop on your behalf.
What’s unique about Chapeau…why should I choose you?
Our events are tailored to you…our team have physically driven and assessed every mile of the route to ensure the safest and best possible route for your challenge, so rest assured you are in the safest hands. All our routes are specifically tailored with you in mind.
How fit do I need to be?
Chapeau events attract people of all levels of experience and fitness, all ages and backgrounds. We expect all participants to train hard in advance to achieve this challenge, but we respect everyone’s limits. You will be in the saddle for upward of 100 miles a day for 10 consecutive days, so you should ensure, as a minimum that you are comfortable riding a 80-100 mile day and have achieved this regularly before you leave for the trip. The profile will contain lots of hills, so please include lots of hilly rides in your training. This event has a difficulty rating of 7 out of 8, which Chapeau rate as Tough – long tough sections testing your ultimate fitness and stamina. You will need confidence in your fitness and technical ability is crucial for this event. We design our challenges so that everyone can go at their own pace; this is not a race. For further information regarding how we rate our challenges click here
Who will be there to support me during the event?
Your trip will be led by experienced Chapeau Events crew. Our crew are selected for their experience in cycling events around the world, their friendliness and approachability, sense of humour and ability to safely and effectively deal with any situation that arises. Our crew leaders are also trained in outdoor first aid. You are in very safe hands with the Chapeau Events crew.
The number of crew and support vehicles looking after you will depend on the final size of your group, but the team will be looking after every aspect of your trip whether that’s transporting your luggage, sorting out any mechanical problems or giving you a lift in our back vehicle – our “Love bus”. At Chapeau Events we pride ourselves on our high crew: cyclist ratio and believe it leads to greater trip enjoyment as well as excellent trip safety.
Will I be safe?
Your safety, and that of the rest of the group, is our highest priority. Our trips are designed and planned with safety in mind. Your crew will be equipped with emergency mobile phones, first-aid kits and other safety apparatus where necessary. They always have access to our 24-hour emergency back-up in the UK. Our leaders are responsible for safety on the trip, and will make any changes to the itinerary they deem necessary should local conditions dictate.
What happens to my luggage each day?
Our support vehicles are with the group all of the time. All luggage and spares will be carried in them as we travel to each destination. On reaching our hotels, at the end of each day, you will hand over your bike for safe overnight keeping and collect your luggage. Each morning, you will hand over your luggage and collect your bike. Obviously space is limited and hard-sided luggage is not suitable, so it is essential that your kit is packed in a soft sailing bag, rucksack or expedition kitbag.
What insurance will I require?
Insurance on this UK based trip is optional.
Is travel to the start of the route in Land’s End included?
No…you are responsible for your own travel arrangements to the start of the event and from Inverness at the end of the event.
Will I receive further information?
Yes…a full detailed information pack will be issued following signed registration.