{"id":1800,"date":"2022-12-17T12:50:02","date_gmt":"2022-12-17T12:50:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/?page_id=1800"},"modified":"2026-01-01T13:49:04","modified_gmt":"2026-01-01T13:49:04","slug":"lejog-part-1","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/lejog-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"LEJOG 2012 \u2013 Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Land’s End to Liverpool<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LEJOG \u2013 Preparation<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

LEJOG \u2013 Getting to Penzance<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

LEJOG Part 2 \u2013 Liverpool to Edinburgh<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

LEJOG Part 3 \u2013 Edinburgh to John O’Groats<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

LEJOG \u2013 Video Clips<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A trip to The Orkneys<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We woke to a damp and misty morning and after breakfast got ready for our first day’s riding \u2013 out to Land’s End and back. We had booked the room in our Penzance B&B for a couple of nights as we’d be coming back this way and it meant we could leave the bulk of our stuff in the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strava for Day 1 \u2013 5th June 2012<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mousehole harbour. The climb out was pretty stiff but once we were away from the sea, the undulations were less severe.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n
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It drizzled almost all day while we were out. Full waterproofs but we still got soaked \u2013 so did my phone, which was in a supposedly waterproof breast pocket. After its soaking the backlight packed up, making it pretty difficult to read any time the sun came out. It turned out we wouldn’t see nearly as much of it as we would have liked during the rest of our LEJOG.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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At Land’s End. Couldn’t see the sign from more than a few yards away and had to ask directions for it even though we were only a few dozen yards away from it. Somewhere behind us is open sea.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Karon signing the LEJOG book at Land’s End. After this we went into the restaurant for some lunch and took it in turns to disappear into the loos to change into dry clothes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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By the time we got back to Mousehole the weather had cleared a little and we were early enough to stop and do some more sketching.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n
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Bob’s sketch at Mousehole…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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…and Karon’s.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n
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I forget the names of these three but they were on a 6 month tour around the coast of the mainland. Camping too!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Next day was ok. We delayed our start from Penzance by calling in to a computer place where I thought I might get a repair for my iPhone. No such luck, but they did back it all up to the cloud for me. To kill the time while they did that, we sat and had a coffee then went in search of some 100% waterproof tops after the rather poor performance of our expensive Endura jackets.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Strava for Day 2 \u2013 6th June 2012<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Penzance we headed for another two night stay at Gweek. This allowed us to ride out to the Lizzard and again leave most of our luggage at the B&B. It may not have been wet, but boy was it windy! It was hard and slow going to get out to the Lizzard. Karon had a job standing by the sign and had to hang on to the bike to stop that toppling. The upside was a lightning ride back to Gweek with cruising speeds of over 20mph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strava for Day 3 \u2013 7th June 2012<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Lizzard.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Strava for Day 4 \u2013 8th June 2012<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Gweek we headed for Truro then cut across Cornwall towards the north coast, stopping overnight at St. Newlyn East. Spent the evening in the Pheasant Pub which had a great atmosphere. Onwards for the Camel Trail, through Wadebridge and to a B&B near Blisland. I had picked this place as I wanted to sample at least a couple of the 14 ales on tap at the Blisland Inn. The place was packed but we managed to squeeze in and get a table for some food along with the beer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Blisland Inn. An evening here was an absolute necessity!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Strava for Day 5 \u2013 9th June 2012<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Waterproof trousers off after getting warmed up climbing onto Bodmin moor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Strava for Day 6 \u2013 10th June 2012<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The climb up onto Bodmin moor was hard but once up there, it wasn’t too bad and though damp, the rain held off. By the time we had crossed the moor we were both desperate for some lunch and just when we needed it, a pub came into view. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That night was spent at Forda Farm B&B near Holsworthy. Being on a farm, out in the sticks, there were no nearby food outlets \u2013 the farmer’s wife offered to give us a lift into Holsworthy, but we had some sandwiches that we hadn’t eaten at lunchtime and there was a bottle of bubbly in our rooms, so we were fine.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Karon’s little farm doorway \u2013 Forda Farm.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

From Ford Farm we headed for the Tarka Trail, deviating to stop for lunch in a pub \u2013 converted stables \u2013 in the village of Merton. Once back on the Tarka Trail it was easy riding all the way to Yelland and our next overnight stop. At breakfast we got chatting to another guest \u2013 a Rabbi who was also riding LEJOG as part of relay team of eight. Retrieving the bike from inside a barn I discovered a hole in the seat pocket where I had left some uneaten cake. Despite being wrapped a mouse had obviously decided to make it an overnight snack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strava for Day 7 \u2013 11th June 2012<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Yelland we were briefly back on the Tarka Trail into Barnstable then headed for Exebridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strava for Day 8 \u2013 12th June 2012<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By jove Devon was lumpy! After a night at Exebridge in the Anchor Inn, the first hill away from our pub B&B was a killer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Devonshire hills. Relentless! This was near the top of the first climb of the day after our stay in Exebridge. Karon has reduced lung capacity which means she finds it difficult walking up any incline. Sometimes she can stay seated and pedal while I steady the bike and push, but this was even too steep for that.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Strava for Day 9 \u2013 13th June 2012<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On then, to a nice farmhouse at Creech St. Michael near Taunton, after which we hit the Somerset levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lower Farm B&B doorway in Creech St. Michael.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Strava for Day 10 \u2013 14th June 2012<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the hills of Cornwall and Devon firmly behind us things got a little easier across the Somerset levels as we made our way northwards. Making use of canal towpaths for the first time presented a new problem \u2013 gates! Often the wider gate was locked and a kissing gate was the only access. It meant taking the bags off and upending the bike to squeeze through. Not ideal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A problem we would encounter far too many times on our LEJOG \u2013 Maybe fine for a solo but tight for a tandem \u2013 National Cycle Routes should have better accessibility.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Near Weston Super Mare we were met by a couple of Tandem Club members who had offered a room for the night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strava for Day 11 \u2013 15th June 2012<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our friends guided us out of Weston Supermare and we parted company when we rejoined the Strawberry Line. Around lunchtime we crossed the Avonmouth Bridge, found a pub for lunch in Avonmouth then carried on, stopping overnight near Thornbury. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strava for Day 12 \u2013 16th June 2012<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Gloucester we had to take refuge in a fast-food place as the heavens opened and dumped a huge amount of water in a pretty short time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hiding from the downpour in Gloucester.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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More gates, more problems \u2013 on another National Cycle Route!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With all the rain, the Severn was pretty high as we followed it along quiet country lanes to its east as far as Tewksbury where we stopped overnight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strava for Day 13 \u2013 17th June 2012<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On again, heading for Stourport-on-Severn where we picked up the Worcester and Stour Canal as fas as Kidderminster and our next stop. The hotel restaurant being closed we took a walk into the town (further than we thought it would be) but found a great Balti place to eat and celebrate my birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The canal at Kidderminster.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Strava for Day 14 \u2013 18th June 2012<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our route from Kidderminster to Ironbridge took us through Bridgnorth \u2013 perfect for a coffee stop, but the climb from the river up to the High Street had us pushing. Once up there, the Pino came in for a lot of attention and resulting questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ironbridge and another overnight stop.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n
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At Ironbridge we had time and it was dry enough to sketch, but just to keep up what was fast becoming the norm, it did rain in the evening. Next morning was ok again and Karon found a lovely pie shop so we bought a packed lunch for later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Karon in Bonnies of Ironbridge stocking up with lunch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Strava for Day 15 \u2013 19th June 2012<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Above the River Severn after leaving Ironbridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our route out of Ironbridge took us between Telford and Shrewsbury then on through Wem. At Moreton Corbet the ruins of the castle<\/a> provided the perfect backdrop for a picnic of pies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Moreton Corbet Castle<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Strava for Day 16 \u2013 20th June 2012<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a night in Whitchurch we passed through Chester alongside the canal then a cyclepath along a disused rail line took us to the base of the Wirral. On the Wirral we detoured to take in a coffee stop at the Eureka Caf\u00e9, a bit of a Mecca for cyclists but sadly no longer in business. Typically, our hotel was on the highest point of the whole spit of land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strava for Day 17 \u2013 21st June 2012<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Leaving the Wirral to cross the Mersey for Liverpool. Oh, look! it’s raining AGAIN!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In Liverpool we had booked a couple of nights as I planned a day off to take ‘The magical Mystery Tour’. Shirley, our B&B landlady obviously took pity on the drowned rats that came knocking on her door, for she took all our soggy cycling gear (all that we had), and said she’d wash and iron it all! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

22nd June \u2013 The tour the following day was great fun. The MC on the coach knew his stuff and was very funny as he recounted stories about the fab four. We took in the houses of George, Paul and John, the gates at Strawberry Fields and eventually ended up at the (relocated) Cavern for a drink. After the tour we headed for the port area, took a ride in a big wheel and found the Apple shop where I bought a new phone, downloaded the back-up onto it then sold the old one in a second-hand shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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All aboard for The Magical Mystery Tour!<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Karon in the Cavern. Due to urban development, the whole place was dismantled and reconstructed at 90\u00b0 to the original site.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Later we went up in a big wheel for views over the port. Probably not the best of days for it with strong gusts rocking the thing!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

LEJOG \u2013 Preparation<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

LEJOG \u2013 Getting to Penzance<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

LEJOG Part 2 \u2013 Liverpool to Edinburgh<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

LEJOG Part 3 \u2013 Edinburgh to John O’Groats<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

LEJOG \u2013 Video Clips<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A trip to The Orkneys<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Land’s End to Liverpool LEJOG \u2013 Preparation LEJOG \u2013 Getting to Penzance LEJOG Part 2 \u2013 Liverpool to Edinburgh LEJOG Part 3 \u2013 Edinburgh to John O’Groats LEJOG \u2013 Video Clips A trip to The Orkneys We woke to a damp and misty morning and after breakfast got ready for our first day’s riding \u2013 … <\/p>\n

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