JOGLE route first draft

Okay, this draft has already gone through some initial changes but here’s what I’ve got first off…

 

1. NOV 15^th John O’ Groats to Lybster 30 miles pretty much on the A99
   
2. 16^th Lybster to Brora 33 miles A99 then A9
   
3. 17^th Brora to Invergordon 35 miles A9 all the way
4. 18^th Invergordon to Inverness 24 miles A9 all the way
   
5. 19^th Inverness to Aviemore 30 miles A9 all the way
   
6. 20^th Aviemore to Dalwhinnie 31 miles A9 all the way
   
7. 21^st Dalwhinnie to Pitlochry 30 miles A9 all the way
   
8. 22^nd Pitlochry to Perth 28 miles A9 all the way
9. 23^rd Perth to Queensferry 35 miles A912 then B996, B917, B981
10. 24^th Queensferry to Carnwath 29 miles push on to the A70, straight down
11. 25^th Carnwath to Elvanfoot 27 miles B7016 then A702
12. 26^th Elvanfoot to Lockerbie 29 miles B7076 all the way
13. 27^th Lockerbie to Carlisle 25 miles – SCOTLAND DONE – B7076 all the way until Gretna then trail
14. 28^th Carlisle to Hackthorpe 25 miles A6 all the way, maybe path
15. 29^th Hackthorpe to Heversham 33 miles A6 all the way
16. 30^th Heversham to Garstang 25 miles A6 all the way
17. DEC 1^st Garstang to Wigan 30 miles A6 then A49 all the way into the centre
18. 2^nd Wigan to Northwich 28 miles Different minor roads all the way
19. 3^rd Northwich to Market Drayton 32 miles A533, B5074 to A529 all the way
20. 4^th Market Drayton to Church Stretton 34 miles A53 to Shrewsbury then A49
    
21. 5^th Church Stretton to Leominster 28 miles A49 all the way
22. 6^th Leominster to Ross on Wye 31 miles A49 to B224 all the way
23. 7^th Ross on Wye to Chepstow 27 miles Succession of smaller roads
24. 8^th Chepstow to Worle 32 miles Over the bridge then small roads
25. 9^th Worle to Taunton 30 miles A370 to A38 all the way
26. 10^th Taunton to Crediton 33 miles A38 to Tiverton, A3072 all the way
27. 11^th Crediton to Lewdown 30 miles A30 then small roads
28. 12^th Lewdown to Bodmin 32 miles A30 all the way
29. 13^th Bodmin to Redruth 33 miles A30 all the way
30. 14^th Redruth to Land’s End 29 miles A30 then coastal path

 

That’s the initial thoughts and even that took a few days to get kind of right.

On the front page of this blog you’ll see 925 miles in 30 days, the above tallies up to just below that. But until I upload the GPS data at the end of the trip I won’t know exactly for sure. 925 pre-trek seems to be about right but may be 900 miles or slightly over 925. I can only find out when it’s done!

Some place I’ve chosen, like Worle because I have family there and it’ll be a nice bed down before the final week. Elvanfoot… well, who wouldn’t want to stay in a place named Elvanfoot. Of course, this route will go through many drafts before it’s final but I’m liking this one so far.

 

No West Highland Way or Great Glen Way?

That is the obvious choice when arriving at Inverness but to be honest, I’ve already done them and I live in Fort William. Thus, If I walk by my house or get close to it in the first week of trekking then chances are I may throw in the towel, so I’m completely bypassing the great ways and going the Cairngorm A9 route.

Only hindsight will prove me right or wrong.

 

Mostly tarmac walking it seems?

That could be the major factor in all of this. I’ll be following mainly smaller roads where possible or paved routes hopefully with some trails to mix it up a bit. Shoe/boot choice is going to a major decision in all of this depending on what the final route is. Now I need to go through each day with a fine toothpick and work out accommodation potential and actual routes.

There’s a few big days on there so I’m sure we’ll see some changes yet!

 

Walking John O’ Groats to Land’s End in Winter 2014

The first question that came about was LEJOG or JOGLE? Starting at Land’s End or finishing in Land’s End? For me it was a no-brainer.

I live in Fort William (not born and bred) and so it makes sense for me to start at John O’ Groats and poetically finish… at the ‘End’.

Most who do LEJOG seem to want to build up fitness before facing the rugged terrain of the Highlands, but that’s just a good training ground for me. Fitness in the hills is never going to be the problem, it’s the 3o days of 30 plus miles a day that will be the challenge amongst others.

The issue I’m already having is the route, especially a route designed to maximise speed, mileage, and safety. Not even the mighty Google is coming up trumps for me on this occasion. I will keep plotting and planning regardless.

Let me just clarify that this is walking from John O’ Groats to Land’s End in 30 days, not cycling.

Why Winter 2014 – isn’t that going to be a bit, well – shit?

I work in the tourist industry in the summer and the Winter is the only time of year when I can take extended leave and get out there to explore. I wouldn’t say I’m used to Winter weather. I certainly don’t enjoy it, but it is bearable and with the right clothing/equipment – enjoyable to an extent.

Why Solo and why unsupported?

The two kind of go hand in hand, if you’re travelling with someone then you can kind of support each other. I would have liked to trekked with my brother but he is off to Australia a few weeks before I begin, I’m sure I’ll wish I was there every morning before the next day’s hike! We did Everest base camp last Winter and his company will be sorely missed. Yet, nothing like being in your own world for something like this.

As of 16th August 2014, what do you have planned?

A rough idea of a route and a list of what I need to take – trust me, there’s lots to do. I thought I was good at planning an itinerary but this is is something else! Yet, I know I will begin on the 15th November 2014 and it is in my head so whatever happens between now and then – I will be doing this!

What in the world does Yolo mean?

You Only Live Once!

August 2014 – 3 months before the start date