Lands End To John O'Groats cycling trip
Description of Lands End To John O'Groats cycling trip
This Lands End to John o'Groats cycling trip is an annual event, led by a very responsible cycling holiday company.
We undertake this thousand mile route that covers the length of Britain in fifteen days of cycling, fully supported with luggage transported for you by our support team, who are also on hand to help with any bike issues. Please note that you use your own bike on this tour and we are happy to arrange to have it delivered and collected at the beginning and end of the tour. Breakfasts and lunches are included in the price of the holiday as is accommodation, of course, staying in small locally owned hotels our guesthouses when possible, but at chain hotels when there is no other option in particular locations. Accommodation is on a twin share basis.
It goes without saying that we cycle through some memorable landscapes on this holiday, especially as we avoid main roads. Some of the highlights include Dartmoor, The Mendips, Wye Valley, The Lake District, Loch Lomond and Scotland’s famous Glencoe. Some of the popular climbs include Cross of Greet, The Lecht, The Forest of Bowland and Glenshee. A good level of fitness and cycling experience is required, but you do not have to be a competitive racer at all. We ride at a pace suitable for the averagely fit and competent cyclist and we have hosted cyclists of all ages on this trip.
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Reviews
2 Reviews of Lands End To John O'Groats cycling trip
Reviewed on 19 Sep 2022 by Tom Hunter
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Arriving in John O' Groats, having cycled all the way from Lands End.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Get plenty of practice cycling up steep hills. The first four days are the hardest. Just keep going and you will get there.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We bought food and drink along the way, so that provided income for local businesses.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good.
Reviewed on 11 Sep 2017 by Rob Nutting
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
There were so many memorable times. The variety and beauty of our wonderful country was a continuing delight. The views and feeling of achievement after climbing the Cross of Greet, The Lecht, The Forest of Bowland, Glenshee and many other hills were unforgettable. In contrast the feeling of freedom freewheeling down from these heights was wonderful. But apart from the actual cycling the camaraderie and mutual support which grew in the group and with our leaders, Nick and Ken, made the challenge so much easier and enjoyable.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure that you have done sufficient training on a bike beforehand. Thinking you are fit because you go to the gym regularly may not be enough. Do not be put off by thinking that the group will be full of "boy racers". It won't be. Don't think you'll be too old - I'm 69.
Make sure your bike has been checked and serviced properly before you start. Fit good tyres to help avoid punctures. Don't take lots of luggage - you won't need it and it doesn't help the support team. Be prepared to eat lots of surgary and carbs foods to keep those energy levels up!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Cycling itself has a small environmental impact, of course. We used local hotels, cafes and restaurants. Some small establishments were delighted to see a group of ten hungry cyclists descend on them.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A fantastic experience. Something every cyclist should aim to do. The support and advice from Nick Mitchell and Ken Woodhouse from Pedal Nation could not be better. They were very professional but also great fun. Perfect.
Responsible Travel
Planet
Cycling has the minimum impact on the environment and is one of the greenest activities you can undertake as well as being a good low impact way of keeping fit. For this UK trip we to reduce carbon emissions we encourage our clients to travel by train to and from the start and finishing points. We limit our group size to 16 as we feel larger groups, especially the huge charity events that do this trip, have too big a disruption and impact on the environmentBy the very nature of our trips - walking, trekking, cycling - our clients are caring about the outdoors and usually very aware of environmental issues so we don't have to try too hard to encourage a sensitive approach. On all our trips though our clients are encouraged not to use plastic bottles of water but to purify and refill bottles and to take away all litter or dispose of it carefully.
People
Throughout the trip we use local suppliers and produce when buying our lunch provisions and choose local hotels and bed and breakfast establishments wherever possible. We support Sustrans, the national cycle path network organisation, and use their routes whenever we can. Nick Mitchell, our cycling operations manager and lead guide is currently working with Sustrans to develop a Lands End to John O'Groats route using only the National Cycling path network. From the time we began, in 1988, we have had agreements in place with our international partners to ensure the proper treatment of local staff, equipment, clothing, insurance, limited carrying loads etc.. We are a long standing members of campaigning organisation Tourism Concern and the IPPG (International Porter's Protection Group) which acts to secure porter's rights. As far as our UK office is concerned we took the decision several years ago to stop producing printed paper brochures, most of which we were aware ended in landfill. Potential clients are now directed to our website for all our information. Any paper we use is recycled or reused where possible. We always turn off electrical equipment overnight.Popular similar holidays
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