I’m planning on riding LEJOG offroad next year, making my own route using a combination of existing routes and local knowledge. I’m currently looking at adding in iconic sections that I shouldn’t miss out on. For example I’m probably going to divert to High Street in the Lakes, I’m riding up High Cup Nick because it’s an amazing place, and I’ll be crossing the Brecon Beacons near Fan y Big. I’ll be travelling reasonably light on a mtb hardtail, I’m happy to do some technical riding and even a bit of pushing (I’ve done the Highland 550 for example) but I’m looking for stuff that’s at the more rideable end of the technical spectrum, or is just a fantastic place to be. If it feels remote then I’m all for it.
My current route goes from Plymouth north through Dartmoor, across Exmoor, the Quantocks, up Cheddar Gorge and the Mendips and then across to Chepstow. I don’t know this area well.
From Chepstow I’m going north to the Brecons, Builith Wells, NE to Knighton and then through Shropshire to pick up the southern end of the Pennine Bridleway. I’ll follow this to Sedbergh or Kirkby Stephen.
Alternatively from Chepstow I’ll go through the Brecon Beacons to North Wales and then eastwards through Chester to pick up the PBW again. Is there anything in mid Wales which would be a shame to miss that would lead me to north Wales?
From Sedbergh I’ll probably go over High Street in the Lakes and the back to the North Pennines, up over High Cup Nick and then just generally north, probably following the Cycling UK Great North Trail to John O Groats, maybe Cape Wrath. I’ve done various bits in Scotland over the years but I’m not sure which bits I should be heading for.
Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks.
