Possible John O'Groats to Land's End hike using motorhome

PaulW2

PaulW2

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I am in the early stages of thinking about a J O'G to Land's End hike (or potentially in the opposite direction). I would ideally (Plan A) want to take the motorhome, park at a suitable campsite or spot, do the day's hike and then get a taxi back to the van. Multiply this by about 50 and the trip will hopefully be completed in relative comfort (though at some cost).

The alternative to using taxis would be (Plan B) to drive ahead with the van, offload and secure the scooter, then drive the van back to the starting point, then hiking to the scooter, riding the scooter back to the van... Again, multiply by 50 or so and the trip should be completed.

So here are the questions... Has anyone done this? Are there enough suitable camping spots en route for such a plan to work? Am I likely to find sufficient coverage from accommodating taxi drivers to enable Plan A for all most of the route? I would ideally like to not just walk along the roads but would prefer to follow some of the main hiking trails. However, if there is to be a trade off between using the van versus following the scenic route then I will almost certainly choose the option that entails using the van.

Any thoughts/insights/tales of innocence and experience would be gratefully received.

Thanks
Paul
 
My first thought (as a sailor) is to start at Lands End when you're more likely to have the wind behind you;) Especially since the first 150 (?) miles would most likely be on the South West Coastal path or across exposed Dartmoor/Exmoor.

As far as Plan B goes I'd aim wherever possible to park the moho at the end of the day's walk and ride the scooter back your starting point. That way, when you arrive knackered and soaked at the end of the walk you'll be at the moho and can get dry, change, and chill out with a brew before driving back (20 miles?) cosy in shorts and Tee shirt to collect the scoot. The only doubtful bit is how often you could park the moho within reasonable walking distance of your start point.
 
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Spriddler said:
My first thought (as a sailor) is to start at Lands End when you're more likely to have the wind behind you;)

As far as Plan B goes I'd aim wherever possible to park the moho at the end of the day's walk and ride the scooter back your starting point. That way, when you arrive knackered and soaked at the end of the walk you'll be at the moho and can get dry, change, and chill out with a brew before driving back cosy in shorts and Tee shirt to collect the scoot. The only doubtful bit is how often you could park the moho within reasonable walking distance of your start point.
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Good points, thanks. I guess one would also have the sun mainly behind one, assuming a spring/summer journey the temperature will be more constant as one goes north, and one would have a relatively flatter start by starting in Cornwall... Good idea about reversing that starting positions of the van and the scooter.
 
Yes, I've done a couple of walks like that, although not over such a great overall distance. It's no fun as you arrive at the end to have to get on the 'bike (motorbike in my case) and drive back. With the moho at the finish you have more choice of when to go and collect it (E.G. when the rain stops/after a meal at the pub/when your socks have dried out/plasters applied to the blisters etc.). There are often pubs on traditional walking routes, geared up for long distance walkers and cyclists where you could park the moho (see 'Britstops') and when Oop North a bit the canal towpaths are pleasant and easy routes. I believe you can stop at Youth Hostels too when travelling in a vehicle............:unsure:
 
Thanks. Thinking about it, two possible approaches. (I will walk with my wife.) Could either have someone who is along for the ride and brings the van to useevery day, or could have someone, or a couple, who alternate with us. The couples then have alernate days "off". Mind you, option 2 will take twice as long!
 
Yeah, it's seems like a awful lot of bother getting back to the MoHo after each leg.
I'd either get a driver or do it with a tent and odd bed and breakfasts places.
 
Overnight at point A in the motorhome.
Leave the scooter securely at A while you drive MH to point B.
Hike back to A.
Drive scooter to B.
Overnight at B.
Leave scooter at B while you drive MH to C.
Hike to B.
Drive scooter to C.

And repeat .....
 
Linda and Steph said:
Overnight at point A in the motorhome.
Leave the scooter securely at A while you drive MH to point B.
Hike back to A.
Drive scooter to B.
Overnight at B.
Leave scooter at B while you drive MH to C.
Hike to B.
Drive scooter to C.
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Brain hurt now !
I'd end up with a lost scooter, or motorhome
 
I can't think of a more boring way to do LEJOG. :) Whichever way you do it you are going to see each mile three times if you use taxis and five times if you use a scooter!
My suggestion would be to forget walking unless you can get someone to act as a driver for you and buy a couple of bicycles. :) The most interesting cycling route, avoiding wherever possible the horrible main roads, is described by a bloke called Royston Wood. Other cycling routes are published by SUSTRANS.
You could do it your way but don't expect taxis to be available when you want them. In the remoter spots you could be waiting for over an hour for one to turn up - if you can get one at all. Go for it if you are determined but I think you would want to drive the route first and identify all the halts and amend the route where necessary.
Good luck!
 
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Why not watch a video of the route, whilst running on a treadmill in the Gym. You could do it outdoors if you like the realism of bad weather. Still stay in your motorhome each night if you wish. Problem solved :)
 
DBK said:
The most interesting cycling route......
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Cycle from JOG to LE. 'cos on my map it's all downhill.

(Grabs helmet, Lycra, Lucozade............ )
:whistle:

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DBK said:
I can't think of a more boring way to do LEJOG. :) Whichever way you do it you are going to see each mile three times if you use taxis and five times if you use a scooter
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Yes, 5 times is quite a lot... Walking 1,000 miles would then entail 4,000 miles of driving. Thinking about a daily 20 miles, the walk may take say 6 or 7 hours, the actual driving (80 miles) maybe another 2 or 3 and the associated admin (loading, offloading, negotiating with sites) maybe a further hour. Not necessarily a model of agility and efficiency!
 
I live on the A9 just by Alness on Cromarty Firth.

People here get mighty pissed off with LeJog cyclists, last week whilst coming back from Inverness down the Cromarty Brae, there was cyclist on one of those lying down type bikes and two cyclists behind him as protection.. following these 3 were (and yes I counted them) 54 vehicles climbing the Brae at what, 5mph ? and no chance of overtaking for the next mile or so. What gets me is none of these idiots uses a cycle path where they are available....at least around our area.

Year before last we had a girl pushing a hospital bed ......
 
Mwollaston said:
Hi. My wife and I did something similar in 2015. Holiday of a lifetime! With careful planning we were able to socialise with locals every night in the towns we passed.
Happy to engage in a chat about it. M
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Look at the dates.
 
Why not walk it? Carry your kit, Why walk it then return to pick up M/Home. you are travelling twice the distance.

Walk all the way using thr Coastal path, or just to limber up, practice for next year, walk from Minehead to Lands End on the South West Coastal path.. Carry what you need on your back, refill every day from local shops , leave the M/H BEHIND.
 
as Linda and Steph said, start by leaving scooter parked at start point then drive MH to next point and park it, walk back to start point, jump on scooter and drive to MH for a nice meal and a rest. 1 trip in MH, 1 Walk and 1 trip on Scooter per day and the scooter trip at the end of each day should help to blow away the sweaty smell before you go back into your MH
 
Mwollaston said:
Each to their own, but this is a thread started by someone who wanted to do it, so is it really necessary to troll it with your negative opinions?
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Yes. This place is called FUN.

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Mwollaston said:
Great if you get your kicks by slagging off other people from the safety of your PC, but really it's just rude, not fun, to troll people who are trying to have a conversation about something that interests them. Have a nice day :)
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hilldweller has been here 10 years, not 10 minutes like you. Sometimes I find him near the bone, mostly hilarious, always FUN
I will let you know in 1000 posts how you are doing?
 
Mwolla said:
No thanks.... I'm sure there's lots of good stuff on the site, but I can get amateur comedians down at my local.... and they don't have that "I'm better than you cos I've been here longer" attitude.

Glad to have met you both. That was a night of passion I won't forget in a hurry! FUN FUN FUN! ;)
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QED
4 more free ones to come ?
 
Can someone explain what happened to the posts from Mwollaston quoted above?

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