Land's End to John O'Groats with Sean Conway
Saturday 7th September to Saturday 14th September 2024
Key Features
- 7 nights | 8 days
- Hotels on half board basis
- Breakfasts, evening meals, snacks and energy products
- Fully supported tour with experienced guides
- Daily luggage transport from hotel to hotel
- Ride LEJOG in 7 days
- Ride with Mr LEJOG Sean Conway
- Support Vehicle throughout
- Starts at Land's End on Sat 7 September
- Finish at John O'Groats on Sat 14 September
- Spread your payments - Interest free payment plan
- Planned route, GPX files, mechanical support
Land's End to John O'Groats with Sean Conway
Join us for the first edition of this Land’s End to John O’Groats Challenge. Organised by Sportive Breaks and adventurer Sean Conway, 16 riders will have the opportunity in September 2024 to take on this fully supported cycling challenge. A proper challenge as Sean calls it, this is an extremely difficult tour averaging 200 kilometres/ 125 miles per day.
We understand the support that will be required to achieve this challenge. On the road, you will have the support of mobile professional mechanics, ride captains and food and support stations.
What's Included?
Accommodation
7 nights in 3* and 4* hotels
Included Meals
All breakfast & dinners
Guided Rides
7 riding days with ride guides
Support Vehicle
All rides supported with support vehicle. Daily luggage transport.
Mechanic
Expert mechanic on hand all week
Feed Stops
Feed and support stops each day
Package and Prices
Prices
- £2,399 per person based on two people sharing a twin room with two single beds
- £2,824 based on one person in a single room for 7 nights on Half Board basis
Included
- Ride with Mr LEJOG Sean Conway for the week
- 3 and 4 star hotel accommodation for 7 nights
- Breakfast and dinners
- Daily luggage transport
- Transfers from the Penzance hotel to Land’s End and from John O’Groats to Inverness
- Two Support vehicles providing assistance and snack stations during the rides each day
- Riding Guides
- GPX Routes
- ABTA protected
Also Available:
- Extra night in Inverness on 14 September after the final day’s ride – available on request. +44 (0) 161 676 0390 | hello@sportivebreaks.com
Itinerary
Day To Day
Please make your own arrangements to arrive at our hotel today. Sean and our team will be available to meet you at the hotel.
Our hotel
Premier Inn Penzance – dinner will be arranged locally for the group
What about my bike?
Our mechanic will be available this afternoon at the hotel to assist you with building your own bike after travel. Bikes can be safely stored at the hotel.
This afternoon and early evening, Sean and our bike mechanic are available for you.
Evening meal at a local restaurant and briefing on the challenge ahead.
Typical timings for the days ahead:
- 05.30 – Wake up and breakfast
- 06.30 – 07.00 – Start of the day’s ride
- 11.00 – Mid-afternoon feed stop
- 13.00 – Lunch stop
- 15.00 – Feed and assistance break
- 16.30 – 17.30 – Finish – Check-in at next hotel
- 18.00 – 19.00 – Relax
- 19.00 – Dinner
- 20.00 – Relax
Any LEJOG must start with a group photo next to the Land’s End signpost so that’s where we will start this morning.
Land’s End is perched on the most south-western part of England. The craggy rocks and wild sea make a good background for photos before setting off. Our ride today starts with the dramatic coastline from Land’s End to Penzance. We will pass England’s smallest city, Truro.
Highlight of today is Dartmoor National Park. We will stop to take on fuel and energy before we climb through Dartmoor National Park. Dartmoor is an attractive part of the county of Devon in South-West England with stunning landscapes and enticing views across the famous moors where the famous ponies graze. Our hotel is in Exeter where we will stay overnight stay and relax before tomorrow’s ride.
Cheddar Gorge, a picturesque limestone gorge located in the Mendip Hills, near the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England. Cheddar Gorge is known for its stunning natural beauty, with towering cliffs rising to 137 meters (449 feet) above the surrounding landscape. It’s a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors for its hiking trails, rock climbing opportunities, and the famous Cheddar Caves.
The Clifton Suspension Bridge is an iconic landmark located in Bristol, England, spanning the Avon Gorge and the River Avon. It was designed by the famous Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, although it was completed after his death in 1864, under the supervision of William Henry Barlow and John Hawkshaw. The bridge is celebrated for its innovative design and engineering prowess.
Hereford is a cathedral city located in the county of Herefordshire, in the West Midlands region of England. It sits on the banks of the river Wye and is known for its rich history, picturesque surroundings, and agricultural heritage.
Today is the day that we reach the halfway mark of our challenge. Not only are we halfway but you have also conquered the toughest part. From the Midlands we reach the North-West of England and the market town of Wigan. Formerly part of Lancashire, Wigan now forms part of the Greater Manchester area.
After reaching the halfway point yesterday, today we reach another milestone as we leave England and reach Scotland. After lunch, you will make your way towards Carlisle before crossing the Border, into Scotland. The last 20 miles of the days is fairly undulating before eventually arriving at your accommodation for the night. Our stay is Gretna Green, famous for couples eloping to get married.
The Forth Road Bridge is a major suspension bridge in Scotland that spans the Firth of Forth, connecting the city of Edinburgh to the town of North Queensferry in Fife. It is one of the most iconic landmarks in Scotland and a vital transportation link for commuters and travellers.
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, located in the southeastern part of the country, on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth. It’s renowned for its rich history, stunning architecture, vibrant cultural scene, and picturesque setting.
Today we take in part of The Lochs and Glens Way. This is a stunningly beautiful route through the heart of Scotland. It travels between Inverness and Glasgow through two fantastic National Parks. It’s ideal for long-distance cycle tourers or bike packers looking for an adventure through Scotland’s awe-inspiring landscapes. From Perth we ride to Pitlochry known as the gateway to the Highlands and known for its Salmon Leap.
Aviemore is a picturesque town located in the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands. It’s a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a wide range of activities year-round.
Inverness is a historic city located in the Scottish Highlands, situated on the northeast coast of Scotland, where the River Ness meets the Moray Firth. It’s often referred to as the “Capital of the Highlands”. Inverness is situated near the famous Loch Ness, renowned for its mythical monster, Nessie. Visitors can take boat tours of the loch, visit the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition to learn about its history and mysteries, and explore the surrounding area, including the ruins of Urquhart Castle.
The final day has finally arrived. One last pull to get you to the end. We are cycling some of ‘The Far North Way’ a cycling route between Inverness to John O’ Groats. The 200-mile Far North Way passes through some of the most remote landscapes in the UK, including the ancient peatlands of the Flow Country in the former administrative counties of Caithness and Sutherland. In addition, the route forms part of the North Sea Cycle Route – an international cycle route through eight European countries.
Ancient forests and remote moorlands rich in wildlife. This final section is the most remote of the route. Snap your picture next to the John O’Groats sign and revel in your accomplishment of completing the UK’s most iconic ride.
After the ride today, and the obligatory photograph at the signpost, we’ll transfer you back to Inverness. From here the programme is up to you – you can book to stay overnight or head straight back home via the airport or train station. Either way it’s time to unwind after a truly mammoth achievement.
We offer a night’s stay in Inverness on request – Email Us – hello@sportivebreaks.com
Important Information About LEJOG with Sean Conway
Cycling from Land’s End to John o’ Groats is a popular challenge for cyclists, often regarded as one of the ultimate endurance tests in the UK. The route covers approximately 874 miles (1,407 kilometres) and takes riders from the southwestern tip of England to the north eastern tip of Scotland.
The Land’s End to John o’ Groats route offers cyclists a diverse range of landscapes to experience, from the rugged coastline of Cornwall to the rolling hills of the Midlands and the remote wilderness of the Scottish Highlands. It’s a challenging but rewarding journey that provides cyclists with a unique opportunity to explore the length and breadth of Great Britain on two wheels.
It is essential that cyclists undertaking this journey plan their route carefully, considering factors such as road conditions, elevation changes, and available accommodations along the way. Sportive Breaks offers supported rides, where a support vehicle carries gear and provides assistance along the way.
Typical day
- 05.30 – Wake up and breakfast
- 06.30 – 07.00 – Start of the day’s ride
- 13.00 – Lunch stop
- 15.00 – Feed and assistance break
- 16.30 – 17.30 – Finish – Check-in at next hotel
- 18.00 – 19.00 – Relax
- 19.00 – Dinner
- 20.00 – Relax
Sean Conway and LEJOG
Sean Conway is a British endurance adventurer known for his remarkable feats, including cycling the length of Great Britain from Land’s End to John o’ Groats (LEJOG). Having already cycled and swum the length of Britain, endurance adventurer Sean Conway completed his trilogy in 2008 by running all the way from John O’Groats to Land’s End. His achievements have inspired many others to pursue their own adventures and challenges, and he has become a well-known figure in the world of endurance sports and adventure travel.
Average speed:
You should be able to maintain an average speed of 25 km/h depending on the individual stage and the ascent.
Mandatory Equipment
The following equipment is mandatory:
- Hard-shell helmet
- Long sleeve jacket for cold weather
- Overshoes
- Leg warmers
- Full-finger gloves
- Seat-post red light
Support
You will be supported by a team of 3 of our best guides. Two minibuses will provide you with food and assistance stations each day, and emergency support. Our two riders on the road (Sean plus one other) will ride with the group and provide fun, banter and motivation to get you through the days. Two vehicles with 8 seats each provide us with space for 16 lucky riders to take will ride as a group. We understand that the group may split based on speed so having two support vehicles means that we can give you the opportunity to ride at your own pace and that you will have access to your personal kit, snacks, water and any mechanical or first aid support. Our vans have full tool kits and spare wheels. We aim to provide feed stops every 30m/50km depending on the weather and the type of stage.
Navigation
We provide you with maps and GPX files which will take you from hotel to hotel. You must have your own GPS unit.
LEJOG with Sean Conway 2024 details
- Dates: Sunday 8 September – Sunday 15 September 2024
- Total distance – 1443km
- Average daily distance – 206km
- Start location – Land’s End (first night at the Premier Inn, Penzance)
- Finish location – John O’Groats
LEJOG with Sean Conway 2024 Stages
- Day 0 – Saturday 7 September – Pre-LEJOG in Penzance
- Day 1 – Sunday 8 September – Penzance to Exeter – 204.17km and 3,321m of ascent
- Day 2 – Monday 9 September – Exeter to Hereford – 210km and 2695m of ascent
- Day 3 – Tuesday 10 September – Hereford to Wigan – 202km and 1896m of ascent
- Day 4 – Wednesday 11 September – Wigan to Gretna Green – 195km and 2163m of ascent
- Day 5 – Thursday 12 September – Gretna Green to Perth – 203km and 2285m of ascent
- Day 6 – Friday 13 September – Perth to Dingwall/Evanton – 214km and 1850m of ascent
- Day 7 – Saturday 14 September – Dingwall/Evanton to John O’Groats – 215km and 2125m of ascent
You're in safe hands
We have a team of highly experienced professionals who have been organising cycling trips for over 25 years. We are members of ABTA and ATOL so book with confidence.
Plenty to choose from
Did you know we offer the biggest selection of European Gran Fondo and Cyclo-Sportive events.
Spread your payments
Our payment plan is an interest-free payment method where you will have the opportunity to spread payment for your booking. *Selected products. Terms and Conditions apply
Logistics covered
We know the routes, we know the roads. We know how the event works and the best hotels for the start and finish. We organise everything for you; transfers, bike transport, additional feed stops, rep support and more.