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Gravel riding in Scotland just got better! Gallovidian Gravel joins Cycling UK’s growing collection of long-distance must-ride routes. Since launching our gravel holiday range in 2023, we’ve sampled some of the best gravel riding in Scotland, so we were delighted to be involved in helping Cycling UK create a new off-road route in Dumfries and Galloway - 'Galloway Gravel Escape'. Working ...
Land’s End to John o’ Groats or LEJOG is the ultimate long-distance route in the UK, spanning 1000 miles of incredible riding through three countries. The route dates back more than a hundred years with countless creative records set by walkers and cyclists, including George Pilkington Mills who completed the journey on a penny farthing in 1886 in just 5 days!
LEJOG is a hugely popular challenge but one of the things we love about it is how varied those challenges can look. We’ve been running our own LEJOG cycle tours since 2006, and over the years we’ve loved being part of so many inspiring stories – pedallin’ octogenarians, visually impaired riders on tandems, and even a Paralympic rider on a recumbent bike. Our ‘classic’ LEJOG is ridden over two weeks, but we also have a hugely popular three-week itinerary so even more people can in the fun. New for 2025, we’re thrilled to launch a brand new e-bike tour, ridden over three weeks. We’ve been accommodating e-bikes on our LEJOG tours since 2018 but with a dedicated tour, we hope even more people will feel encouraged to complete this awesome iconic journey.
Is LEJOG by e-bike still a challenge?
Absolutely! LEJOG is not a beginner’s ride, even with the boost of a battery. The bikes will certainly make the many hills a little less daunting, but you’ll still be covering a good distance each day with plenty of climbing. That said, LEJOG by e-bike is a lot of fun! Our cycling holidays are all about soaking in the sights and sounds as you turn the pedals, something that is even more relaxing from the more upright position of a hybrid bike with a little boost for those cheeky climbs. If you’re thinking about signing up to join us in 2025, then here are our top tips from Skedaddle guides about how to get the most out of your e-LEJOG trip…
Pre-trip Training
Do some regular riding
Your LEJOG trip will be far more enjoyable if you do some training before you go. Even just riding a few miles each day on consecutive days will mean it’s less of a shock when you find yourself riding consistently for three weeks. Not least for getting comfortable with your bum in a saddle for days at a time!
Try an e-bike before you go
If you’re a regular cyclist, you’ll be used to pedalling but riding an e-bike is quite a different experience. The bikes are slightly heavier, and whilst the battery means this doesn’t impact the effort required to turn the pedals, it does mean they may handle in a different way to what you are used to. It’s also helpful to familiarise yourself with how they work – power settings, gears and charging – so you can feel confident from day one of the tour and focus on the fun of the ride. Check out our quick guide about everything you need to know about Skedaddle tours and e-bikes.
Essential Kit
Don’t skimp on your cycle shorts
Make sure you put your 20% Endura discount voucher to good use and invest in a quality pair if you don’t already own some.
Pack decent thermal layers and waterproofs
The British weather is renowned for being unpredictable, especially as we head north, so it’s important to be prepared, even in summer. One advantage of a hybrid e-bike is that they come with panniers, perfect for stashing your extra layers, ready to throw them on if the clouds roll in.
On The Road
Pace your battery as well as yourself
LEJOG is a fun challenge, but our tours are not a race to the finish. On some days we cover a lot of miles so it’s a good idea to keep your bike in eco mode. Increase the power assist level for hills when you need it and remember to switch back to eco mode again on the flatter sections.
Remember to use your gears
E-bikes are no different to regular bikes when it comes to selecting the right gear for the terrain. As you approach a hill, remember to drop to a lower gear before you ramp up the power assist.
Dress appropriately
If you usually ride a regular bike, you may notice that you feel the cold more on an e-bike because you’re not exerting yourself as much. Make sure you wrap up, especially as we head into wilder areas of the UK.
Enjoy the camaraderie!
Enjoy riding with like-minded Skedaddlers on e-bikes as you complete this epic journey together. Don’t forget to snap a few photos along the way to share with the rest of the Skedaddle community!
Why join a Skedaddle LEJOG tour?
We’ve spent years perfecting our LEJOG tour to take you along the most scenic route riding the best roads. Every tour is fully supported with a tour leader, vehicle and 24/7 emergency support. We’ll be stopping at some our favourite places along the way, including the best scenic picnic spots and unique accommodation. We go the extra mile to make sure you have a magical and memorable journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats.
All days were really enjoyable. This was my 4th trip doing LEJOG (first with Skedaddle) and was most definitely the best route by far.
The quirky places on the LEJOG that we’ve seen and stayed at meant that I’ve got enough stories and memories to last a lifetime. The whole trip seemed far less effort and so much more fun because it was done the Skedaddle way.
The routes were great! I was amazed at the extent to which major roads were avoided and as a result the beautiful scenery and villages we enjoyed cycling through.
Ready to book?
LEJOG is one of our bestsellers and we anticipate our e-LEJOG to be just as popular. Make sure you book early to avoid disappointment.
