Janet and Nessie, who deem themselves “not ultra-fit, everyday people”, spent around 60 days leisurely cycling their e-bikes from Land’s End in Cornwall to John o’Groats in Scotland (LEJOG). In this blog, Janet shares her practical tips for anyone of a similar age wishing to do a cycle tour, the heartwarming encounters they experienced on the way and how they persevered when disaster struck.
Janet and Nessie embarked on their longest bikepacking trip of their lives from Cornwall to Caithness with one goal, enjoyment. Credit: Janet Lewis
Taking time to listen to the birdsong
Janet and Nessie, both in their 60s, embarked on their longest bikepacking trip of their lives from Cornwall to Caithness with one goal, enjoyment.
Using a combination of paper OS maps and Google Maps, the sisters travelled the length of mainland UK on their electric bikes, averaging around 30 to 40 miles per day.
The paths which Janet and Nessie took followed greenways, cycle paths, country roads and stretches of the National Cycle Network.
They agreed that the people they met, the natural sights they saw along the way and the time to bond further with each other were among the highlights of the adventure.
Janet, who shared her advice for bikepacking adventures, reminisced: “For us it was more about travelling at our own pace gently through the country rather than the challenge itself.
"Because you're out in the elements every day regardless of the weather you concentrate more on what is immediately around you.
"Listening to birdsong, enjoying the smell of honeysuckle and pine trees or stopping for a skinny dip in a river.
"It can be quite magical.
"Just pedalling along with minimal luggage and by necessity living a simple and healthy couple of months - it's an experience we would thoroughly recommend to everyone.
"We enjoyed it so much that we wanted to continue our adventure when we reached John o'Groats."
“For us it was more about travelling at our own pace gently through the country rather than the challenge itself". Credit: Janet Lewis
Preparing for their longest cycle trip yet
Janet, who lives in Knighton on the Welsh border and Nessie who lives near Wirksworth in Derbyshire, cycled 1,700 miles in two months, stopping off to soak up the views at historical sites, gardens, cafes and pubs.
The sisters, originally from Kent prepared for their journey by doing shorter trips around Wales.
By doing these shorter trips they realised they would cut back on their planned daily mileage for their longer journey.
They noted down cycle repair shops along their planned route and pre booked a service for their bikes for halfway through their trip.
“We both have KTM electric bikes with solid wheels so at least there would be no punctures.
"Nessie swears by her hard leather brooks saddle. I've just got the saddle that came with the bike - it's like a squishy sofa.
"We just wear normal clothes and have very good waterproofs.
"The only 'cycling' stuff we have are of course helmets, high-vis, cycling gloves, lights and good waterproof panniers.
"We both have a pair of Ortlieb panniers and handlebar bags which have handy map pockets."
The sisters cycled 1,700 miles in two months, stopping off to soak up the views at historical sites, gardens, cafes and pubs. Credit: Janet Lewis
A relief to see the little red signs
"After a while you really get into the rhythm of cycling every day.
"We got a sense of how the country all connects together. The scenery kept improving the further north we went but with more spectacular landscapes there are fewer places to stay and potentially bigger mileage.
"We stuck to Sustrans routes where we could, it was often a relief to come across those little blue and red signs. As we all know provision for cyclists is very patchy.
"The stretch we took between Edinburgh and around Stirling was one of the stand out cycle-friendly bits for us.
"As we'd made up our own route, including the north coasts of Cornwall and Devon and the north west coast of Scotland via Cape Wrath, maps were hugely important.
"My luxury is a paper OS map - as they're heavy to carry around I'd posted them on along our route then posted them back home once used.
"Nessie has the OS map app and the combination of them both we found to be perfect for us.
"We constantly met people who were gobsmacked that two old women who didn't look particularly sporty were going this far, to be honest we rather enjoyed people's surprised reactions."
Inspiring others along the way
The pair, who discovered cycling later in their lives, met numerous like-minded women along their journey who wished to do the same as them.
"On our trip we met a lot of women of a similar sort of age to us, they would often have a partner who was really into cycling.
"When they heard what we were doing - crucially taking our time and stopping a lot to visit stuff or just admire the view they would often say 'Ooo that's really inspirational.'
"I think a lot of women and older people in particular can be put off by cycling. It can be intimidating especially if you have a sporty partner or you can feel anxious if you are on your own.
"One of the reasons of course is that there are lots of scary roads and potholes - we encountered quite a few en route - impossible to avoid.
"There are far too few separated cycle ways. We all get very nervous when there is traffic thundering past just inches away.
"We liked the Sustrans routes the best - especially ones that take you on little lanes through villages so you can have a good nosey."
Recharging the batteries
"Before we left we pencilled in the places on our maps where we were going to stay and pre booked accommodation.
"We didn't do any camping as we needed electricity to charge our bikes.
"We both have e-bikes with removable batteries, so we just took them in to where we were staying to charge overnight.
"We stayed in lots of different places, from camping pods to hostels, hotels and Airbnbs.
"Sometimes we have to stop somewhere during the day if it is particularly long and hilly for a recharge - like a café or a pub - we always asked and was only refused once."
Janet and Nessie, who deem themselves “not ultra-fit, everyday people”, spent around 60 days leisurely cycling their e-bikes from Land’s End in Cornwall to John o’Groats in Scotland (LEJOG). Credit: Janet Lewis
Prepare for the unexpected
While there's only so much you can prepare for before a bikepacking trip, unexpected things like road closures, bad weather and mechanical faults can still happen.
In the north west of Scotland, rounding Cape Wrath the sisters faced strong winds, Janet described seeing people on motorbikes being blown off their bikes.
Janet herself was blown off her bike by a crosswind that sent her and her cycle tumbling down a bank.
Nessie's bike was also blown over, causing the bike's computer to smash.
Janet said: "The bike's heavy and can't be ridden in such adverse conditions, without a functioning computer.
"There were a lot of tears. We were so near to the end after coming so far.
"There were no buses, taxis or bike mechanics for miles - it was the most remote place for this to happen."
Their heroine came in the form of their younger sister, Anthea who'd joined them for the last part of their trip.
Anthea has the same electric bike, sacrificed her computer - giving it to Nessie - so her sisters could carry on their journey through Sutherland and Caithness to John o’Groats - while she hitchhiked.
Janet added: "Wouldn't it be great to have the bike equivalent of the AA or RAC?
"I would definitely pay extra for such a service - just for the piece of mind.
"I think more people would do long cycle rides with this kind of back up."
"We enjoyed it so much that we wanted to continue our adventure when we reached John o'Groats". Credit: Janet Lewis
Janet's advice for bikepacking adventures
Janet shared her advice for those thinking of doing something similar, she said:
- "Decide on what you want to see rather than how many miles you want to do."
- "Sort out where you’re staying beforehand, especially if you’re not camping."
- "Get yourself some good paniers - and bring a light, foldable rucksack to take around with you while on foot - panniers are uncomfortable to lug around."
- "Bring a small stove - it's useful for cooking in scenic spots and helps to keep the cost down too."
- "Pack light and take minimal belongings with you."
- "Set your bike up in a position that’s comfortable for you."
- "Get a comfy bike seat."
- "Wear stretchable, comfy clothing."
- "Wear high-vis and extra lights for your helmet so you're as visible as possible."
- "I’d recommend electric bikes - they keep longer trips more enjoyable.
- "Keep a diary to help you reminisce on memories easier."
"Factor in rest days." - "Take your time. If you’re rushing around, you'll enjoy it less."
Sustrans' Walking and Cycling Index (2023) found that more than twice as many men (21%) cycle more than once a week than women (10%).
The Walking and Cycling Index (formerly named Bike Life) is the biggest assessment of walking, wheeling[1] and cycling in urban areas in the UK and Ireland.
