Well this really began as an idea back in the early 90’s while i was at college.
Me and my (to be) brother in law decided to do a cycle ride from Lands end to John O Groats.
We both spent much of our time cycling, so this although a major challenge, seemed quite achievable.

Well as you are probably reading this in 2008, you can guess it didn’t happen. Plans were made, but never came to fruition due to leaving college and getting jobs,
Adult life has a wonderful way of soaking up the decades in what seems just minutes!

The spark was re-ignited during a conversation in December 2007 at East West Martial arts where i am an instructor. Plans were made to introduce more fitness based training for 2008, including running and cycling. Im just not a runner, so getting back into cycling was the obvious choice for me.

After a few days thinking about things, I was really getting into the idea of starting cycling again. I still have my bike, a Proflex 856. This for those not in the know is a full suspension mountain bike from 1996 which was regarded as one of the best cross country mountain bikes around and indeed many would agree that it can still compete with some of the best today.

So the process was started….

Ok, so im getting back into cycling. Initially my ideas were content in getting my bike operational again and doing some local riding, beginning very slowly and just seeing where it goes.

By pure chance, I was asked whether i wanted to take part in a charity ride with some neighbours, this was completely by coincidence, but i agreed. This ride on its own would be further than any other single journey I have done. It is a ride from Manchester to Northampton which will probably end up being around 120 miles over two days.

This ride idea was I guess, what brought back the memories of planning the LeJog (Lands end to John O Groats) way back.
For the last couple of weeks I have been going around with a view that the LeJog would be 2009, infact the first version of this blog was based on that too. However I really want to make use of my renewed enthusiasm for cycling and do it sooner. So it is now that I announce my plan to do a LeJog (or a JogLe) this year.

You may think me mad or crazy (and after my first couple of test rides, I would be inclined to agree with you) but i think there is sufficient time for planning and training and I have the key ingredient in abundance…. enthusiasm.

Fingers crossed it will be enough to take me from one end to the other!