General Considerations

General Considerations

When considering travelling the length of the country, there are many things to consider, here are a few of my thoughts around the challenge.

Mode of Transport

The End to End challenge has been done in more ways than you could imagine, some so bizzare, the mind boggles as to how on earth they could be done, these include:

• Skate board
• Pogo stick
• Wheel barrow (two brothers who then changed over and went back the other way) 
• Teeing a golf ball all the way
• By bus pass

 Obviously all these methods were going to be out of the question, so this left the following options:

• Cycling - 10 to 20 days
• Running - 30 to 40 days
• Walking - 45 to 55 days

 After having cycled it back in 1985 and having enjoyed every minute, I really fancied having a go at running it this time.  However, the logistics of running proved to be too much, this would require a support vehicle to carry all my gear, every day for up to seven weeks and I didn't have anyone able to do that.  Therefore the only viable option was to walk it.

North South, or South North

This is always a matter of much debate, most people seem to do LeJog rather than JogLe.  If I was on bike then this would definitely be a LeJog to take advantage of the prevailing winds, but on foot that's not so important.  In the end, it is a matter of personal preference and there is no right or wrong way to go.
Here are some of the pros & cons:

South - North (LeJog)

Pros:

• Prevailing winds - can save a whole day if on bike.
• Maps will always be the right way up.
• Established route guides in this direction.
• Sun on your back rather than in your face.

Cons: 

• It gets cooler as you head North.
• Some big hills and midges saved for the end.

North - South (JogLe)

Pros:

• It gets warmer as you travel South.
• Gets midges and the busy A9 and A99 out of the way in the first week.
• You get to finish the walk in surfer country.

Cons:

•  The sun and wind will be in your face.
• Maps will always be upside down.

Alone or Accompanied

Many people choose to do this walk alone, possibly because they can't find anyone else mad enough, or able to spare the time off work to join them.  The prospect of travelling 1,100 miles on foot alone could be quite daunting to many people and perhaps the monotony of some parts is better having someone to share the experience with.  Ultimately this is a matter of whether you think that you need a travelling companion, or prefer break the trail and its many experiences alone.

Conclusions

I decided to do JogLe rather than LeJog because I wanted to finish in a warmer part of the country where I'm used to having summer beach holidays and because I've done LeJog before, so this would be a different experience.  The prospect of doing the journey by foot is certainly a daunting one, but many people complete this challenge every year and some people do it in ways that make my attempt look like a Sunday afternoon stroll!