JOGLE support vehicle HELP!

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
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Robb3456
Posts: 4
Joined: 31 Oct 2014, 10:05am

JOGLE support vehicle HELP!

Post by Robb3456 »

[b]Hi, I am new to this forum so excuse me if this isnt the correct way to put this out there....

Me and 5 of my friends are planning on doing the JOGLE ride somewhere between the last 2 weeks of june and the first 2 weeks of july next year. The plan is to do it in 9 days cycling, starting on the saturday and finishing the following sunday. The plan would be to have a camper van as a support vehicle and accommodation for the time we are away but we are stumped when it comes to a support driver.... i have tried a few companies who can offer such services but these seem to be a little (a lot) on the expansive side.....

I dont know if this is a bit rude but is there anyone out there who might be interested in coming along for the ride?? We plan on taking a total of 7 days off work.... friday - monday to friday - monday. ( days either side to allow for traveling to and from the start and end.

if someone would be kind enough to offer their services we would ensure that there expanses are all taken care of (food and drink etc..).. if we are really stuck payment can also be arranged.....

Does this sound like a problem people have had in the past or does anyone have any suggestions of what we can do?
Ron
Posts: 1385
Joined: 5 Jan 2007, 9:07pm

Re: JOGLE support vehicle HELP!

Post by Ron »

If between the six cyclists you cannot find one friend or family member to undertake this support role, I would suggest you are unlikely to find a stranger to volunteer.
I can't imagine anyone rushing to assist as it doesn't sound like a very attractive offer, sharing sleeping accommodation with six strangers in a camper van for eleven nights!
Is the driver of the support vehicle expected to cook and clean also? Is the driver required to supply the vehicle or will he/she have any say in the choice of vehicle? Will the cyclists and their bikes have to be ferried to/from each end of the LEJOG, if so from/to where?
pdstsp
Posts: 24
Joined: 10 May 2011, 11:02pm

Re: JOGLE support vehicle HELP!

Post by pdstsp »

Why not just travel very light and stay in B&Bs sharing rooms?
Barrenfluffit
Posts: 797
Joined: 20 Oct 2009, 5:31pm

Re: JOGLE support vehicle HELP!

Post by Barrenfluffit »

The members here are pretty much people who love cycle touring.

You need someone who likes driving a campervan more than bike touring and likes using the associated kit. So a motorhoming type forum may be a better audience than this one. You could use pop up tents as bedrooms; this would allow the driver to get a proper nights sleep.

Personally I don't really agree with the use of support vehicles; cycle touring works better stripped down. Otoh I can see circumstances where its unavoidable.
tyreon
Posts: 936
Joined: 4 Oct 2012, 4:39pm

Re: JOGLE support vehicle HELP!

Post by tyreon »

I hope you get someone to help out. I don't think your request too extar-ordinary. I think you should make the offer to pay the drivers B+B,at least. There must be some Aussie young man or woman who wouldn't mind seeing the country gratis by doing that work: it would be an experience! I guess the devil is in the detail. You don't want to create 'a slave',there's gotta be something in it for the driver. I think if I was widowed,suffered some injury that stopped me getting out-and-abou,t I'd consider it. Still,to keep all your riders happy,they could make demands that might make the volunteer wish he hadn't taken the job.
I saw a similar advert last year(?) If I had been single,might have taken up the offer: tho they were offering the volunteer B+B and expenses paid. There could be a lot of yakka in driving that van tho: routes,stops,people phoning up the driver to come and get them,they fagged out,inclement weather etc.

In the end it could work out well,or be hell,or a comedy!! You'll have to do a video!!
thirdcrank
Posts: 36776
Joined: 9 Jan 2007, 2:44pm

Re: JOGLE support vehicle HELP!

Post by thirdcrank »

One of the most prolific members of the forum drove a LEJOG support vehicle in slightly different circumstances: shorter timetable (5 days?) and staying in B&B iirc. My point is that he did it and others may in future. Accept every post on here as a way of keeping your thread prominent for at least a few days and don't be discouraged. It may be that people would agree to split this, each doing a part of the trip.
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Mick F
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Joined: 7 Jan 2007, 11:24am
Location: Tamar Valley, Cornwall

Re: JOGLE support vehicle HELP!

Post by Mick F »

I was that man! :D
It was a very different thing to what you are asking though. We had two of us in the van, and it was in support for the riders during the days for feeding/watering etc.

There was a mini bus as well with four people who set up the meals and sorted out the evening accommodation each night. We all slept in hostels and bunkhouses - seven riders, plus we six supporters.

If I were in your situation, I'd find a mate or family member to drive the minibus, as you are all going to be rather "intimate" sleeping together in a minibus. Failing that, ditch the idea support, and use B+Bs or YHAs. Personally, that's the way I'd do it.
Mick F. Cornwall
simonhill
Posts: 5226
Joined: 13 Jan 2007, 11:28am
Location: Essex

Re: JOGLE support vehicle HELP!

Post by simonhill »

I think you need to supply a bit more detail. What sort of camper van; are you supplying it; where are you leaving from as the driver will have to get to your home base and then get back from there.

Plus, I think you need to think through the logistics a bit. Campervans don't usually sleep 7 people. Also, to and from the ride I presume you hope to carry 7 bikes and 7 people in the van. This is unrealistic and probably illegal. The vans only have a set number of legal seats and where will you put all the bikes?

I'm not trying to be a downer, but I think you need to think this through a lot more carefully.
wirral_cyclist
Posts: 1024
Joined: 17 May 2010, 9:25pm
Location: Wirral Merseyside

Re: JOGLE support vehicle HELP!

Post by wirral_cyclist »

You need to consider asking for (and paying for B&B/food for) a 'couple' rather than a single as you may get more interest - would only cost the food and transport 'extra' over and above a single person as rooming rate wouldn't change - I doubt any stranger would want to bunk in with unknown people as they'd inevitably be billy no mates, if only initially. A motorhome is very cramped at capacity especially ablution wise.
wirral_cyclist
Posts: 1024
Joined: 17 May 2010, 9:25pm
Location: Wirral Merseyside

Re: JOGLE support vehicle HELP!

Post by wirral_cyclist »

Another thing to think about is if you want the motorhome as an escort vehicle trailing you, this will kill the fuel consumption from quite poor down to very bad! An escort vehicle would also annoy following traffic much more than an easily passed cycle, and driving it as such would also detract from drivers abilities to make something of the journey.
thebedfordfox
Posts: 54
Joined: 27 Apr 2012, 6:59pm

Re: JOGLE support vehicle HELP!

Post by thebedfordfox »

Why not, as previously suggested, ditch the support van and carry a pannier or two each? I got everything - toiletries, clothing, creams, innertube - into one pannier for LEJOG in August. The ride would have been easier without it, but I got through.

Six people should be able to find reasonably priced accommodation in any medium-sized town. Just takes a few phone calls. Much better than a poor night's sleep in a camper van.
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