Now in its eighth year, The Garbage Run returns for 2025, with a 1400 mile back country adventure from Land's End to John o'Groats.
- Scenic back road route.
- Own bike
- Self Guided
- Solo or team riding with solo riders grouped up into teams if required
- Six nights camping, one night hotel on a twin share basis
- All breakfasts, 4 evening meals.
- Support van
- Sticker and t-shirt
- Printed route guide and GPX route files.
- £575
- Half JOG option for £450 starting in Peak District.
WHAT IS IT?
The Garbage Run is a mini adventure right on your own doorstep, riding some of the best roads right here in the UK and making some great friends along the way.
The route is all scenic A and B roads, the only motorway being the bit around Bristol, but that can easily be avoided for anyone on L plates. This is a self guided adventure, with a suggested route and chance in advance to team up with other riders and make some great friends along the way. There'll be a support van bringing up the rear, making teas and bacon butties in the morning to get you all going, with catering all offered in the evening. You won't even need to pack your stove!
The 2025 run also includes a nights hotel stay in Scotland, midway through the trip, with breakfast and evening meal included on that night. Rooms are on a twin share basis.
WHEN DOES IT START?
The ride commences Saturday morning at 8.30am on the14th June from the Land's End signpost. You will need to stay in the vicinity the night before, with a campsite booked for the group a short ride from Land's End. Campsite fee for Friday night is not included in the price.
WHEN DOES IT END?
The ride ends the following Friday evening at the John o'Groats sign post, giving you the weekend to get back home. This last night's camping is included in the price.
WHO IS IT FOR?
The Garbage Run is for anyone who wants to ride the full length of Britain with like-minded people with no emphasis on speed and rushing. With riders encouraged to ride their own pace, it suits novice riders and more experienced riders alike, on any bike, large or small.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Riders take responsibility for their own navigating from the outset. A recommended route will be provided, both in the form of a paper navigation book and digital GPX files. Riders are able to enter and ride as teams, ride solo, or be paired up with like minded individuals prior to the event. There will be nightly camp spots and checkpoints to aim for for lunch, with a back up van and support riders in case anything goes wrong along the way. The route is entirely on Tarmac.
HOW LONG ARE THE DAYS?
Daily mileage is between 180 and 220 miles, with there sometimes an option to shorten or lengthen it depending on your preference. Total mileage for the route will be around 1400 miles, with an additional 800 or so for the journey down to Land's End and back from John o'Groats.
WHAT WILL I NEED TO BRING?
You'll need a well serviced and reliable road worthy machine, with anything from 90cc scooters up to large capacity adventure bikes having completed the run in the past. It's also worthwhile having breakdown cover as whilst the support van will scoop you up off the side of the road and take you on to somewhere safe, it won't take you all the way back home.
For camping you'll need a sleeping bag, tent, roll mat and a pillow. Bring a stove if you want an early morning brew whilst the communal tea pot is mashing.
WHAT BIKE?
Any bike will do, as long as it's reliable. In the build up to the event any solo riders who want to join a group will have the chance to be partnered up with similar powered machines.
HOW MUCH IS IT?
£575 per person. £250 for a pillion
Book on with a £50 deposit. Final balance due March 31st 2025
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
All route maps and guides both digitally and in paper form. Six nights camping, one nights hotel at the stunning loch side Arrochar Hotel in the Scottish Highlands with evening meal and entertainment. Breakfasts (bacon/sausage rolls, as much tea and coffee as you can drink. Fresh porridge etc) throughout with vegetarian options available. Four evening group meals along the way (the other nights there is food available just at riders own cost.), stickers and t-shirt.
IS THERE OPTION TO HAVE MY BIKE SHIPPED BACK FROM JOHN O'GROATS?
Unfortunately not. Experience dictates that the easiest way back down from John o'Groats is to ride the bike back down, and after 7 days in the saddle it doesn't seem as daunting as it does at the start.
HALF LEJOG OPTION
This is the option to join us on the evening of Day 2 in the Peak District (Sunday night), ready to make the journey North the following day. Limited spots available.
Cost: £450
