```python
def route_stops(route: str) -> list:
    """
    Breaks a route written as stop names joined by greater-than signs into the stops themselves,
    trimming any spaces around each one.
    
    :param route: Route written as stop names joined by greater-than signs
    :return: List of stops
    """
    stops = route.split('>')
    return [stop.strip() for stop in stops if stop]

def route_hops(route: str) -> int:
    """
    Counts the journeys between stops, one fewer than the stops, and none at all for a blank route.
    
    :param route: Route written as stop names joined by greater-than signs
    :return: Number of journeys
    """
    if not route:
        return 0
    stops = route_stops(route)
    return len(stops) - 1
```