127 mile canal ride for charity training suggestions

[Pjays666]

Well finally managed to get back out on the bike again. Canal towpath like a quagmire in parts so thought I'd do some hill work (ouch). Managed to do a whole 7.33 miles got back drenched with rain and couldn't see a thing so had to take my cycling glasses off mid ride. My other half thinks I'm crazy but it felt great despite the climbs, wind and rain is this normal behaviour for a grown man reliving his youth lol.

 

[stevede]

Good luck with doing this ride, it's hard work but well worth it. I did it last year with a work colleague, (second time I have done it) but we then went on to Hornsea (wanted to do a coast to coast).

As others have said, whist the terrain is relatively flat (apart from the locks) the surface varies tremendously from good surface to what can only be described as riding across a ploughed field. We did it in 3 days overall, (2 days for the canal). Day one got us a far as Burnley stopping at a very helpful Premier Inn.
First days weather was appalling (heavy rain all day), but managed to get sun burnt on the second!

We had someone hopping along with us in the car, which meant we didn't need to carry lots of provisions. try and do this if you can, and we managed the route with just 4 punctures and one new tyre. (just made Ellis Briggs shop at the side of the Canal)

Would I do it again? Probably. I had a ridged frame bike (not recommended), I have since upgraded to front suspension. A decent saddle is a must as I cannot emphasize the poor surface in some areas. Definitely keep away from the slick tyres, there are more than a few areas where you are riding through mud baths.

We averaged about 12 - 13 miles an hour on the good stretches, down to 7 on the less good and many areas where it was quicker to walk.

I am far from being the fittest person you will ever meet, but getting some miles in before is essential. Feel free to drop me a PM if you want any more info.

Kind regards

Steve

 

[Pjays666]

If you let me know an exact date, I'll see if I can keep you company. I've done 90 percent of the route in a day on a Brompton (did the same distance, just took the wrong turning). I'm only up the road in Rossendale and ride the canal with a mate and other canals with another mate.

Date set for 14 - 16 may, your welcome to join me if your free.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Date set for 14 - 16 may, your welcome to join me if your free.

Hi Pj,

Things have changed since I posted what you quoted. I was knocked of just before Christmas by a hit and run car. I ended up with a fractured elbow(radius). To keep my wife and daughter from worrying when I'm out(it was my second major non fault fall in 2years), I agreed to go back to riding a Brompton folding bike....their logic for not worrying is that I did 19,000 on my last one with no incidents.

As it turns out, they make one for tall people now and it's the comfiest bike I've had, so it worked out well for me.

So unless we have the driest and hottest spring on record, I'm afraid I don't think the towpaths will be feasible on a Brompton.

Thanks for the offer tho.

 

[wiggydiggy]

30 miles today Burnley greenberfield locks return. Fairly uneventful apart from being shouted at by a pedestrian, apparently it was my fault he didn't hear my bell and being water bombed by kids off bridge but at least I got the miles in. How is it some people refuse not to walk 4 a breast on a towpath despite seeing you hearing the bell and slowing to an almost stop. Yet if cyclists do it we are ignorant. I always pass the time of day and use manners what else can we do. I a thinking of putting a snow plough on the front and just pushing them into the canal but may struggle with bridges.

Hey.

Been reading up on your last few posts and good luck. Just one point pedestrians always have right of way on the towpath, try a ting ting wave approach and always assume if they dont turn and look at you, they havent heard it.

Keep up the good work!

 

[Pjays666]

Hi Pj,

Things have changed since I posted what you quoted. I was knocked of just before Christmas by a hit and run car. I ended up with a fractured elbow(radius). To keep my wife and daughter from worrying when I'm out(it was my second major non fault fall in 2years), I agreed to go back to riding a Brompton folding bike....their logic for not worrying is that I did 19,000 on my last one with no incidents.

As it turns out, they make one for tall people now and it's the comfiest bike I've had, so it worked out well for me.

So unless we have the driest and hottest spring on record, I'm afraid I don't think the towpaths will be feasible on a Brompton.

Thanks for the offer tho.

Sorry to hear that hope the recovery goes well and if I see someone on a folding bike going past my house I will stop them and see if its u.

 

[Pjays666]

Hey.

Been reading up on your last few posts and good luck. Just one point pedestrians always have right of way on the towpath, try a ting ting wave approach and always assume if they dont turn and look at you, they havent heard it.

Keep up the good work!

Don't worry I know I was just venting I am polite and always use my bell. I think in future if they don't appear to hear I will just have to shout. It can get frustrating though but I generally only get stressed at scrotes throwing things off bridges (apart from geese, they too are very territorial I notice).

 

[Pjays666]

Good luck with doing this ride, it's hard work but well worth it. I did it last year with a work colleague, (second time I have done it) but we then went on to Hornsea (wanted to do a coast to coast).

As others have said, whist the terrain is relatively flat (apart from the locks) the surface varies tremendously from good surface to what can only be described as riding across a ploughed field. We did it in 3 days overall, (2 days for the canal). Day one got us a far as Burnley stopping at a very helpful Premier Inn.
First days weather was appalling (heavy rain all day), but managed to get sun burnt on the second!

We had someone hopping along with us in the car, which meant we didn't need to carry lots of provisions. try and do this if you can, and we managed the route with just 4 punctures and one new tyre. (just made Ellis Briggs shop at the side of the Canal)

Would I do it again? Probably. I had a ridged frame bike (not recommended), I have since upgraded to front suspension. A decent saddle is a must as I cannot emphasize the poor surface in some areas. Definitely keep away from the slick tyres, there are more than a few areas where you are riding through mud baths.

We averaged about 12 - 13 miles an hour on the good stretches, down to 7 on the less good and many areas where it was quicker to walk.

I am far from being the fittest person you will ever meet, but getting some miles in before is essential. Feel free to drop me a PM if you want any more info.

Kind regards

Steve

Thanks for the info Steve, much appreciated I would PM u if I had any questions but haven't a clue how to do it.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Don't worry I know I was just venting I am polite and always use my bell. I think in future if they don't appear to hear I will just have to shout. It can get frustrating though but I generally only get stressed at scrotes throwing things off bridges (apart from geese, they too are very territorial I notice).

Geese yes lol A lot of the birds by canals are quite territorial, just try to stay out of nipping distance and you'll be fine.

Try a cheery 'Bicycle!' from a little distance, most people I encounter especially on the quieter sections are happy to share. Its the more accessible sections where you get more casual users (on foot or on bike!) that tend to have some issues.

Its the rarity though, canalside cycling for me (bumpy bump bumpy surface aside) is one of the most pleasurable.

 

[Pjays666]

Geese yes lol A lot of the birds by canals are quite territorial, just try to stay out of nipping distance and you'll be fine.

Try a cheery 'Bicycle!' from a little distance, most people I encounter especially on the quieter sections are happy to share. Its the more accessible sections where you get more casual users (on foot or on bike!) that tend to have some issues.

Its the rarity though, canalside cycling for me (bumpy bump bumpy surface aside) is one of the most pleasurable.

I know what you mean nothing better than jumping on the bike on the towpath and just going. Just checked weather for tomorrow nice and cold and hopefully not too wet. Result so out for some peace and escape the hum drum

 

[Pjays666]

Been out today gannow to east Marton and back 38 miles and felt great. Won't feel guilty going out for a Chinese tonight mmmmmm.

 

[Pjays666]

Another 28 miles today nice and cold but I was toasty warm except for my feet they always get cold despite cycling socks plus a thicker pair any ideas how to cure this please. I am really enjoying my cycling though even the hills feel easier (not that I go up many hills I meant inclines at the locks lol)

 

[matthat]

Hi There, Good luck on your ride! I used to ride along the Leeds Liverpool from Various points between Parbold and Liverpool, It is smooth in places and like a plowed field in others my thoughts would be MTB slicks with a bit of tread on sides! After a particularly bad day for punctures (7) I invested in a pair of Bontrager hard case tyres and never had a puncture since, nearly 4 yrs I think now.
I'm hoping to do C2C this yr myself Whitehaven to Sunderland.

 

[Pjays666]

Hi There, Good luck on your ride! I used to ride along the Leeds Liverpool from Various points between Parbold and Liverpool, It is smooth in places and like a plowed field in others my thoughts would be MTB slicks with a bit of tread on sides! After a particularly bad day for punctures (7) I invested in a pair of Bontrager hard case tyres and never had a puncture since, nearly 4 yrs I think now.
I'm hoping to do C2C this yr myself Whitehaven to Sunderland.

Thanks for the info and good luck with the c2c I will probably look to do one after this and then planning to do lejog in the next few years. Hopefully I will be fitter and slimmer by then.

 

[matthat]

Thanks for the info and good luck with the c2c I will probably look to do one after this and then planning to do lejog in the next few years. Hopefully I will be fitter and slimmer by then.

I personally would think the c2c easier than doing Leeds Liverpool purely because of the terrain involved along the towpaths although the hills and distance might change my view of that!! I also have hopes of doing lejog in next couple of yrs!! But we'll have to see. Good Luck