Jameshow
Veteran
Thirty four! It's about 10 miles each way.
Saltaire to Leeds is 26 RTN.
Saltaire to Skipton is 26 too.
Liverpool to Leeds canal ride
- Thread starter pete drans
- Start date
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Thirty four! It's about 10 miles each way.
Saltaire to Leeds is 26 RTN.
Saltaire to Skipton is 26 too.
Kingfisher101
Veteran
It's often totally ram packed on that towpath, better off on the road, than having to ring your bell constantly and say excuse me every 2 minutes.
Jameshow
Veteran
The popular bits are from bingley to Leeds out beyond Keighley less so apart from the villages but then the surface becomes rougher!
There were spells where I didn't see anyone for an hour or so, then yes other areas where there were constant walkers but a quick excuse me and a ding and no one fell out 
It's not as it I could've went much faster on many sections anyhow. There were a few times were off lead dogs stopped me in my tracks but that always led to a nice chat with the owners about their day and dogs before setting off again.
I was looking forward to going to Skipton again, it's such a nice little place. Unfortunately JD tandems are closed on a Sunday or I would've made a point of calling in. I'd a nice toastie before heading off again to what turned out to be the roughest sections of the whole canal. I don't think I seen another bike for 10 or 15 miles from that point
It's not as it I could've went much faster on many sections anyhow. There were a few times were off lead dogs stopped me in my tracks but that always led to a nice chat with the owners about their day and dogs before setting off again. I was looking forward to going to Skipton again, it's such a nice little place. Unfortunately JD tandems are closed on a Sunday or I would've made a point of calling in. I'd a nice toastie before heading off again to what turned out to be the roughest sections of the whole canal. I don't think I seen another bike for 10 or 15 miles from that point
There were some parts of the canal where I was crying out for the comfort of cobbles such were the other surfaces
I think the surface was fairly good the whole way. There are spillways that we walked across and also some of the bridges are very narrow so we decided to walk them instead of risking 3 of us wobbling into the water. A fully laden tandem with 3 people on it is hard to balance at a snails pace.
The falkirk wheel and kelpies are worth the ride alone. Linlithgow was a cracking little town too. We've such great memories of our Scotland trip. The weather being in the late 20s helped too which is something I know you can't always guarantee there.
Kingfisher101
Veteran
I took a right tumble on one of those years ago, the front wheel of my bike got stuck between 2 cobbles and I was thrown off and hurt myself. I always walk the bike over now if its got water on like this one. Also they can be covered in green slime and be really slippy.
wiggydiggy
Legendary Member
I have ridden them before but after taking a tumble in a ford I'm wary of any water crossing now.
Kingfisher101
Veteran
When I came off I smashed my knees and the rear mech snapped clean off. I wont ride through puddles in road if I can help it either as some can be really deep potholes etc.
Kingfisher101
Veteran
Well done for doing this ride. I had a couple of friends do it a few years ago now and it was in bad weather and one ended up slipping and going in the canal at some point. Really lucky there was two of them because it can be hard getting out of a canal because the side walls are so high.
Silsden to Leeds has improved over the years, it had quite a few muddy sections which have all been improved, I take the bike on the train to Steeton & Silsden (last one in West Yorkshire so half price with a senior card) and cycle back down to Ferrybridge by canal and river Aire, it's gives me about 40 mile to home which is great with a strong Westerly wind.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I was talking about those in another thread last year. Rumour had it that changes would be made over the winter but nothing has happened yet. I will email the Canal & River Trust for an update!It also has these rather strange spillways, there was some talk a few years ago about replacing them as they arn't the friendliest crossings but people couldn't agree on the new design.
Sorry that's from home.
Jameshow
Veteran
That makes sense!👍
Hi Venod, i'm new to the forum and i have read your post with interest as i live near to Steeton. Me and my wife cycle to Woodlesford on the Leeds Liverpool canal and the Aire Calder navigation now and then and take the train back, a route in sure you know very well.
As you live near to Woodlesford and you will know the area inside out could you tell me is it possible for us to carry on cycling past Woodlesford locks straight into Castleford town centre (train station) using the cycle path if one exists.
I have looked at a few maps and most seem to have us leaving the path at Methley and cycling 3 miles on main roads to Castleford, something my other half will not do.
