That's the one!
Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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Poacher
Gravitationally challenged member
- Location
- Nottingham
Condolences to @Stonechat
Way back on 9th June I promised to ride along the Grantham Canal and take a few pics. Well, I finally got around to it today. I apologise in advance for the boring nature of the pics, which were mostly taken to demonstrate the massive problems the Grantham Canal Society faces in restoring the canal to use, after it was officially closed, 80 years ago.
The ride from home to the start of the canal was just over 8 incident-free km, partly along the towpath of another canal. After reaching the N bankof the Trent I stopped to chat to some carp anglers who looked like they were settled in for a long session. I was horrified to learn that some fecking idiot has released catfish into the river; they're already being caught up to 14 pounds in weight. These fish will eat anything, and can grow to huge size - I've seen what they've done to the Ebro in northern Spain, where they're now just about the only species in what used to be a great barbel river. After crossing the river I pootled downstream a short way to the start of the canal, just down from Nottingham Forest's ground. Distances in km will be quoted from this point.
Only about 350m from here, the canal comes to a dead end at Scarrington Road.
Maybe there's a culvert, maybe not, but if there is, it's beneath a very busy 6 way crossroad and some houses, and the canal only reappears after nearly 400m.
From here to 1.9 km the canal is a tranquil rural oasis alongside the busy A6011, but at this point it's culverted again.
This is the other side of the road - why couldn't they have built another bridge like this when they widened the road? There's a dirty great pipe under my bike!
From here the canal passes prettily through the suburb of Gamston, with a couple of unnecessarily low footbridges over it, until at 3.25 km it meets Ambleside (twee name for a dull estate road) and the A52, under which it is culverted again. Note the bridge number 6a, 'cos I'm going to spare you a lot of similar photos! At this point, I had to divert slightly to find a safe crossing point over the busy A52, so the computer was removed for a while until I could pick up the canal again.
From the A52 onwards, a succession of farm track bridges would also prevent a narrowboat, or even a kayak, passing. In Cotgrave country park, a couple of locks were restored for the millennium celebrations. Pointless, really, as there are more culverted road bridges either side of this stretch, e.g. No 15 at 8.2 km
Just past this point, the canal bed is dry(ish) - occasional pools, but some bits dry as a bone. At 10.3 km, the canal passes under the A46. The society lobbied very hard, and successfully, for the rerouted and dualled road to go over a high enough bridge for the canal to be brought back into use - quite ironic, as this is just about the driest part. Here's the view from under the old bridge.
Again, most bridges are culverted. No 26, at 15.8 km, marks the end of the dry stretch. They're making sure water is retained!
At 16.7 km there's a poignant memorial to the members of the Sherwood Foresters 9th Battalion who didn't return from the Somme, 100 years ago.
Nearby is the now derelict Vimy Ridge farm. Please take the time to read more details here and here.
Whoops! Limit of 10 pics reached. To be continued......
Way back on 9th June I promised to ride along the Grantham Canal and take a few pics. Well, I finally got around to it today. I apologise in advance for the boring nature of the pics, which were mostly taken to demonstrate the massive problems the Grantham Canal Society faces in restoring the canal to use, after it was officially closed, 80 years ago.
The ride from home to the start of the canal was just over 8 incident-free km, partly along the towpath of another canal. After reaching the N bankof the Trent I stopped to chat to some carp anglers who looked like they were settled in for a long session. I was horrified to learn that some fecking idiot has released catfish into the river; they're already being caught up to 14 pounds in weight. These fish will eat anything, and can grow to huge size - I've seen what they've done to the Ebro in northern Spain, where they're now just about the only species in what used to be a great barbel river. After crossing the river I pootled downstream a short way to the start of the canal, just down from Nottingham Forest's ground. Distances in km will be quoted from this point.
Only about 350m from here, the canal comes to a dead end at Scarrington Road.
Maybe there's a culvert, maybe not, but if there is, it's beneath a very busy 6 way crossroad and some houses, and the canal only reappears after nearly 400m.
From here to 1.9 km the canal is a tranquil rural oasis alongside the busy A6011, but at this point it's culverted again.
This is the other side of the road - why couldn't they have built another bridge like this when they widened the road? There's a dirty great pipe under my bike!
From here the canal passes prettily through the suburb of Gamston, with a couple of unnecessarily low footbridges over it, until at 3.25 km it meets Ambleside (twee name for a dull estate road) and the A52, under which it is culverted again. Note the bridge number 6a, 'cos I'm going to spare you a lot of similar photos! At this point, I had to divert slightly to find a safe crossing point over the busy A52, so the computer was removed for a while until I could pick up the canal again.
From the A52 onwards, a succession of farm track bridges would also prevent a narrowboat, or even a kayak, passing. In Cotgrave country park, a couple of locks were restored for the millennium celebrations. Pointless, really, as there are more culverted road bridges either side of this stretch, e.g. No 15 at 8.2 km
Just past this point, the canal bed is dry(ish) - occasional pools, but some bits dry as a bone. At 10.3 km, the canal passes under the A46. The society lobbied very hard, and successfully, for the rerouted and dualled road to go over a high enough bridge for the canal to be brought back into use - quite ironic, as this is just about the driest part. Here's the view from under the old bridge.
Again, most bridges are culverted. No 26, at 15.8 km, marks the end of the dry stretch. They're making sure water is retained!
At 16.7 km there's a poignant memorial to the members of the Sherwood Foresters 9th Battalion who didn't return from the Somme, 100 years ago.
Nearby is the now derelict Vimy Ridge farm. Please take the time to read more details here and here.
Whoops! Limit of 10 pics reached. To be continued......
Poacher
Gravitationally challenged member
- Location
- Nottingham
Grantham canal continued:
Another culverted bridge, No 28, at Kinoulton, allows me to utter one of my favourite innocuous curses - "'kinoulton!" A little further on, at 19.5 km, yet another culverted bridge (No 30) leads into the large basin at Hickling. At last, this could be a possible terminus for the restored canal - I can't see the society being able to reach Nottingham.
From here towards Grantham, some of the farm tracks cross the canal by swing bridges - this is the next bridge after Hickling. About 100 m past this, I saw the scruffiest Red Kite ever; probably moulting after the breeding season, I suppose. No picture as my old camera simply doesn't have a decent zoom.
and some of the road bridges are as originally designed, although the one alongside this humorous (?) sign is a culverted one.
This concrete monstrosity, No 42 @ 26.7 km, doesn't seem to serve a purpose, and hasn't been used for years, judging by the dense vegetation on the far side of it.
My dusty canal-side trip ended at Harby. Beyond here, the track is grassy, rather than the variable quality, variable width (down to about 20 cm of hard surface in parts) path up to this point, at a smidgeon over 27km of canal. No 43 looks like you could just about squeeze a narrow boat under it.
From here, 24 km of road via Langar, Bingham, Gunthorpe, Lowdham and Burton Joyce to home in Carlton, stopping only to drain my bidon and pick up two which had been discarded by uncouth participants in the Outlaw triathlon last Sunday - appropriately named?
Apologies again for the photo overload - good job I didn't go all the way to Grantham!
Another culverted bridge, No 28, at Kinoulton, allows me to utter one of my favourite innocuous curses - "'kinoulton!" A little further on, at 19.5 km, yet another culverted bridge (No 30) leads into the large basin at Hickling. At last, this could be a possible terminus for the restored canal - I can't see the society being able to reach Nottingham.
From here towards Grantham, some of the farm tracks cross the canal by swing bridges - this is the next bridge after Hickling. About 100 m past this, I saw the scruffiest Red Kite ever; probably moulting after the breeding season, I suppose. No picture as my old camera simply doesn't have a decent zoom.
and some of the road bridges are as originally designed, although the one alongside this humorous (?) sign is a culverted one.
This concrete monstrosity, No 42 @ 26.7 km, doesn't seem to serve a purpose, and hasn't been used for years, judging by the dense vegetation on the far side of it.
My dusty canal-side trip ended at Harby. Beyond here, the track is grassy, rather than the variable quality, variable width (down to about 20 cm of hard surface in parts) path up to this point, at a smidgeon over 27km of canal. No 43 looks like you could just about squeeze a narrow boat under it.
From here, 24 km of road via Langar, Bingham, Gunthorpe, Lowdham and Burton Joyce to home in Carlton, stopping only to drain my bidon and pick up two which had been discarded by uncouth participants in the Outlaw triathlon last Sunday - appropriately named?
Apologies again for the photo overload - good job I didn't go all the way to Grantham!
gavgav
Legendary Member
My sincere condolences. My cycling helped me cope in some sort of way after I lost my mum 2 yrs ago. Look after yourself as well
Gravity Aided
Legendary Member
- Location
- Land of Lincoln
@Stonechat , my sincerest condolences on the loss of your mother.
Gravity Aided
Legendary Member
- Location
- Land of Lincoln
7.3 miles today, after grass cutting and dog walking which left me in rather lessened ability to get around the old path in this humidity, although the heat has lessened. Quite wrung out, yet I still managed to get to the the warehouse where bicycles were being sold off today to see about a bargain. I bought parts instead. Few people on the trails and roads today.
79F
Winds SE7
Relative humidity 80%
Barometer 30.04
Partly cloudy
79F
Winds SE7
Relative humidity 80%
Barometer 30.04
Partly cloudy
Biff600
Veteran
Just back from a pleasant 32 mile rattle around the Fens........my longest trip so far !!
twentysix by twentyfive
Clinging on tightly
- Location
- Over the Hill
Bit damp first thing yesterday but we headed out anyway. We all met up at Powick. Mrs 26, Julian H., little me and a rather late Margaret P-R. As we rode for Martley a couple of attempts at rain didn't get going thankfully. Mrs 26 headed home early as we took to the climb over to Ham Bridge. Then the run along the Teme valley went well. We detoured to view the collapsed bridge at Eastham and then had a look in the church there too. Strangely bees were numerous inside and the sound of buzzing was quite relaxing. Soon we were at TABS cafe refreshing ourselves.
Off westward along the Teme we continued until we turned to climb away to Leysters. Then we took a wonderful lane lined with mature chestnuts. We were able to snatch some lovely views through gaps in the trees. We emerged at Pudleston church and then looped to Grafton church before taking the descent by Thornbury. M was struggling. A sore knee and some climbing were not a good combination and some fatigue didn't help. A brief breather at Bromyard allowed a choice to be made for our route back. The Frome valley with a climb over to the Leigh Brook won out. Jules headed home from Newland while I escorted M most of the way home before looping back myself. Certainly a lovely day out in some wonderful countryside. The weather had just got better and better too. Ideal day for a 81 mile pedal.
Off westward along the Teme we continued until we turned to climb away to Leysters. Then we took a wonderful lane lined with mature chestnuts. We were able to snatch some lovely views through gaps in the trees. We emerged at Pudleston church and then looped to Grafton church before taking the descent by Thornbury. M was struggling. A sore knee and some climbing were not a good combination and some fatigue didn't help. A brief breather at Bromyard allowed a choice to be made for our route back. The Frome valley with a climb over to the Leigh Brook won out. Jules headed home from Newland while I escorted M most of the way home before looping back myself. Certainly a lovely day out in some wonderful countryside. The weather had just got better and better too. Ideal day for a 81 mile pedal.
biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
A nice early morning ride taking the following route Sywell, Holcot,Scaldwell,Lamport,Droughton,Foxwell,Loddington,Great Cransley,Broughton,Pytchley,Orlingbury and home and a total of 28 miles.
Went down a new to me road with some great 30+ mph downhill sections to Droughton which makes a nice addition to the route plus a turning to Maidwell which gives me another route choice in the future .
No other cyclists out this early which always amazes me but hey ho .
Went down a new to me road with some great 30+ mph downhill sections to Droughton which makes a nice addition to the route plus a turning to Maidwell which gives me another route choice in the future .
No other cyclists out this early which always amazes me but hey ho .
srw
It's a bit more complicated than that...
As reported on another thread, I've been signed off work for a bit, so I've done more riding in the last couple of weeks than in the rest of the year to date. Nothing particularly taxing, but hugely enjoyable. It's been a mixture of my usual local loop and some variations, mostly on bikes other than my main road bike. I pottered along the Phoenix trail from Princes Risborough to Thame and back, went from Guildford to Baynards Station on the Downs Link (both on a mountain-bike turned hybrid), and yesterday took off on my Brompton for a ride to St Albans and Rickmansworth, via the Abbey way. As always the Brompton creaks a bit, and the rear wheel spokes need a bit of a look, but the new 8-speed gearing works a treat on the hills around here. It copes admirably with hard-pack gravel, but really struggled on a horrible bit of rough tarmac coming out of the back of Bricket Wood.
I'm now champing at the bit to get back into the office, but am taking doctor's advice and having another week off. So more riding next week!
I'm now champing at the bit to get back into the office, but am taking doctor's advice and having another week off. So more riding next week!
JohnnyRoyal
Senior Member
- Location
- Fareham
I was not going to go today but once you get the cycle bug it Spurs you on to keep on riding and when you have finished you are so glad you went for that ride!
Levo-Lon
Guru
First mtb ride for 2 weeks after radio surgery on a nasty little corn on the insde of my little toe.
warm and intresting as i just parked the van upand went on a cheeky..
scratched to hell and very sweaty..but feel heaps better for managing to cope with the pain in my foot..
sadly the toe is now leaking..ffs the chiropodist said alow a week for it to heal..
warm and intresting as i just parked the van upand went on a cheeky..
scratched to hell and very sweaty..but feel heaps better for managing to cope with the pain in my foot..
sadly the toe is now leaking..ffs the chiropodist said alow a week for it to heal..
twentysix by twentyfive
Clinging on tightly
- Location
- Over the Hill
Just a bit of a leg loosener today as I have a "bit of a ride" tomorrow. So I took it fairly easily around the standard 44 mile loop. The hills seemed to flow beneath my wheels today. I must have been doing something right! As I rode up the Hams I joined a chap called Leon. He was riding Lands End to John O'Groats and seemed to be going very well on his 4th day in. We chatted for quite a few miles before our ways parted. Nice meet up for sure. Another lovely outing today. All set now for tomorrow's monster.
- Location
- Egham
Just returned from a week in the New Forest, managed to ride every day either on my own or with the family. Stayed at Sandy Balls in Godshill, less than ideal location for family riding since it's quite a way to get to any forest trails, but managed 2 rides out with them from the site, and another with the bikes taken out on the van, so an opportunity to ride in the forest itself which was great.
Also less than ideal location for short-ish road rides on my tod, and I think I covered most of the North-West corner, I just didn't have time for anything more than 15 - 20 mile rides which would have allowed a bit more exploring. Still, nice to ride on quiet single track roads with no traffic and interesting wildlife.
Also less than ideal location for short-ish road rides on my tod, and I think I covered most of the North-West corner, I just didn't have time for anything more than 15 - 20 mile rides which would have allowed a bit more exploring. Still, nice to ride on quiet single track roads with no traffic and interesting wildlife.
- Location
- Manchester
I've just realised that I almost did a coast to coast yesterday, LOL! ( I didn't actually go into St. Ives) A 50.2 mile loop from Marazion clockwise around the coast to St Ives then across the county through Nanscledra and Ludgvan to Marazion, then Longrock to return the bike.
I left at 8 o'clock in bright sunshine and 5 mins later it was raining hard. I got soaked and dried out twice in the morning. After a fantastic cafe stop near Sennen, the afternoon was better, but still mixed with drizzle and bright sunshine and big clouds. It was nice on the bits where you could just peddle and make good progress. Most of the ride was either slogging up hills or braking hard, most of the hills were bendy too. The views along the top coast road were amazing.
Between Newlyn and Mousehole, watching the Scillonian sailing from Penzance.
Amazing cafe stop near Sennen Cove and a chance to dry out.
Coming back down to the other side and a view of Mount's Bay.
I left at 8 o'clock in bright sunshine and 5 mins later it was raining hard. I got soaked and dried out twice in the morning. After a fantastic cafe stop near Sennen, the afternoon was better, but still mixed with drizzle and bright sunshine and big clouds. It was nice on the bits where you could just peddle and make good progress. Most of the ride was either slogging up hills or braking hard, most of the hills were bendy too. The views along the top coast road were amazing.
Between Newlyn and Mousehole, watching the Scillonian sailing from Penzance.
Amazing cafe stop near Sennen Cove and a chance to dry out.
Coming back down to the other side and a view of Mount's Bay.
