Leeds/Liverpool Canal - where to start?

[Kay]

Hi there,

My hubby and I are planning to cycle the Leeds/Liverpool Canal on 10/11th July. My hubby is convinced that we should get the longest stint of about 70 miles done on the first day (i.e. Leeds to Finnington - which is where we live) but I'm concerned that doing it this way we won't be taking advantage of the prevailing westerly wind. We did a training ride yesterday (Nelson to Gargrave and back - 26 miles) and I have to say I struggled a bit on the rougher terrain in a strong wind.

Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks
Kay x
ps. we've already covered Apperley Bridge to Gargrave (including manoevering around the two tunnels) on training rides, so i'll happily answer any questions on this

 

[peanut]

Hi there,

My hubby and I are planning to cycle the Leeds/Liverpool Canal on 10/11th July. My hubby is convinced that we should get the longest stint of about 70 miles done on the first day (i.e. Leeds to Finnington - which is where we live) but I'm concerned that doing it this way we won't be taking advantage of the prevailing westerly wind. We did a training ride yesterday (Nelson to Gargrave and back - 26 miles) and I have to say I struggled a bit on the rougher terrain in a strong wind.

Thanks
Kay x
ps. we've already covered Apperley Bridge to Gargrave (including manoevering around the two tunnels) on training rides, so i'll happily answer any questions on this

70 miles a day on a rough cycle path on presumably MTB type bikes sounds a tad optimistic to me. Why are you attempting such a long distance in one day ? it surely won't be pleasureable if there is anything more than a stiff breeze or some rain.

I would cut it down to a more reasonable 50 miles which will be less demanding and more enjoyable. Even that could take 4x hours without allowing for a few stops to have some food and take some pics and enjoy the scenery.

Looking forward to seeing some pictures of the locks etc

 

[Kay]

Thanks Peanut. We plan to cover the 127m in two days. Yes it's ambitious and yes I can't say I'm not praying for good weather. We aim to begin at around 7am and calculate that we can comfortably average 7.5mph. With short stops and allowing for any castasrophes (my worst fear is falling in!) we reckon we can be home on the first day by 4/5pm. I'll certainly post some pics and let you know the final amount raised for the Multiple Sclerosis Soceity (already in excess of £1000). Thanks again for your reply. x

 

[peanut]

well done for making the ride to raise funds for MS . Mrs peanut has a good friend with the disease which is simply devastating to watch the deterioration over the years.
Glad to see that you have set yourself a nice steady pace it should be a nice ride if the weather holds.
Good luck

 

[Cathryn]

We did this a few years ago, from Liverpool to Leeds over a weekend. It's flipping tough - my bottom has never hurt more.

The link to our journal is below. It might help.
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3Tzut&doc_id=2587&v=3A

 

[PaulB]

As you'll have noticed yesterday, the prevailing wind was horrible and would have been in your face in the opposite direction to what you might have thought so you just can't tell. Still, I met a couple of brave souls on the canal yesterday at Rishton who had left Liverpool at 4.38am and planned to be in Leeds by about 7pm having done it in one day! There are also some good sections between Burnley and Barnoldswick but there are some horrible, rough, muddy and narrow sections around the Blackburn area. I can't see you falling in though.

 

[marinyork]

I'm only familiar with sections of it; 70 miles is ambitious but doable. I wish you the best of luck with your ride and fundraising.

 

[Kay]

Thanks to everyone who posted so far. Cathryn your journal made great reading - thanks so much. You seem young and fit and though I consider myself a tough cookie for a 51 yr old grandma, I wonder now whether I have bitten off more than I can chew? Eeeek! I am sooooo determined though and would be devastated to fail. Pray for the good weather for us ok? I guess there will be lots of people on these forums doing their bit for charity, however if any kind soul fancies sponsoring me they can do so by clicking on this link. I'd be grateful for even just a quid! xxx
http://beatms.mssociety.org.uk/netcommunity/kaycarson

 

[PaulB]

Pray for the good weather for us ok?

That might not be such a good idea if you think about it. The good weather brings people out and you'll do twice the distance as you have to cycle round them or slow down behind them on numerous occasions. Swings and roundabouts, innit?

 

[Kay]

That might not be such a good idea if you think about it. The good weather brings people out and you'll do twice the distance as you have to cycle round them or slow down behind them on numerous occasions. Swings and roundabouts, innit?

Yes Paul, I agree entirely. It's very tricky when it's busy and something we've had to contend with on our training rides. Some people simply don't respond to our bike bells (unfortunately especially elderly folks) but on the whole we've found walkers very accommodating. A big thank you and an even bigger smile goes a long way when you pass them. It's the unleashed dogs that cause most problems often wandering straight in front you. So yes, I guess that will slow us down if the weather is good, but rather that than the driving wind and rain. 'Brave souls at Rishton' bet in the wind they found that stretch between Whitebirk and Rishton heavy going yesterday. I've done that stretch a good few times now - maybe I'll bump into you (well hopefully not literally lol) when I'm out and about. x

 

[colly]

Me and my mrs have done sections of the L/L canal but only the Eastern end from around Bingley to Castleford.

It's slow going at times what with walkers and anglers etc. You are doing it on weekdays so here's hoping you won't be seeing too many other people on the towpath.
70 miles in one stint on a towpath would make for a long day but I suppose you can take as many stops as you like. I doubt you will be pressed for time.
If it takes 8 or 9 hours including time outs I think you would be ok.

Hope the weather holds for you. Have a good couple of days.

 

[yenrod]

All the best !!!!!!! can be bumpy.

Ive done a section of this and it was better going faster BUT over that distance...

 

[Cathryn]

Thanks to everyone who posted so far. Cathryn your journal made great reading - thanks so much. You seem young and fit and though I consider myself a tough cookie for a 51 yr old grandma, I wonder now whether I have bitten off more than I can chew? Eeeek! I am sooooo determined though and would be devastated to fail. Pray for the good weather for us ok? I guess there will be lots of people on these forums doing their bit for charity, however if any kind soul fancies sponsoring me they can do so by clicking on this link. I'd be grateful for even just a quid! xxx
http://beatms.mssociety.org.uk/netcommunity/kaycarson

Glad it helped. I was younger and fitter when I did it!! It's not hard - it's flat - but it is long and it IS bumpy. Personally, if you can do it in one additional day, I think you'll enjoy it more.

If you're set on it though...early start, great padded shorts and gloves, lots of cake and shedloads of determination will get you through.

 

[Globalti]

My advice - fit a bell but don't expect older walkers to hear it. Fit some commuter tyres if you can and pump them up hard - nothing wastes energy more than wide knobbly MTB tyres. Let me know if I can do anything to support as I live near Blackburn, ferrying food, bike repairs, spare tubes, or any other help. Send a PM and I'll give you my cellphone number.

BTW shouldn't you start at the new link through Liverpool docks?

 

[PaulB]

Yes Paul, I agree entirely. It's very tricky when it's busy and something we've had to contend with on our training rides. Some people simply don't respond to our bike bells (unfortunately especially elderly folks) but on the whole we've found walkers very accommodating. A big thank you and an even bigger smile goes a long way when you pass them. It's the unleashed dogs that cause most problems often wandering straight in front you. So yes, I guess that will slow us down if the weather is good, but rather that than the driving wind and rain. 'Brave souls at Rishton' bet in the wind they found that stretch between Whitebirk and Rishton heavy going yesterday. I've done that stretch a good few times now - maybe I'll bump into you (well hopefully not literally lol) when I'm out and about. x

Unlike RR, I can't be around next week as it's my cousins 50th so I'm going to spend it with her but if I could have, I'd have been happy to help or guide you over my (very easy) section between Barrowford and Gargrave. Good luck and I hope you get the weather you need!