Tapping into your local knowledge mark, how would you say the ride is from Leeds to Barnoldswick? Was wondering if it might be a good way to get to the
Ribble Valley.
Leeds to Silsden is now 90% well surfaced, flat and stable, short rough sections only prior to Apperley Bridge and around Thackley, I've notice road bikes on it since the recent upgrades. Skipton to Barlick is also fine and a lovely ride from Gargrave. Even in the wet it's fine, but if it is wet then your problem is from Silsden to Skipton IMO.
From Lodge HIll Bridge (194) the stable surface vanishes and is replaced by mud and grass, sloping towards the water..............in dry weather I ride it on a hybrid with 35mm's without any problem. But in wet weather it's horrible, you need a MTB and even then, one of those isn't going to help much the nearer you get to Skipton, it's very rough with umpteen slippery-as-ice tree roots across the path. I've done it in the wet but spent more time walking than riding and arrived in Skipton a muddy mess. Sometimes I hop onto the adjacent A629 road, but it's a busy road, not particularly enjoyable.
Tip:- Right at Lodge Hill Bridge is a farm and leading from that is another cycle route (stone steps drop from the towpath into the farm yard), this route goes along a well surfaced path into Silsden and is a lovely scenic ride, you cut out a couple of miles of the horrible towpath and get to eat fish and chips by the river in Silsden before rejoining the canal towpath.