Milton Keynes to Paddington, via Grand Union Canal

[Tink1978]

Hello
Hubby and I planning to cycle from Milton Keynes to Paddington, via the Grand Union Canal in one day, to raise money for charity, on our 10th Wedding Anniversary.
Has anyone done this route, or part of this route before?
We are wondering how long it's likely to take us in August, leaving at 7am ish.
In my head I'm thinking maybe 9 hours or something, baring in mind the tow paths will likely be busy as it'll be a Saturday during the summer hols, and hopefully warm and dry.
Thanks

 

[L14M]

Done some parts in london. Cyclocross bike is whats needed for that!
If you can average 15mph it wouldn't be too bad i suppose!

 

[TheDoctor]

Averaging 15mph on a canal towpath would be a tall order.
I've ridden (IIRC) from Tring to Watford along the towpath and that took most of the day.
I'd be tempted to make a weekend of it - it's about 65 miles, which is a reasonable days trip on the road, but a real slog on poor surfaces.

 

[midliferider]

I live in close to MK and would consider the possibility?
How far is it?
Can someone please post a link to map?

 

[morrisman]

The towpaths around MK are fine mostly metalled surface, but the moment you head south they are just grass/mud/ruts until you hit Uxbridge. I've done Bulborne to Uxbridge and Uxbridge to Paddington on my hybrid but my average was in the low 10/12mph. MK to Paddington in one day would be an ask, 65 miles of everything from road quality to footpath is very wearing.

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=330627

 

[Bodhbh]

I've done from London up to about Tring. I used to live in Croxley Green in Watford, couple of hundred metres from the towpath, so used it to get about quite a bit. In the built up bits, in summer at weekends it can be a nightmare - they'll be plenty of walkers, fisherman, people just hanging out outside barges. There's some pretty muddy bits also, at least between Tring and just south of Watford. Also, the last 5 miles or so into London there's a fair amount of 'gates' you'll have to deal with. I think they're really supposed to stop people riding mopeds down the towpath, but they're no less inconvienience for the cyclist.

Like others have said, I wouldn't rule it out, but consider an overnight stop halfway, or doing it in the week when you'll have it to yourself. It can get a bit zen just riding down towpath for miles as well.

 

[morrisman]

Good point by @Bodhbh, you could hit a bad day when there is a fishing match on around Marsworth, an angler, with all his/her stuff, every 50 yards for miles will make it a very long day.

 

[Tink1978]

Uh oh! Well the hotel is booked and non refundable and we've already received some sponsors so we have to do it! LOL!
Perhaps there's some alternative routes we can take for part of the route to pick up some speed then.
We are leaving at 7am, so as long as we are there before dark I'll be happy.

 

[L14M]

Bike you guys doing it on?
Liam

 

[Tink1978]

I have a mountain bike with suspension, hubby has a hybrid I think....sorry, not very clued up on bikes. Buying new bikes is not an option, I've only just got mine. We're thinking maybe we are going to need to go part of the way on other paths/roads

 

[Kies]

The bikes will be fine. Suspension adds some weight but on the surface your riding it may work to your advantage.
I would leave at first light do you can have long breaks inbetweeen stages.
Start doing some longer rides in preperation

 

[Bodhbh]

Uh oh! Well the hotel is booked and non refundable and we've already received some sponsors so we have to do it! LOL!
Perhaps there's some alternative routes we can take for part of the route to pick up some speed then.
We are leaving at 7am, so as long as we are there before dark I'll be happy.

Good luck! Take an Airzound for the fishermen!

tbh if you have the whole day you can get in some decent miles before anything is liable to get too busy and not be frustrated by it. At least if there's folk about people watching can liven up the ride.

In terms of being busy on nice summer days, I think the worst section by far is from when you hit Watford, thru Rickmansworth and up to around Maple Cross. There's plenty of permanently moored barges around here and people just seem to like hanging out by the canal on nice days (god knows why - I wouldn't find it relaxing to sit next to a busy towpath). It's not unusual to have people BBQing, sat round in folding chairs, etc. The good news is, should you wish, you can quite easily bypass this via the A421 and pick up the canal again after Maple Cross. The A421 isn't exactly scenic, but it's not too bad either. The canal should calm down after that.

 

[Tink1978]

Yes, we plan to use redway in MK to get a head start and leave early before it gets too busy.
Will be taking a small wee / drink break every hour or so, with a longer break for lunch, and maybe dinner if we've not arrived by dinner time!
Thanks for all the tips!
I'm very excited and nervous!
I'm new to cycling, but have done 2 small 1 hour rides this week already, and planning a 90 min ride tomorrow after work.
Just gonna increase the time a little bit each week or so with a couple of practice runs in June/July of about 50 miles.
Just been told by the 2 charities we are cycling for that they will be sending us free t-shirts so I'm all excited!

 

[morrisman]

Don't go too fast, did it once myself on the GU Aylesbury Arm, overconfident speed through a bridge hole ended up with me still sat on my bike up to my waist in the canal.

 

[Tink1978]

OH! Not good!