Birmingham to London on the towpath
Discussion
I'm cycling along the Grand Union Canal from Birmingham to London in June with a pal.
Anyone done it? We've got 140 miles to do in three days and I'm looking for any B&B recommendations.
We're hoping to do 50 miles on day one and two so somewhere after Northampton and maybe somewhere near the M25 on day 2.
Bike is a Marin Muirwoods 29 with armoured tyres
Anyone done it? We've got 140 miles to do in three days and I'm looking for any B&B recommendations.
We're hoping to do 50 miles on day one and two so somewhere after Northampton and maybe somewhere near the M25 on day 2.
Bike is a Marin Muirwoods 29 with armoured tyres
Not done the whole thing, but ride bits regularly.
I've been thinking about doing it the other way and thought 3 days seemed about right.
I'll have a look at my Strava data but I'm pretty sure I averaged 13mph ish over a 44 mile ride from Uxbridge into Little Venice and back last year, on the CX bike, for reference.
Will be interested in B&B options too!
I've been thinking about doing it the other way and thought 3 days seemed about right.
I'll have a look at my Strava data but I'm pretty sure I averaged 13mph ish over a 44 mile ride from Uxbridge into Little Venice and back last year, on the CX bike, for reference.
Will be interested in B&B options too!
Did the canal paths from Solihull to Lapworth at Christmas - they were in a poor condition. Narrow in places (bushes forcing you to the edge), and deep slimy mud for most of the distance.
Last time I did that ride (a couple of years before), the towpaths had just been maintained. They were covered in a nice sharp stone which enabled you to actually roll in places. This time however, there was no rolling - you had to pedal hard the whole way to overcome the slime.
And the amount of crap/grit that got into the chain and discs made it all grind - we had to dunk the bikes in the canal at the locks (which actually did the trick).
Put me off trying it again.
Last time I did that ride (a couple of years before), the towpaths had just been maintained. They were covered in a nice sharp stone which enabled you to actually roll in places. This time however, there was no rolling - you had to pedal hard the whole way to overcome the slime.
And the amount of crap/grit that got into the chain and discs made it all grind - we had to dunk the bikes in the canal at the locks (which actually did the trick).
Put me off trying it again.
Pit Pony said:
Last time I cycled on a canal tow path, I had a epic 8 puncture experience from hedge trimmings, of the black thorn variety. I ended up having to buy new tyres and inner tubes.
Was just thinking...I went to ride from Uxbridge into Little Venice again in Feb.
This led to a similar experience... used 2 patch kits, 2 spare tubes and ended up with a 5 mile yomp home.
Then spent a good couple of hours with the tyres in the bath removing every last piece of thorn... Which was nice.
I'm fitting Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres with slime tubes. Apart from filling with expanding foam there's not much more I can do..............
Booked a B&B in Weedon for the first night and Kings Langley for the second. I've got to end up in Eltham for a barbecue on the last day so would like to be conscious
Booked a B&B in Weedon for the first night and Kings Langley for the second. I've got to end up in Eltham for a barbecue on the last day so would like to be conscious
If anyone's interested I did the ride last week/end. 170 miles in total and it was great. The towpaths were 99.9% ridable and ranged from 4" of mud to shale paths that went on for miles. We had to detour around one section due to the surface and fifteen miles on squishy grass at the end of day two nearly reduced me to tears but I'd recommend doing it a lot!
Planning next years canal ride now........any suggestions?
Planning next years canal ride now........any suggestions?
AcidRich said:
Planning next years canal ride now........any suggestions?
Pick up where you left off in London, then follow the Thames to Weybridge, and the Wey Navigation. Then head south toward Guildford, and, if you're prepared to stray away from the canals for a bit, you can join it up to the Basingstoke Canal, which'll take you back to Weybridge/London?You'd obviously need to research it more closely, as I've only done the Basingstoke Canal bit and up as far as Weybridge on the Wey, but I can say for certain that the Basingstoke Canal is one of the prettiest waterside routes in the country. The Wey Navigation is mainly the natural course of the river, with canal sections and locks to take account of the slight height differences in the terrain, but there are no 'flights' of locks along it. The Basingstoke Canal no longer goes to Basingstoke, either. The Greywell Tunnel partially collapsed (in the 1930s, I think) and the canal west of Greywell was abandoned.
Another bit to look into is the Wey and Arun Canal, which might open the possibility of further exploration south of Guildford/Godalming.
AcidRich said:
If anyone's interested I did the ride last week/end. 170 miles in total and it was great. The towpaths were 99.9% ridable and ranged from 4" of mud to shale paths that went on for miles. We had to detour around one section due to the surface and fifteen miles on squishy grass at the end of day two nearly reduced me to tears but I'd recommend doing it a lot!
Planning next years canal ride now........any suggestions?
Good work!Planning next years canal ride now........any suggestions?
I regularly ride between birmimgham and lapworth and have thought about going further. It's good to know that its passable for most of the route.
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