tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54387733394354173852024-03-12T22:23:22.477-07:00A Cycling Blog for The Leeds & Liverpool CanalA pretty boring blog of my cycling commute along part of the canal. Some of the entries detail my attempt to cycle the whole canal in a day (click on the "Whole Canal" label to see those posts)Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-23288020768246461122013-06-01T05:24:00.002-07:002013-06-01T05:25:29.544-07:00The end....I've got a new job! :)<br />
<br />
Unfortunately I won't be on the canal anymore..... so here ends the blog!<br />
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I'll leave it online for now for anyone thinking of riding the whole canal. Hopefully there are some useful snippets of information under the relevant label (over there on the right.)<br />
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:)Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-64569389527084630042013-03-23T03:34:00.001-07:002013-03-23T03:35:01.648-07:00In other news...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaDQl8cYhFbY8ceetqCwJeEh4q4ybpvQxN7tJCNdTDwzrQkrNlRxhElIPMScDqSLZvHQghMWBJoQ8ome8j3-YJ7XoMBQGc4lDMjlPwLgOHtWhCA0lXnGX8YXH_wWIQLDvHGctKq1BVNY/s1600/running2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaDQl8cYhFbY8ceetqCwJeEh4q4ybpvQxN7tJCNdTDwzrQkrNlRxhElIPMScDqSLZvHQghMWBJoQ8ome8j3-YJ7XoMBQGc4lDMjlPwLgOHtWhCA0lXnGX8YXH_wWIQLDvHGctKq1BVNY/s320/running2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
... I've not been cycling in for a few weeks. The bike needs some maintenance and I've taken to running in once a week instead for a while.Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-80896090689785944422013-03-23T03:31:00.002-07:002013-03-23T03:35:32.240-07:00Crane finally removed from the Leeds Liverpool Canal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://mortons.mortonsmedia.net/media/u/298_1987555552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://mortons.mortonsmedia.net/media/u/298_1987555552.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Ha.. I can't quite believe what a big job this was. It took the best part of a month to sort out. Look at the size of that crane! It makes the other one look like a Dinky toy.<br />
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Source: <a href="http://www.towpathtalk.co.uk/news/crane-removed-from-leeds-liverpool-canal-" target="_blank">http://www.towpathtalk.co.uk</a><br />
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Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-86556418983635744032013-02-11T01:33:00.001-08:002013-02-11T01:33:30.734-08:00#leedsliverpool canal<p>Towpath closed at Apperley Bridge and Canal Road, Leeds. </p>
Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-49464848624957952332013-02-11T01:32:00.001-08:002013-03-23T03:37:02.164-07:00Bottom bracket fixed but.. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS3O0cwJjTUsz8yYgx2w_MXpa2ZYPoXsrKaBN6oL55nwxO-nGF2HQ" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS3O0cwJjTUsz8yYgx2w_MXpa2ZYPoXsrKaBN6oL55nwxO-nGF2HQ" width="200" /></a></div>
... It seems to have been the actual pedal making the cranking sound. <br />
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Looks like another trip to Halfords is on the cards.Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-87224063186437842672013-02-05T09:13:00.001-08:002013-02-05T09:17:27.317-08:00Oops.. <p>.. i fell off my bike yesterday (on the towpath). Luckily no injuries or onlookers but my new banana yellow jacket took on a new muddy look! </p>
<p>.. and (in unrelated news) my bottom bracket has gone :(</p>
<p>also, hardest ride home ever. Very strong wind, very cold, very wet and plenty of horizontal hail... #lovedit </p>
Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-22510064224374660752013-02-04T02:07:00.001-08:002013-02-17T06:48:10.749-08:00This looked eerie in the dark this morning.. BBC Look North (@BBCLookNorth) tweeted at 5:22 PM on Fri, Feb 01, 2013: Crane falls into Leeds-Liverpool canal at Apperley Bridge during an attempt to remove & replace gates at Dobson Locks http://t.co/WglxsrGw (https://twitter.com/BBCLookNorth/status/297394479067959296)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7ttv-OZy76BFcUCLqbUSUsryiqgomJQ7RKd-ZZU0F5RjueOtCUSMlE450448lh6gKQDjWrio5mgbDWumNLtBjkgnfQ5mdLI9nnzz6XA4gmp9i2mC2BqJ-T8EL65TjduWDOuWKcf4RGWF/s1600/proxy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7ttv-OZy76BFcUCLqbUSUsryiqgomJQ7RKd-ZZU0F5RjueOtCUSMlE450448lh6gKQDjWrio5mgbDWumNLtBjkgnfQ5mdLI9nnzz6XA4gmp9i2mC2BqJ-T8EL65TjduWDOuWKcf4RGWF/s400/proxy.jpg" width="400" /> </a> </div>
Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-73530679448619510052013-01-29T00:00:00.001-08:002013-01-29T00:12:20.798-08:00On the road... <p>... and I flew in today! </p>
<p>The A65 was quiet at 6am and I made good time to Leeds.</p>
<p>Had a mile on the canal before Harley Davidson to see what it was like and all of the ice has now gone. </p>
<p>Next week back to the towpath. I ill just have to cycle the detour at Apperley Bridge. </p>
<p>nb. must check online to see how long it's closed for. </p>
Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-40452568087019925812013-01-28T05:54:00.000-08:002013-01-28T05:55:35.446-08:00Wow.. ice cycling, the new Olympic sport!After not making it onto the towpath last week (I did run in one day so wasn't completely lazy) I was back on track this morning.<br />
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It was a challenging trip though. After a short delay because of some unexplained clanking on my bike, the towpath at Apperley Bridge was closed. This forced me to reroute up the road towards Sainsburys at Greengates and then head left towards the Stanningley Bypass (two pretty big hills!)<br />
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Soon enough I was back onto the towpath at Rodley but it was ice, ice, ice from there on in.<br />
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The snow had part melted and then frozen leaving smooth, icy, footprints and bumps across the towpath along large stretches. Eh? I thought eveything was meant to have melted yesterday?!?!<br />
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I passed another cyclist walking (as was soon after) but I kept on pushing it. The two bridges by the marina coming into Leeds were awful and I had to pull myself up them using the handrail before slip sliding back down the other side.<br />
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I didn't fall off when I was on the bike but had quite a few close shaves. It was just crazy ice. I was running late and very likely to go crashing into the water so I left the towpath and came down past Armley Prison, tired.<br />
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600 calories of porridge sorted me out. See you tomorrow.Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-62517882269029803552013-01-15T11:48:00.001-08:002013-01-28T05:57:59.804-08:00Puncture <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YBXg9h-20svGK1f4eF1kQtNNBHx45d7PP9rpIhfO5Hp08MhZmkCbX7HVIz0Dym5VAaPH4TK2md6FQvwte46uJGPIlMJq6fxpev9mD7tqcZC0PP-6v53WvY32F4m7mJTDzhEIbBhxxVIc/s1600/Bicycle-Flat-Tire-03.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YBXg9h-20svGK1f4eF1kQtNNBHx45d7PP9rpIhfO5Hp08MhZmkCbX7HVIz0Dym5VAaPH4TK2md6FQvwte46uJGPIlMJq6fxpev9mD7tqcZC0PP-6v53WvY32F4m7mJTDzhEIbBhxxVIc/s200/Bicycle-Flat-Tire-03.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
Oh balls.... a puncture!<br />
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My first for 2000 miles.<br />
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First spare tube... faulty valve.<br />
Second spare tube... accidentally holed in anger.<br />
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Taxi!! <br />
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EDIT - fixed. The tyre had ripped at the side exposing the tube.Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-49812430525558466832013-01-15T00:32:00.001-08:002013-01-15T13:53:12.747-08:00Breakfast.. -4<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">°C</span> this morning. A hard ride in breaking the icy puddles as I went.<br />
2 bowls of porridge, 2 bananas and some branflakes should see me right. Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-76347970926299993922013-01-14T01:03:00.001-08:002013-01-15T13:59:43.668-08:00Snow <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.seizingmyday.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMG_4378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://www.seizingmyday.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMG_4378.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Not too bad this morning.<br />
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The snow slowed me down a bit though.<br />
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The footprints made it interesting to see what else / who else uses the towpath before dawn... quite a selection! Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-20788199664775336242013-01-08T14:23:00.001-08:002013-01-08T14:29:44.146-08:00Happy New Year (belated) <p>Cycled last Wednesday,  yesterday and today.  Good to be back on the bike although my legs are tired after a run at the weekend too. </p>
<p>I will only be able to manage 2 bike commutes a week for a while due to work and home commitments but at least it'll go someway to sorting the extra Christmas pounds.</p>
<p>In a few months time I should cross the 3000 mile mark which will be good.  That's nearly 2,500 accident free miles (although two idiots did their best to squash me last week!)</p>
<p>Nothing exciting on the canal at the mo.  A closure  at Rodley and works at Esholt along with the first rats of my commuting  life. </p>
<p>Bye. </p>
Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-88445423026838835622012-11-20T05:02:00.001-08:002012-11-20T05:02:14.928-08:00Mud rating: 7 :)Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-30940843430305066122012-11-12T12:21:00.001-08:002012-11-12T12:21:33.981-08:00That's better..<div><p>After last week's soft tire trouble, the bike was back on form today and I flew into work and then home again.</p>
<p>I'm back! (and it's cold and wet enough to be interesting again!)</p>
</div>Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-1312369984383818102012-10-02T03:51:00.001-07:002012-10-02T03:51:29.945-07:00T-shirt weather ...<div><p>.. this morning although my toes were f freezing. Nice and muddy. Nothing exciting happened. Great sunrise but phone buried in rucksack so no photo.</p>
<p>Was meant to cycle last week but spoke broke. Only 85p to fix it but kept forgetting to drop off at Halfords....</p>
<p>Nice to have the lights back on properly. Dazzled a few dog walkers.</p>
<p>Bored now.. </p>
</div>Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-33810803106563107552012-09-01T17:00:00.000-07:002012-09-06T06:03:29.734-07:00Scouts<div>
- Had a great trip today. 15 miles up the towpath (with some scouts and dads for fish and chips at Skipton) and then back again. 125 miles this week. Tired..</div>
Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-4121752653279904372012-08-29T01:00:00.001-07:002012-08-29T01:03:13.713-07:00I wonder how many people...<div><p>I wonder how many people saw a swimming deer, a kingfisher, 4 herons, a jay and 2 dippers on their commute to work this morning?</p>
</div>Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-84831451877292832202012-08-28T12:09:00.001-07:002012-08-28T12:09:36.484-07:00Sorry..<div><p>.. I know I wasn't going to post anything else boring this week but .... </p>
<p>My legs are knackered! Tomorrow's going to be hard and Thursday, Friday more so.</p>
<p>Also, I've just remembered we're cycling the footpath to Skipton on Saturday with the Scouts .... :|</p>
</div>Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-494941675705564532012-08-28T04:43:00.001-07:002012-08-28T04:43:55.502-07:00Riding again.<div><p>Well, back in the saddle after 4 weeks.</p>
<p>Maybe it's just because I was tired after my camping holiday but my legs were slow today. Surely it can't still be tiredness from the Liverpool to Leeds trip !?!</p>
<p>Lovely sunny morning though and incredibly wet under foot which made for an enjoyable and muddy ride in.</p>
<p>Kit washed in the shower and hung outside to dry before tonight's trip home. It really adds something to the look of the office car park!</p>
<p>Will try to cycle every day this week but I promise not to update the blog with boring nonsense every afternoon (just today) !</p>
</div>Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-87862150639947874402012-07-29T09:27:00.002-07:002012-07-29T09:28:36.252-07:00The Big Day<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjVywy0p3ZgyuUWOCsMWsqLvqATGVkUMedWSIRXjWo62Pmy2StceN-oj9NvuFfyXQM6KIgyyRxo7aJkQYes3Yumk87mJWH98Ue028shW7Z49PWuGOJNFYB_zdV8G9cgPzZ8aKAnjOnznY/s1600/station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjVywy0p3ZgyuUWOCsMWsqLvqATGVkUMedWSIRXjWo62Pmy2StceN-oj9NvuFfyXQM6KIgyyRxo7aJkQYes3Yumk87mJWH98Ue028shW7Z49PWuGOJNFYB_zdV8G9cgPzZ8aKAnjOnznY/s320/station.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leeds</td></tr>
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Having arrived at the YHA in Liverpool at 20:30 I booked in and put my bike away in the shed ready for the morning. It didn't need any more work on it but I adjusted the saddle and pumped the tyres up a bit because it had been unused for a couple of weeks.<br />
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The YHA itself was fantastic. I mentioned to the chap that I was going straight to bed (after one of their bottles of beer) and getting up early so he found an empty dorm for me and said he'd try to book others in elsewhere. He did. For £16 I had a large en suite dorm to myself - perfect.<br />
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After sorting my kit out (photo) I settled down for the night. As predicted, I didn't sleep much and so finally, at 3am, I decided to get up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VdJFk5mvvfrAtMaYKFU6cF0OquKjJuqWV39_fR9cHBVdonbagfL8cb8Y2bjaNsi09zQalCUa_GjBIpo8O_suCADGr8YjveQNItpC9ybGeK95cb7bd8fOjuQbu8gRov2c427olQEUAX_g/s1600/IMG_20120727_205837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VdJFk5mvvfrAtMaYKFU6cF0OquKjJuqWV39_fR9cHBVdonbagfL8cb8Y2bjaNsi09zQalCUa_GjBIpo8O_suCADGr8YjveQNItpC9ybGeK95cb7bd8fOjuQbu8gRov2c427olQEUAX_g/s320/IMG_20120727_205837.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YHA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Breakfast consisted of a bottle of Lucozade, 2 bagels and a pre-workout energy bar. That did the job! After fetching my bike and attaching the lights I cycled the 2 miles across town to the start of the canal. At 03:45, the streets were still dotted with revellers from the night before but they left me alone and I reached the canal at 04:00.<br />
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I'd printed out and laminated a few, small (A6), maps for the trip. The first one, was just big enough to show Liverpool Lime Street, the YHA and the start of the canal. It certainly navigation hassle free. The other maps were for navigating around the 2 tunnels (Gannow and Foulridge) either side of Burnley. I also had the mile matrix from Tow Path Treks with me.<br />
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The start of the canal was odd. It just starts, from nothing, behind a new housing estate. I'm used to riding the dark canal at night, with lights, but heading out of a strange city was definitely a bit eerie. Thankfully I didn't see anyone for at least 30 minutes until I came across fisherman who loomed out of the darkness. He made some comment about my "F'ing aggressive lights". - Haha - Smile and wave boys. Smile and wave :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiUykfVn0-L3RdpHjEZkZ2B3dPWYfQKY8irBhT5oZDyx7WGghkZ8hvalOFDzmgF6o3eCXEcV17RNUITSv8BPWtasWRtaWscJAT_mUGn8X6jGdF21oJ5cpB-BbuDRf_acLX3-TMiYHr-oc/s1600/IMG_20120728_053308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiUykfVn0-L3RdpHjEZkZ2B3dPWYfQKY8irBhT5oZDyx7WGghkZ8hvalOFDzmgF6o3eCXEcV17RNUITSv8BPWtasWRtaWscJAT_mUGn8X6jGdF21oJ5cpB-BbuDRf_acLX3-TMiYHr-oc/s320/IMG_20120728_053308.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1.5 hrs in</td></tr>
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My plan for the route was to stop briefly every 90 minutes for a drink and cereal / energy bar. At 05:30 I had my first stop. No idea where it was but it felt like I'd made good time. Someone had forced open most of the bike gates so my progress was not impeded.<br />
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I can't remember enough to give you a mile by mile account (it'd probably be pretty boring anyhow). From this point until Wigan the towpath altered between thin, gravelly track and grassy, dry, mud. I nearly came off a couple of times as the wheel edged into the side of a deep rut and flipped me sideways. Luckily I stayed on but at one point my right knee jarred and this was going to give me some pain for the rest of the journey.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5SPC7SqI36pn7kculZGIDY-RPOzhyicYwBG1Dl3TBmlCZ_ISDMMcVVk3rZ6Tuzi0M07TH12aa7NopPIOdyQcogSr9IKnxhWhZPtMiYzFqYkXMyS4SBZiX-cxsNJ3Ad9Gg0l48NZ0E-s5/s1600/IMG_20120728_071033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5SPC7SqI36pn7kculZGIDY-RPOzhyicYwBG1Dl3TBmlCZ_ISDMMcVVk3rZ6Tuzi0M07TH12aa7NopPIOdyQcogSr9IKnxhWhZPtMiYzFqYkXMyS4SBZiX-cxsNJ3Ad9Gg0l48NZ0E-s5/s320/IMG_20120728_071033.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wigan</td></tr>
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The countryside opened up nicely towards Parbold and by the time I got to Wigan I was hoping for some smooth towpath and boy did Wigan deliver! Apart from the ridiculous number of locks they built for me to climb, the towpath right from the outskirts through to the other side was fantastic. Cobbled like a new driveway. Other blogs have mentioned the bike gates in Wigan and I can concur that they are a royal pain in the arse. Rather than fiddle with the awkard contraptions I lifted my bike over and then walked around.<br />
<br />
From Wigan, a few things of note happened before I reached the halfway point at Church. First of all, there was a rain shower which threatened to make things a bit tougher. Luckily it soon petered out and left me cooler and refreshed. At around this point my knee was becoming increasingly painful and so was my backside. Stupidly I'd forgotten to apply my Vaseline before setting off. I also had a clatter under a bridge which made it worse and bumped my chain off as the wheel got stuck between some cobbles. Bridges actually caused a few problems (mainly in built up areas) where there was a lot of glass. On numerous occasions I had to jump off and carry my bike to safety. Before reaching Church I also had the displeasure of seeing the canal side in Blackburn. Now, Blackburn might be a nice place but viewing it from the canal, it looked like a complete dump. Dirty, ugly and unfriendly. Unsurprisingly this was where most of the glass was. I felt more uncomfortable riding through Blackburn in daylight than I did Liverpool in the dark.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLEIbDD9wG4iTsVTOhg8jMlxW7SSN_6QItsOoR15-YIFNbnd-J1rbfLa_rRiikevW5Ecqqu3gJCMNHFESShaU44IPTfy0DAiwjiSurPvj1Dr4LjS7ZfpXUIh7DERGjjpeowSD8hfBERD8/s1600/1343508180-picsay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLEIbDD9wG4iTsVTOhg8jMlxW7SSN_6QItsOoR15-YIFNbnd-J1rbfLa_rRiikevW5Ecqqu3gJCMNHFESShaU44IPTfy0DAiwjiSurPvj1Dr4LjS7ZfpXUIh7DERGjjpeowSD8hfBERD8/s320/1343508180-picsay.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half way</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Arriving at Church was nice. They've made a real effort with the half way point and you can't fail to miss the large metal displays next to the mile marker. I wasn't going to stay long but decided to rest and take some paracetamol and ibuprofen for the pain whilst stretching my legs. The swans had a little bit of my oaty bar and I took a couple of photos and had a whole bottle of Lucozade.<br />
<br />
The half way point proved to be a real boost. I'd been flagging for half an hour or so and was aware that my positive thoughts had become a bit more negative. Every little frustration had been getting on my nerves and I'd quietly been swearing at some of the people I'd passed who looked grumpy, did not exchange hellos or failed to move over enough. The pain (alternating between knee and backside - but never both together?!?) and dehydration were probably to blame. However, after my stop in Church I was a new man. The pain subsided and I was flying towards Burnley... and lunch!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVO0c8o_YzuYUb4bhJetLD8z3GaBGZeZ868-SM_cBWVKgXqcdhMMdXH-cLdehDZSfwPdrDZDPx08PDHNT21yMI8KmKJpaX5750frGlrpMf-jux_l4zkjYmmsW9PZ7vbWhyphenhyphenmea8VLhtv-w/s1600/IMG_20120728_111624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVO0c8o_YzuYUb4bhJetLD8z3GaBGZeZ868-SM_cBWVKgXqcdhMMdXH-cLdehDZSfwPdrDZDPx08PDHNT21yMI8KmKJpaX5750frGlrpMf-jux_l4zkjYmmsW9PZ7vbWhyphenhyphenmea8VLhtv-w/s320/IMG_20120728_111624.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gannow Tunnel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The plan was to stop at the large Tescos in Burnley (right by the canal), eat my ready meals and buy more Lucozade. I quickly found my way around Gannow tunnel and powered on. After rounding a corner and seeing a long, straight, mile of canal I realised that I'd made a mistake and flown straight past Tescos. I wasn't going to turn back though and was quite pleased because I was enjoying the solitude on the canal. It was going to be another 7 miles to Foulridge and I knew there would be a shop there. I had half a bottle of Lucozade left and figured that should be fine. I was still feeling great after my Church stop.<br />
<br />
Foulridge tunnel appeared at the end of a pleasant stretch of towpath in glorious sunshine. I passed some happy pensioners who were pleased to step aside and before long had zipped through the country lanes and free-wheeled down into Foulridge (with the help of my preprinted map). Unfortunately the cafe didn't have any Lucozade (oops) so I bought 5 bottles of water and a couple of Mars Bars before pressing on.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxIoWvSGJ68nQxSxZkXHsECUGPjiAC3J_ZHiMrH-Yg65jLVwHDe7TXY97OoBLI5XasEQZ1GmLp87OIKnpD1t3Fn-HbMvVFtNQ_wiy6J-3fWVdSBp1hw-iomuqIk5mt7Tg9cgB2Mp5oVaQ/s1600/IMG_20120728_121324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxIoWvSGJ68nQxSxZkXHsECUGPjiAC3J_ZHiMrH-Yg65jLVwHDe7TXY97OoBLI5XasEQZ1GmLp87OIKnpD1t3Fn-HbMvVFtNQ_wiy6J-3fWVdSBp1hw-iomuqIk5mt7Tg9cgB2Mp5oVaQ/s320/IMG_20120728_121324.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foulridge Tunnel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From this point on I knew the route but had never been here with such tired legs and a tired mind. The towpath from Foulridge to Silsden (via Barnoldswick, Gargrave and Skipton) is horrible. It starts with very rough, rocky track, followed by long, exposed, switchback sections of grass and then deep rutted grass and mud. My arms and wrists took a terrible pounding (hardtail bike). Sometimes you just have to put your head down and grind out the miles.<br />
<br />
Just before Gargrave I decided to stop. I still hadn't had my ready meals and I was really fed up. After an All Day Breakfast, a Chicken Casserole and some Kendal Mint Cake I was buzzing again. I'd also had a boost from checking my text messages. It turns out that the tracker I had set to automatically update my blog had stooped working at 5am and my wife thought I was floating dead in the canal somewhere near Aintree.... I re-established contact and they said they wanted to wave as I passed by somewhere before Leeds. I sent a text back suggesting Bingley but only if they wanted to and possibly in a couple of hours time. That was great but I didn't know if they were going to be there. With fatigue setting in I was really looking forward to seeing my wife and children before the final 16 miles but would they be waiting? Arrgh, if they're not there, it's going to be horrible...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGMK-4xf3-vxnx-tyTVMG2WiRtwjNDBR8sS3hxh80r4IXFJmtbnVOq2gSy5DysjolrQC9sg9XPNn2RMIbq4gYwl089b6lQZqpRzTpvLHNt0K5Pi80vscDXX33I7AQPv3R97iiAWoouNmr/s1600/1343507766-picsay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGMK-4xf3-vxnx-tyTVMG2WiRtwjNDBR8sS3hxh80r4IXFJmtbnVOq2gSy5DysjolrQC9sg9XPNn2RMIbq4gYwl089b6lQZqpRzTpvLHNt0K5Pi80vscDXX33I7AQPv3R97iiAWoouNmr/s400/1343507766-picsay.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">16 miles to go</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
... As I rounded the corner towards Bingley 5 Rise Locks I saw the dog first and then started to recognise the people standing nearby. My wife, the children and my neighbours (with 2 of their nephews). How great was that?! I was chuffed to bits. Mike and Di (neighbours) had brought me some water and Mars Bars and Bec and the kids had brought some big smiles and a few hugs. 111 miles done and just 16 (and a bit) to go.<br />
<br />
The next 16 miles were pretty straight forward. Hard because I know every inch from Shipley to Leeds but easy because I could visualise the final stretch. I spent the time thinking about the last lock and the McDonalds that was going to follow.<br />
<br />
At 17:47 I reached the end of the canal having started at exactly 04:04. In total I probably stopped for about an hour. I don't think I've ever sat on something for 13 hours straight - let alone a bike!<br />
<br />
After a quick cycle back to the office (to get the car) and a 1/4 Pounder Meal, I headed for home.<br />
<br />
What a day. I was lucky with the weather but I think I did pretty well. I didn't have any mechanical failures, I had enough fuel and I knew enough about the route to keep the demons at bay when times got hard.<br />
<br />
<b>If you're thinking of doing the same</b>, check out the various blogs online for ideas and tips. Google Streetview is great for visualising where you start and end, as well as working out how to get around the tunnels with the minimum of fuss. It really felt like I'd been to some of these places before. I like planning and left nothing to chance. <span style="background-color: white;">I took plenty of kit with me and needed very little of it. If I was doing it next weekend I'd take the same stuff again (see kit list earlier in blog). As an individual, I'm fairly self sufficient and had not planned on seeing anyone I knew en route. The boost I had at Bingley though, when family and friends turned up, was great! Above all, it's so important to take on enough fluids and calories.If you're going to stop every 90 minutes, do it. Don't wait for a quieter or prettier bit of canal.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA455aWXgi716CXrnxV-h4JP6e95r457PuIoSIJa89-ycsDLLjFM-5o-mT2r_gkNRPmiOON_vABzE29GToXM0AK0b4L3p2T6zLEeFlcjl8tigamL9qPSDuX6yjcVVcIR5JLCaXZOUCCDD2/s1600/IMG_20120728_175252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA455aWXgi716CXrnxV-h4JP6e95r457PuIoSIJa89-ycsDLLjFM-5o-mT2r_gkNRPmiOON_vABzE29GToXM0AK0b4L3p2T6zLEeFlcjl8tigamL9qPSDuX6yjcVVcIR5JLCaXZOUCCDD2/s320/IMG_20120728_175252.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">Thanks to everyone who has sponsored me. Thinking about the money raised, my family and especially my sister kept me going.</span><br />
<br />
Thanks also to <a href="http://www.towpathtreks.co.uk/">www.towpathtreks.co.uk</a> for the invaluable advice and links on their site.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-503270519136696922012-07-26T13:51:00.001-07:002012-07-29T05:08:08.701-07:00All packed.<div>
Excited and a little bit nervous :)<br />
Carrying 4,500 calories to get me to Burnley... should be plenty!<br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGRIxnqlkUwJU0dpyGqsLxRPFDL5pe1dLzFM4akaFLVoTSwjSrxLDF7h6Ki_f4gQlNMgv_WQ7ipM6MzOW-cNDbXqneczpRfThygTTKiGdA9MNEUWpa9hvlZeBNRCgUk8trqNKH7k7eUjP/" /></div>Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-68162692641410721592012-07-26T10:36:00.000-07:002012-08-02T06:01:08.942-07:00Kit ListThis is a list of everything I took with me.<br />
(in no particular order)<br />
<br />
<b style="background-color: white;">Clothing</b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; white-space: pre;"><b> </b></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><b style="background-color: white;">Fuel</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
waterproof trousers<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>2 x bagels (breakfast)<br />
waterproof jacket<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>2x preworkout carb bars<br />
waterproof socks<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>12 energy cereal bars<br />
waterproof gloves<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>2x ready meals<br />
cycling tights (padded)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Kendal mint cake<br />
spare socks<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Jelly Babies<br />
trainers<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Mars Bar<br />
shorts (to travel in)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>5 x Lucozade (500ml) (buy more at Burnley)<br />
wicking top<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"></span><br />
<b>Medical</b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><b> </b></span> <b>Other</b><br />
first aid kit<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> maps (tunnels & mile matrix)<br />
suncream<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> spoon<br />
vaseline (!)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> cards & cash<br />
ibuprofen<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> phone<br />
paracetamol<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> spare phone battery<br />
toohbrush & paste<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<br />
<strong>Bike Kit</strong><br />
2x inner tubes<br />
tool kit<br />
chain tool<br />
spare chain<br />
2x cables<br />
mulit-tool<br />
lock<br />
lights<br />
spare tyre ("folded" up)<br />
<br />
<br />Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-14387200631680322282012-07-25T07:47:00.003-07:002012-07-29T05:18:39.819-07:00Positive mental visualisation<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4OXjpQyfVgjW2eKU2T_ROQlNjcRleeQmoyug3zXD0TrFRURQ8IPrMzq_kRNW5QUwQrH_SdLTIrJkab3JjGDIowvvoVooJLh0O-ZNUcNOAs1gvHk3ScYoMPg6x-UQtZ21RdaMWSZA7C6W/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4OXjpQyfVgjW2eKU2T_ROQlNjcRleeQmoyug3zXD0TrFRURQ8IPrMzq_kRNW5QUwQrH_SdLTIrJkab3JjGDIowvvoVooJLh0O-ZNUcNOAs1gvHk3ScYoMPg6x-UQtZ21RdaMWSZA7C6W/" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqffV9VTguYYUAGGurBbOipcKEWrYnirfImxlzKuxKtYkhKVTZy_VxYxCVyrts60d6YKWH3pFIeocemcLF62ekHYYYTIqD5oWlJ1GfGr0mCQ29-cCsJ7B35LceZZoQjGwgXS_RZ0iXMFzJ/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqffV9VTguYYUAGGurBbOipcKEWrYnirfImxlzKuxKtYkhKVTZy_VxYxCVyrts60d6YKWH3pFIeocemcLF62ekHYYYTIqD5oWlJ1GfGr0mCQ29-cCsJ7B35LceZZoQjGwgXS_RZ0iXMFzJ/" /></a>Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0Leeds, Leeds53.801277 -1.548567tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438773339435417385.post-71974767621589036532012-07-24T00:28:00.001-07:002013-01-15T14:05:45.982-08:00Er... Halfords ...You were meant to ring me yesterday about my bike repair.... ??<br />
(Gear trouble. Hopefully nothing major.)<br />
<br />
[edit] They'd booked it in wrong and no one knew it was there!? Glad I rang to check. <span style="background-color: white;">Anyhow, one of the cogs is bent so they've ordered a new rear cassette. Hopefully I'll have it back on Wednesday.</span><br />
<br />
phew!Anton de Bikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14571605278390493777noreply@blogger.com0