Forums Forums Enthusiast Forums A - Z Cycling Liverpool-Leeds Canal ride tomorrow!

After falling off in October and cracking my elbow joint, 2 teeth through my chin etc etc I decided I am in need to get back to fitness.

Went for a ride with Dave aka Flybynight (get well soon dave) and it became apparent after 4 weeks not riding that I was in dire need of more peddling.

So I joined a cycling called Palefish a fortnight ago to try and get road miles in. Good bunch of lads (even if they do wear lycra lol) ended up riding 42 miles that night so it blew the cobwebs away. And this was done on knobbly tyres after a days work lol.

So this brings us to the present day. My mate has been going on about "Liverpool-Leeds canal" ride for quite a few months. Either work commitments or missus's stopping the ride.

Now we both have time off we have said "sod it lets try our best". As the full route is 252 miles we have decided we will have 15-16 hours ride time. 8 there 8 back to see how far we can get.

Both are mountain bikes, mine a hardtail, Waynes a Full suspension. Feel sorry as his bike is 16kg as opposed to mine weighing 12kg. Think however my extra 24kg in weight I am worse off haha.

We are setting off from Birkenhead at 5.20am and riding the tunnel, once through we hope to start the canal ride at 6am.

Plenty of food, spare tubes and even a tyre is being taken.

Will try and update through the day.

Wish us luck!

Phil

Hi phil
I follow pale fish myself and have often thought about joining them , but being roadies thought I would be to slow. As for you and Wayne doing that ride I think it's mad this time of year you should wait till spring at least. If you are 8 hours away and the weather turns you in trouble , ESP going up towards Leeds .

Ps don't be ringing me for a lift back ha ha .

The TPT - http://www.transpenninetrail.org.uk/ - is quite a good idea, especially with the bikes you're taking.

It runs from Hull to Southport and is quite well sign posted. Few people I know are attempting the Sheffield to Liverpool leg this weekend, which given the recent weather, may or may not be a good idea...

Anywho, hope this helps, happy riding :~)

Well on Tuesday we said we would start the ride @ 5.30am from Birkenhead and ride till we were tired and take the road route back.

Bikes were all set for 12am, chain cleaned, forks lubed and tyres checked.

As a joke my mate said "how good would it be to do a night ride?"

I said yeah, would be good, we have 2 x 4cell lights and a 2 cell as a back up. Both Hope R4's.

Set off from Birkenhead, see a few ale heads wobbling through Birkenvegas (usual sight). Hit the tunnel enterance and made our way through.



Hard graft getting out of the tunnel when your legs arn't warm!

Found the way to the Canal and set off, usual walk path with small stones.

Not even 3 miles in and I got that "bike fells loose at rear moment"

ARSE!! Go a bloddy puncture! 1.15am in Liverpool and already fixing a bloody flat tyre!



Turns out it was a stone that pierced the tyre



Fixed that and we were on our way, tried to keep a 13/14mph average but it was to risky in parts. Once we were inbetween Magull and Lydiate we stopped for a butty and saw this sign



The trail was beginning to get more of a 4-5ft wide path with a rut in the grass to walk on, in the dry this would of been on to ride but as it was wet there was a task of tring not to fall in!

25miles in and I got another puncture, which was bad as it was bloody freezing!

Had to dunk the bikes a few times due to mud, each time we were thinking "don't fall in soft lad"

We made our way to Wigan for around 7am, covered in mud. Had a coffee in McDonalds then made our way to Liverpool Centre.

Got there for around 10.30am after we stopped for another coffee as the tiredness set in.

Jumped the train to Hamilton Square then to my mates, charged my phone as it went dead mid trip (really should buy a Garmin!). Then I had a nice 8mile ride back home.

We totally underestimated the canal route at this time of year thinking the route would be ok to ride, we will be trying a larger route come April.

Total ride miles from Birkenhead to Wigan and back was 63, rode alot further than that yet this drained me the most. Not sure if it was the lack of sleep or the fact you have to be alert much more when night riding.

Thanks for reading.

Phil

Well done both of you. It sounds like a great adventure. Canalside rides are brilliant, but I'll stick to daylight hours I think. I remember the fun going right out of the long slog up from the river bed to the tunnel entrance when cycling through the B'head tunnel. You think you are down there for the rest of your days. Obviously not fit anymore !

That was a good tale - i'm feeling knackered just reading about it

Nice one phil , I should be back on bike in a week or two just depends hoe fast my hand heals. Road at first then back on the trail .

didnt know you could ride through the tunnel what hours can you cycle through thanks jeff

Bicycles not allowed in Wallasey tunnel at all.

B'head tunnel. Bicycles prohibited the following times:-

Mon-Fri 0600 - 2000 hrs
Saturday 0700 - 2000 hrs
Sunday 0800 - 2100 hrs

Other times bicycles allowed.

Full bumf here:-
http://www.merseytunnels.co.uk/nossl/html/faq.php

It's an experience everyone should try.... if only once !

Cool Dave!

Get the slicks on and join us when you can.

Will be trying the other trail soon in South Liverpool.

Maybe we can organise a Wirral MTB ride? New brighton to Heswall with all the nook and cranny climbs.

Well I never knew that!!

Sounds good, I have been tempted by that ride myself. Although would attempt it in the summer and not try it in one day. Let me know of any future ride outs, especially on a Saturday when I am generally free.

I ride the canal from Capenhurst to Chester nearly every day, and must admit even though I know the route and track it is still risky at night. In fact you are not supposed to ride them at night, also you need a permit to ride according to the waterways page.

The other day I rode from Ellesmere Port to chester for a change, going there was fine, but coming back it was pitch black and even with decent lights there were a few precarious moments especially when going under some of the bridges.

@Headcoat..I didn't realise you needed a permit to ride on the tow path (or any tow path) ?

Have you a link to the Waterways page you mention ? Thanks.

Just looked and things have changed, canals used to run by British Waterways, looks like since July 2012 they are run by Canal and River Trust, http://www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/

I can't find any mention of a permit there though.

It was pointless anyway, you just printed it out and signed it, and that was it. I only did so if some walker or fisherman started to get smart and ask me if I had one I could show it to them

Thanks Headcoat.