I know this video was a while back but I’ve just come across it. This was beautiful mate 👌 I’m not a pro cyclist, I cycle for fitness and to get out and see the countryside. I’m 49 now so do a lot of canal rides. The peace and quite and straight forward cycling of them is perfect for me and it does my mental health the world of good. I have never done a backpacking trip on them though. I’m normally out for around 4 to 5 hours then home. You have now inspired me to get out there and maybe stay a night and make a couple of days if it. I found this video so tranquil and inspiring. Thank you buddy for sharing your journey ❤
Another great film, I’ve long wanted to do this ride too. You chose probably best time of year and week to do this when not too many people about. The Kennet and Avon is great too as a long distance flat route.
Yeah it couldn't have been better really. Dry, sunny and not to many people around. I use that quite a bit when im heading to wales normally jump on at Trowbridge
You seem to make it sound much easier than it actually is... Last year I set myself the goal of cycling the entire canal system, and so far have completed about 900 - 1000 miles, and I can assure you the towpaths range from utterly superb, to utterly atrocious, and a few sections bordering on outright dangerous, to outright lethal. Many rural canal sections are a dreadful, bump ridden slog, and from the end of June until August, they can compare to fighting through a South American jungle, oh, and if it has rained recently, add a First World War battlefield to the list. And then the people, oh the people... Fishermen are usually fine, but come across a competition group, oh, happy chappies. Boaters spitting out dummies when having to move chairs and tables to let you past. Pedestrians with heads down in phones, or pinging your bell twenty times behind a runner with headphones on, and drug addicts and piss heads in the inner city sections. But I still do it because I love it.
I'm looking at doing this in May starting at Birmingham and finish in London. I've been thinking of doing it for some time. Then I come across your video so I'm now gearing up. To do this epic ride. Just subscribed to your channel been watching loads of your videos over the weekend. 👍
Canal’s are most definitely a special level on the game of life ! I like to make a loop using the trains !! I think the ultimate is to hitch a lift on a boat through the Blisworth tunnel! I’ve fallen in and met herds of cows and sheep on the towpath, on separate occasions and in the evening the bats fly along with you , freaky ! The Chilterns hills are very easy to get to via Tring to enjoy spectacular views for those who want to see something beyond London. I’m gonna subscribe your doing a good job 👍
How gorgeous that early morning. I did a few days on the Erie Canal across the pond in upstate NY. So much eye candy on these rides. I just found you and subscribed. Cheers.
No shame what so ever in wimping out and following a flat canal. Ive bike packed most of Englands canals over the years. 2 favourites that are worth a mention. Leeds Liverpool canal. But do it as Liverpool to Leeds as the scenery gets Better heading east. And the Kennet and Avon. head west on that one, as again, scenery and surface of the path improves further west.
If ever you are back along here give us a shout. I Can see that seat at Fenny Stratford lock from my front window. I will buy you a pint at the pub next door 🙂
Great stuff ... sometimes its just good to ride and enjoy ...not that ive done much this winter 🙄 but hopefully doing Inverness fort will this summer ....keep going fella👍👍
I am retiring soon and looking for a nice adventure . Been watching you big climbs and hard track stuff . But this is the way forward for the winter retirement probably the Bridgewater and Leeds Liverpool. Thanks for inspiration . Grand union mcr to Hemel can be for summer see family . Cheers buddy ride on
Great bikepacking route by the canal. It's like the C&O Canal Trail here in Washington DC where I was bikepacking last summer, definitely wanna finish it up this summer. Thanks for sharing 👍
I'm doing the C&O and GAP this coming June. Both trails look amazing. Can't wait for June to get here. What's great about these trails is there is plenty of places to camp along the way ...
@@c_steve_j I did last summer DC to Harpers Ferry. Planning to get out there again as soon as it warms up more to continue to Cumberland or possibly all away to Pittsburgh. I have the video of my ride if you wanna check it out to see my experience so far. Thanks 🙂👍
@@FollowThomas Thanks Thomas! I will check it out. Hope you're able to go all the way to Pittsburgh. Who knows, maybe we'll catch each other out on trail!
Nice one =) A few vlogging friends and I did 100km of the Birmingham canals last Summer, that long tunnel might have been the same one we took. There can't be that many tunnels in the West Midlands that take that long to navigate so likelihood it's the same one! Navigating through there was lots of fun, I am really pleased though we never met riders coming towards us in the opposite direction I vaguely remember it all being rather narrow! Look forward to your next big adventure! Edit: Just watched it back on my channel, it was the Netherton tunnel, 2768 metres or 2.4 miles!
aha i was going to say unless you had a boat your not getting through this tunnel. damn over a two mile tunnel is pretty impressive, i can imagine what that was like cycling through that, there is a tunnel that is crazy narrow between Edinburgh and Glasgow not as long but it does have disco lights 😂
Yes I agree it is very hard to find camping spots on the canal. I did this journey in the reverse direction about the same time of year as you judging by the weather and by how many leaves are on the trees. It was fantastic weather. I did find a spot 10miles or so North of Milton keynes to camp at the side of the canal but it wasn't easy, and strangely enough I had my breakfast on the same bench as you at Lock 22 @ Fenney Stratford. It is a very short ride into town at this lock to buy suppliers. My Advice is don't do this journey at weekends as the tow path in some areas is full of walkers /dog walkers and these folks can really slow you down. I never had a problem with anyone except with those of Hard of Hearing who told me I should have a bell, which I had and have used frequently.
I'm planning to start bikepacking , still trying to figure out where everything goes eg. Tent ( what tent would you recommend), sleeping bag , sleep inflatable mattress, cooker set clothes , it maybe a big ask but some guidance would be great 👍
Hi, What would be the longest piece you could ride, without to much of a problem? I'm looking to do maybe 30 miles in all, including the return. In your opinion, what is the most attractive part please?
Hi just started following you you never seems to take any cooking equipment or do you just live on supermarket sandwich what about your morning coffee when wake up in your tent nice utube content
aha yeah pretty much, i talked about it in a recent video that after 10 years working in kitchens, i could happily never eat a cooked meal again, and i don't really drink coffee or hot drinks really.
Well the route is 147 miles, to ride it in 11 hours you would need to average about 13mph. That speed is probably managble, but you will have to slow down quite a lot with other people walking,muddy narrow sections depending on what time of year you do it. i think a relistic time is going to be more like 14/16 hours Here is the Route - www.komoot.com/collection/1974801/-bikepacking-the-grand-union-canal
Recommendations: My bike has 700 gravel tires (tubeless). Would you use them or 29 tires, as we are doing a ride from Northampton to London for MS justgofundme.
Here is the route overview video with all the details and gpx download - th-cam.com/video/Qh8F9hqTiDE/w-d-xo.html
I know this video was a while back but I’ve just come across it. This was beautiful mate 👌 I’m not a pro cyclist, I cycle for fitness and to get out and see the countryside. I’m 49 now so do a lot of canal rides. The peace and quite and straight forward cycling of them is perfect for me and it does my mental health the world of good. I have never done a backpacking trip on them though. I’m normally out for around 4 to 5 hours then home. You have now inspired me to get out there and maybe stay a night and make a couple of days if it. I found this video so tranquil and inspiring. Thank you buddy for sharing your journey ❤
Another great film, I’ve long wanted to do this ride too. You chose probably best time of year and week to do this when not too many people about. The Kennet and Avon is great too as a long distance flat route.
Yeah it couldn't have been better really. Dry, sunny and not to many people around.
I use that quite a bit when im heading to wales normally jump on at Trowbridge
You seem to make it sound much easier than it actually is...
Last year I set myself the goal of cycling the entire canal system, and so far have completed about 900 - 1000 miles, and I can assure you the towpaths range from utterly superb, to utterly atrocious, and a few sections bordering on outright dangerous, to outright lethal.
Many rural canal sections are a dreadful, bump ridden slog, and from the end of June until August, they can compare to fighting through a South American jungle, oh, and if it has rained recently, add a First World War battlefield to the list.
And then the people, oh the people...
Fishermen are usually fine, but come across a competition group, oh, happy chappies. Boaters spitting out dummies when having to move chairs and tables to let you past. Pedestrians with heads down in phones, or pinging your bell twenty times behind a runner with headphones on, and drug addicts and piss heads in the inner city sections.
But I still do it because I love it.
I'm looking at doing this in May starting at Birmingham and finish in London. I've been thinking of doing it for some time. Then I come across your video so I'm now gearing up. To do this epic ride. Just subscribed to your channel been watching loads of your videos over the weekend. 👍
really loved the video, esp seeing you ride through my local parts of the canal!
Canal’s are most definitely a special level on the game of life ! I like to make a loop using the trains !!
I think the ultimate is to hitch a lift on a boat through the Blisworth tunnel! I’ve fallen in and met herds of cows and sheep on the towpath, on separate occasions and in the evening the bats fly along with you , freaky ! The Chilterns hills are very easy to get to via Tring to enjoy spectacular views for those who want to see something beyond London. I’m gonna subscribe your doing a good job 👍
aha i like the idea of hitching a lift on a narrow boat sounds fun. I do love a good canal adventure :D
How gorgeous that early morning. I did a few days on the Erie Canal across the pond in upstate NY. So much eye candy on these rides. I just found you and subscribed. Cheers.
I absolutely agree with you on canals, there's something so peaceful about them.
Stunning photography and beautifully peaceful. Thanks! Great music as well. Can you list it pls?
No shame what so ever in wimping out and following a flat canal.
Ive bike packed most of Englands canals over the years.
2 favourites that are worth a mention.
Leeds Liverpool canal. But do it as Liverpool to Leeds as the scenery gets Better heading east.
And the Kennet and Avon. head west on that one, as again, scenery and surface of the path improves further west.
Well done mate really enjoying your channel 👍🏻🚴🏼♂️
Great video and I have done that , fallen in the canal and it’s wet lol.
That's funny, when you stopped at fenny Stratford you had just cycled past my boats . And last Saturday five of us cycled from there to Camden Town .
Fantastic vlog again, I absolutely agree with you about canal’s they’re like another world. You just have to remember you’re gonna get nowhere fast 👍
Yeep it's definitely a holiday ride kinda ride 👌
I am new to this channel, love it as it inspires me to plan some trips of my own. Keep up the great work.
Super chill ride. Nice to see you having a "holiday". Great content. Cheers. 🍺
Absolute pleasure to watch 👌🏼
If ever you are back along here give us a shout. I Can see that seat at Fenny Stratford lock from my front window. I will buy you a pint at the pub next door 🙂
Great stuff ... sometimes its just good to ride and enjoy ...not that ive done much this winter 🙄 but hopefully doing Inverness fort will this summer ....keep going fella👍👍
Another great adventure 🚲⛺️👍
I am retiring soon and looking for a nice adventure . Been watching you big climbs and hard track stuff . But this is the way forward for the winter retirement probably the Bridgewater and Leeds Liverpool. Thanks for inspiration . Grand union mcr to Hemel can be for summer see family . Cheers buddy ride on
As regards camping have you looked at pub stops foc if you use for the pint or food
Great bikepacking route by the canal. It's like the C&O Canal Trail here in Washington DC where I was bikepacking last summer, definitely wanna finish it up this summer. Thanks for sharing 👍
I'm doing the C&O and GAP this coming June. Both trails look amazing. Can't wait for June to get here. What's great about these trails is there is plenty of places to camp along the way ...
@@c_steve_j I did last summer DC to Harpers Ferry. Planning to get out there again as soon as it warms up more to continue to Cumberland or possibly all away to Pittsburgh. I have the video of my ride if you wanna check it out to see my experience so far. Thanks 🙂👍
@@FollowThomas Thanks Thomas! I will check it out. Hope you're able to go all the way to Pittsburgh. Who knows, maybe we'll catch each other out on trail!
Nice one =) A few vlogging friends and I did 100km of the Birmingham canals last Summer, that long tunnel might have been the same one we took. There can't be that many tunnels in the West Midlands that take that long to navigate so likelihood it's the same one! Navigating through there was lots of fun, I am really pleased though we never met riders coming towards us in the opposite direction I vaguely remember it all being rather narrow! Look forward to your next big adventure!
Edit: Just watched it back on my channel, it was the Netherton tunnel, 2768 metres or 2.4 miles!
aha i was going to say unless you had a boat your not getting through this tunnel. damn over a two mile tunnel is pretty impressive, i can imagine what that was like cycling through that, there is a tunnel that is crazy narrow between Edinburgh and Glasgow not as long but it does have disco lights 😂
Yes I agree it is very hard to find camping spots on the canal. I did this journey in the reverse direction about the same time of year as you judging by the weather and by how many leaves are on the trees. It was fantastic weather. I did find a spot 10miles or so North of Milton keynes to camp at the side of the canal but it wasn't easy, and strangely enough I had my breakfast on the same bench as you at Lock 22 @ Fenney Stratford. It is a very short ride into town at this lock to buy suppliers.
My Advice is don't do this journey at weekends as the tow path in some areas is full of walkers /dog walkers and these folks can really slow you down. I never had a problem with anyone except with those of Hard of Hearing who told me I should have a bell, which I had and have used frequently.
Your morning rides make me realise what I’m missing as a non morning person 😂
😂i'm not a morning person until im living on the bike.
I have to agree with you totally on riding canals. I love them. Who do you use for the music on your channel?
They are pure bliss.
I am using epidemic sounds
I'm planning to start bikepacking , still trying to figure out where everything goes eg. Tent ( what tent would you recommend), sleeping bag , sleep inflatable mattress, cooker set clothes , it maybe a big ask but some guidance would be great 👍
Hi, What would be the longest piece you could ride, without to much of a problem? I'm looking to do maybe 30 miles in all, including the return. In your opinion, what is the most attractive part please?
Josh. Is this possible on a road bike with 25mm tyres? I'm thinking of adding it into a 600km audax route which is otherwise on the road.
id probably avoid it on road tyres tbh. Some of it would be ok but there is plenty of muddy sections
Hi I’m planning a London to Leicester bike ride on the grand Union canal could you tell me where to head to when I leave St Pancras please….. cheers
Think the canal starts by Paddington if i remember correctly, check the before you ride video, the route is in the description there
Really enjoying your videos and not just cos you were channeling Miley Cyrus on that rope swing 🫣
😂😂😂😂
Hi just started following you you never seems to take any cooking equipment or do you just live on supermarket sandwich what about your morning coffee when wake up in your tent nice utube content
aha yeah pretty much, i talked about it in a recent video that after 10 years working in kitchens, i could happily never eat a cooked meal again, and i don't really drink coffee or hot drinks really.
Highlights at the end would be nice.
Thanks
After i ride any route i do these before you ride videos. Might be what you are looking for ...
th-cam.com/video/Qh8F9hqTiDE/w-d-xo.html
I have Google the distance 3 times and it says it takes 11 hours so can it be done in a day if I started at six am.
Well the route is 147 miles, to ride it in 11 hours you would need to average about 13mph. That speed is probably managble, but you will have to slow down quite a lot with other people walking,muddy narrow sections depending on what time of year you do it. i think a relistic time is going to be more like 14/16 hours
Here is the Route - www.komoot.com/collection/1974801/-bikepacking-the-grand-union-canal
Ginsters 🤮😂
Recommendations: My bike has 700 gravel tires (tubeless). Would you use them or 29 tires, as we are doing a ride from Northampton to London for MS justgofundme.
You will be absolutely fine with gravel tyres along the canal