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Just thinking how we can still get a holiday, our Holland one ain't happening, the wife loves the cycling there, her main driver for going tbh. Wee yin is 13 now, and could happily knock out 40 or 50 miles a day, looked at Leeds Liverpool canal, 127 miles over 3 days, means we could leave car at one and and train it back, and a day or two in Liverpool, anyone any better ideas?.
Don't mind going wherever, the canals down into Wales, or the midlands, a route that's got planty interesting places on the way.
All based on bed and breakfast availability right enough, which could scupper it if everyone ends up staycationing!.
Thanks!
As I've mentioned before, on other threads - get the train out and ride back, or you could find yourself stranded.
Also, epending on where you end up stopping,each night, consider using Premier Inns, as you can keep your bikes in your room, reducinging any security concerns
Good advice on both points bb, much appreciated.
Sounds like you're based on the correct (East) side of the Pennines. Another suggestion which I did with my youngest when he was little is Stockport to Leeds (or Hull if you must) using the Trans-Pennine Trail. More interesting than the canal (which, TBH, isn't the most inspiring of rides) and we had a great time.
We got the train from Leeds to Stockport early on a Saturday morning and then cycled to an overnight stop in Barnsley (Premier Inn - right by the trail!), completing the ride back to Leeds on the Sunday. I drove down from work to Barnsley a few days earlier and staged a bag of kit, so we could travel light, collecting it again a few days later. Be warned that it's almost continuously uphill from Stockport to the top of Woodhead and although the terrain doesn't ever get very steep (well, not until the last bit anyway!), it's pretty draining on small legs.
Give or take a bit, we rode about 50-60 miles each day. Nicest bit was Hadfield to Barnsley over the Woodhead Pass. Still not the most exciting riding (don't be expecting twisting singletrack!), but it's great for kids and we had a superb time. He's 11 now, and we're plotting doing it again on gravel bikes this summer, but do it all in a day this time 🙂
Also, epending on where you end up stopping,each night, consider using Premier Inns, as you can keep your bikes in your room, reducinging any security concerns
I'm not sure that's a policy shared across the chain? I took my bike to Premier Inn and they kept it in a store room.
Couple of sort of similar ideas;
1) Kennet and Avon canal from Bristol to Reading (absolutely tonnes of trains between Reading and Bristol).
2) Along the Wye/Severn; we did a great two day tour that you could do from Gloucester; Day 1 over to the Wye and down it, Day 2 crossed over the Severn Bridge and back up to Gloucester.
I’m not sure that’s a policy shared across the chain? I took my bike to Premier Inn and they kept it in a store room.
You can choose either, depending on which suits. If it's me and the lad, we keep in the room, but if it's the whole family then I'd rather not as 4 bikes makes for a lot of clutter!
They are unquestionably the most bike-friendly chain and I use them often just because of this:
https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/why/bike-friendly.html
Cheshire ring looks good TJ, cheers, and looking at that came across the 4 counties ring, which is also tempting, mibbe go for both.
We've done a loop going Skipton to Wigan via Leeds-Liverpool Canal then the Bridgewater Canal into Manchester to pick up the Transpennine Trail. Follow that over to Peniston and then take the Cycle route that heads north to pick up the River Aire downstream of Leeds. Into Leeds and follow the LLC back to Skipton.
Obviously being a loop you can start/finish where you want.
brilliant usually to use canals pre virus but if yours are anything like the ones around here (midlands) they are absolutely rammed with walkers, cyclists and horses. most who live two minutes from the canal but this is the first time they've ever used the towpath and have no idea how to behave or the etiquette. this makes for a less than enjoyable experience.
Towpath traffic should ease somewhat now that IKEA is open again.
Aye, I can imagine RD, but hopefully for late summer midweek, when it does down 🙏🏻
Sounds good whitestone, ta.
You could do a loop near Birmingham, down the Shropshire Union and staffs worcs canals then back up the Worcester Bham to Birmingham and then up to the Trent Mersey canal and across to your starting point.
The Worcester Birmingham canal is surprisingly unbusy at the moment
Did Skipton to Leeds late last year. Some parts early on were a little rough, be OK in nice weather. And the odd detour for building works. But 85% was like a dream. Although totally flat riding can take a toll.
Nice cafe stop and takes you right to the station. Planning trying out the bits south of there soon.
Me and the missus do canals and bimbles quite a lot
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/cycling/canal-cycling-routes
See also Sustrans map
https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/52.48029,-2.31351,7
From reading can go to bath (canal), then bath to Bristol railway path then to sea at portishead cycle path. And vary with Wessex ridgeway and ridgeway on way back ( and some dog legs are available )
Peak District (our cancelled plan) has a lot of railway trails - tissington, Monsal, manifold etc but I didn’t look at canal links