Beware the Bridgewater Pensioner

Which bit? Just come home along there from work in Manchester to Urmston.

I guess we just need to cycle really quietly....

The man claims to be some sort of country side warden

If he is I doubt Common Assault is part of the job description. 🙂

This was on the section between Lymm and the breech near Bollington.

Posted by: Bruce

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The man claims to be some sort of country side warden(which I don't believe).

Oh is he still around? 

Might not be the same guy of course but there have been semi-regular mentions of that sort of character - stops cyclists, claims to be a Canal Warden (or something), says he'll report you... 

I've not heard of any actual assault along there so I guess the guy is just blustering. As a rule I will never stop for anyone trying that sort of thing in case it's a prelude to a mugging. It's one thing stopping to one side of the towpath to let a woman with a buggy come past safely but I'd be super cautious about stopping for anyone who's actually putting their hand out to do so.

how loud?

Posted by: crazy-legs

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Might not be the same guy of course but there have been semi-regular mentions of that sort of character

I couldn't find the thread, (naturally, new search seems as purposeful as the old one!) but I'm sure I remember him being mentioned on here 12-18 months ago. 

Not down there very regularly, but I did mention to my riding pals that the next time we do the Cheshire Ring we ought to find a way to avoid the Lymm to Walton Gardens stretch. It's the busiest section and not a decent width for the most part. Had one moaning dog walker last time. And a few grumpy looks. 

That section is not that nice to ride, I was just looking to see if the canal had water in it that side of the breech as I often kayak from the layby through Lymm.

Posted by: Bruce

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asked me if I knew that bikes weren't aloud

You were riding an acoustic bike, I assume. Did you ask him if e-bikes are ok?

Grrr, we all make mistakes, 😎

I new it wasn't a bridal way and my bike had breaks.

Posted by: Bruce

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I was just looking to see if the canal had water in it that side of the breech as I often kayak from the layby through Lymm.

Do you mean the layby by the Old No 3 pub? I also kayak from there, the water is back to normal on the Lymm side.

Yes, it's a reasonable place to launch and I have only ended up in the water twice when I messed up getting in  my boat.

The person then suggested that he could take my photo, and later in the conversation suggested he could push me in the Canal.

None of this got heated and both of us were calm, rational and parted amicably.

Doesn't seem particularly calm or rational on his part. Perhaps the local authority need to know that there is someone out there masquerading as a warden/ranger and threatening to assault people?

If the towpath is owned by CRT, I thought cyclists had access to the whole network since they did away with the license? Or is there a local bylaw?

Unusually, The Bridgewater is privately owned by the Peel Group.

Iv'e had so many similar interactions with angry old people in the past when out on the bike and it is always the same. You cant cycle here, yes I can it is a public right of way....you are going too fast, no, I am not I was doing 4kph....you should have a bell, I do, I was riniging but you cant hear me as you are old and deaf...etc. 

Now I just smile, wave and keep riding. Stopping to discuss it just turns nasty and I can't be bothered anymore.

The Bridgewater Canal Co do indeed restrict which sections of the towpath they allow cycling on:

https://bridgewatercanal.co.uk/things-to-do/cycling/

It may be to do with the surface, the width or both, I'm not sure.

It's to do with someone other than Peel Holdings paying for a nice surface. The rest of the canal towpath is a bit of a mess.

Posted by: Greybeard

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It may be to do with the surface, the width or both, I'm not sure.

I don't know the area but it does seem somewhat petty.  Towpaths were built for horses, I'd be surprised if a cyclist presented more of an erosion risk than a Shire.  Other than "it's my ball and you can't play with it" is there a reason presented?

There is a marked no cycling section  (signs on bridges) along there from about the A49 (think that's right) to Acton Grange Bridge as you approach Moore. In the winter, 20+ yrs ago I started cycling to/from Preston Brook to the A49 along the canal twice a week as part of my commute.

It was pretty bouncy in places and past Walton Gardens it was a mud fest angled towards the canal! Worse, lots of dog walkers and walkers not keen to move along that stretch. Come spring I noticed the no cycling signs on bridges for the first time so switched to the cycle path along the A56 and cut through back roads to get to Blackbear Park. I just couldn't see the need to cycle along the footpath.

Funnily enough early on a cool spring morning cycling down the short green lane from Acton Grange Bridge to the road I came across a car parked half way along. As I slowed to go round a completely naked lady sat bolt up right in the grass and the bloke she was straddling twisted round to see what had distracted her. I said "They're nice", they laughed and went back to it. I assume they needed the exercise to keep warm.

"I new it wasn't a bridal way and my bike had breaks."

Were you peddling too fast?

The elderly reprobate seems to have invoked the wrath of the puncture goods, when I got my bike out yesterday it had a puncture.

Or it could have been the hedge cuttings on the tow path.

I have had the "pretend warden/ranger" thing round my way a couple of times.  I ask for ID.  Tends to end the conversation.

Posted by: Cougar

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I'd be surprised if a cyclist presented more of an erosion risk than a Shire

There's no reason stated. It could be liability rather than erosion - if your bike skids on the mud and you go in the canal, they don't want even the remote possibility of a claim. Peel are infamous as a company with no concern other than their bottom line.

Funnily enough early on a cool spring morning cycling down the short green lane from Acton Grange Bridge to the road I came across a car parked half way along. As I slowed to go round a completely naked lady sat bolt up right in the grass and the bloke she was straddling twisted round to see what had distracted her. I said "They're nice", they laughed and went back to it. I assume they needed the exercise to keep warm.

Anybody know why I can't see recent posts for this topic?

Because the new forum is under active development.  Read the pinned post.

If your bike skids on the mud and you go in...

Coincidentally I fished a woman's bike out of the Bridgewater near Moore last winter. She was already out but a bit shaken up and getting cold. A nice couple in a narrow boat took pity and gave her a warm lift back to Preston Brook.