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Bikepacking London to the Lake District by canal

larfingiraffe · 2023-02-20T20:57:05Z

I've signed up for a bikepacking camping weekend in Grizedale Forest in mid May, run by an organisation thats dedicated to getting more women out on their bikes. Then my friend and I thought, wouldn't it be cool to bikepack to the event? I live near London. I asked Komoot for a gravel route (I'll take my MTB) and it suggested one that was 90% canals and 360 miles. I'm under the impression that mostly canals are flattish so this might just be feasible in 6 or 7 days. And then someone mentioned that rather than the nicely made up gravel path I'm envisioning, often the canalside is a grassy field or rutty and bumpy, and that may be pretty hard going with camping gear. At which point I realized that I had no idea what I'm considering doing. The canals would be: Grand Union, Oxford, Coventry, Trent & Mersey, Caldon, Macclesfield, Peak Forest, Bridgewater, and Leigh branch of the Lancaster & Liverpool. Anyone have any experience of doing anything like this? Ride any of these canals? Any advice, especially as to the condition of the towpaths? Should I just forget it and take the train?

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kayak23

Posts: 18197

Full Member

That's pretty good.
Not the most exciting mission, but admirable nonetheless.

Posted : 02/03/2023 12:54 pm

reggiegasket

Posts: 6332

Free Member

as poolman says, Garstang to Lancaster is fine, and north to Carnforth.

as others have said, 60 miles a days on a canal will be harder than it sounds.

Posted : 02/03/2023 11:12 pm

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