Objective: Cycle from Shirley to Stratford-upon-Avon along the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal. Return by train to Shirley. Trip Type: solo cycle Distance: 23 miles Time to complete: 2.75 hrs, 8. mph Nicholson Guide: Guide 2, pp 142-151 Costs: free parking in Shirley. Train from Stratford to Shirley £6.80, direct, 1 per hour. Difficulty: fair, but a few flights of shallow steps… Continue reading Shirley to Stratford
Author: Frank Boddy
Erewash and Nottingham Canals
Objective: Cycle from Trent Lock, Long Eaton, along the length of the Erewash Canal to the Great Northern Basin at Langley Mill. Head back down the path of the disused Nottingham Canal as far as it goes, then cut through the suburbs of Nottingham down to the River Trent, and back to the start point via… Continue reading Erewash and Nottingham Canals
Reading to Newbury
Objective: Take the train from Newbury to Reading. Cycle back from the River Thames / Kennet Mouth junction along the Kennet & Avon Canal. Trip Type: solo cycle Distance: 23 miles Time to complete: 3.0 hrs, 7.9 mph Nicholson Guide: Guide 7, pp 98-107 Costs: free parking in Newbury. Train from Newbury to Reading £8.40. Note: you may need to… Continue reading Reading to Newbury
Bath to Trowbridge
Objective: Take the train from Trowbridge to Bath Spa. Cycle back along the River Avon, and Kennet & Avon Canal. Trip Type: solo cycle Distance: 13 miles Time to complete: 1.5 hrs, 8.7 mph Nicholson Guide: Guide 7, pp 70-77 Costs: free parking in Trowbridge. Train from Trowbridge to Bath Spa, £7.90, 3 per hour Difficulty: easy Adjacent Rides: Avonmouth… Continue reading Bath to Trowbridge
Solihull to Leamington Spa
Objective: Take the train from Leamington Spa to Solihull. Cycle back down the grand Union Canal, past Kingswood Junction, and a couple of spectacular sets of locks, through Warwick to back to Leamington Spa. Trip Type: solo cycle Distance: 22 miles Time to complete: 3 hrs, 7.3 mph Nicholson Guide: Guide 3, pp 124-133 (also in Guide 1) Costs: free… Continue reading Solihull to Leamington Spa
Avonmouth to Bath
Objective: Take the train to Avomouth. Cycle to Bath along the River Avon and Kennet & Avon Canal. The final section utilises the Bristol & Bath Railway Path as there is little or no towpath on some river sections. Trip Type: solo cycle Distance: 25.5 miles Time to complete: 3.0 hrs, 9 mph Nicholson Guide: Guide 7, pp 60-70… Continue reading Avonmouth to Bath
Long Eaton to Burton
Objective: Cycle from Trent Lock, Long Eaton, along the River Trent, and Trent & Mersey Canal to Burton-on-Trent. Take the train back to Long Eaton. Trip Type: solo cycle Distance: 22 miles Time to complete: 2 hrs 15 min, 8.5 mph Nicholson Guide: Guide 3, pp 175-181 Costs: free parking at Trent Lock. Train from Burton to Long Eaton £4.50… Continue reading Long Eaton to Burton
Ulverston Canal
Objective: Cycle the Ulverston Canal along its full length, and back. Trip Type: solo cycle Distance: 3.5 miles Time to complete: 28 minutes, 7.2 mph Nicholson Guide: not in the Nicholson Guide Costs: free parking in Ulverston Difficulty: easy Adjacent Rides: none Overview This is a ride you would only do when visiting the area. Perhaps you are cycling the… Continue reading Ulverston Canal
Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation
Objective: Cycle from Heybridge Basin to Springfield Basin, Chelmsford along the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation, then cycle back on tracks and roads via Woodham Walter and Maldon. Trip Type: solo cycle (circular ride) Distance: 27 miles (13.5 miles of canal) Time to complete: 3 hrs 45 min, 7.2 mph Nicholson Guide: Guide 1, pp 18-24 Costs: £5 parking at Heybridge… Continue reading Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation
Hebden Bridge to Piccadilly
Objective: Cycle from Hebden Bridge over the Pennines on the Rochdale Canal, passing through Todmorden, Littleborough and Rochdale before dropping down into central Manchester, and finishing at Ducie Street Junction. Return by train from Manchester Victoria. Trip Type: solo cycle Distance: 28.5 miles Time to complete: 3.5 hrs, 8.3 mph Nicholson Guide: Guide 5, pp 188-199 Costs: free parking at… Continue reading Hebden Bridge to Piccadilly