The route passed the 2 tunnels

When reading other blogs and reports on areas of the ride that can cause problems navigating the route passed the Ganow and Foulridge tunnel always seems to get a mention. The reason is that the tow path ends at the start of each tunnel and does not start again until your reach the other side. Unless you hitch a ride on a passing barge your only option is to find the route passed to the other side Ganow is approx 1/2 mile and Foulridge about 1 mile underground. For this reason and to save stress on the big day a good recky was needed of both routes and we decided to do this on Sunday 26th July. Kim met me just before 7am and we loaded the bikes onto the car before heading of towards the Accrinton side of Burnley. We unloaded just off Accrinton road and the heavens opened but this is all about preparation so we can't let a bit of rain stop us. We started riding just passed 8am towards Burnley and met the start of the Ganow tunel this turned out to be far more straight forward than we expected, the footpath heads up towards the middle of a roundabout then once you are here it is pretty obvious were the canal starts again. The tow path here is very good and you can make good progress so we cracked onto Foulridge the next tunnel start. The path branches away from the original tow path approx 1/4 mile before the tunnel and when you reach the tunnel just head straight ahead and don't head for Colne. The signs do take you to Foulridge and when you drop down the hill take the footpath near a children's play area, turn right and then cut through the factory car park this then brings you out at the end of he tunnel. The recky could save us a good deal of time on the big day so we were pleased with the routes we had found. We then carried on along the tow path back to my house in Farsley giving us a 55 mile training run in the rain over wet grass in parts so we now feel we are almost prepared for anything the weather can throw at us.

Sunday 19th July
Its 7.20am and after cycling 8 miles Phil and I meet on the canal in Leeds near Armley, we are just warmed up and set off towards Castleford, although the ground is soft, muddy and loads of puddles we are speeding along nicely. Then the rain starts, just a drizzle at 1st and as we get to Methley its bouncing down. This is all part of the training, you have to take the rough with the smooth, for all we know it could be bouncing down on August the 21st when we do the big ride. We carry on and 25 miles later we get just passed Stanley ferry, time for a drink, Mars bar and banana and its stopped raining. Time to head back, 5 miles later the heavens opened up and within minutes we are soaked, shoes and feet wet through along with whole body, but we keep going back to Leeds and then onto our respective homes. Another 50 miles of training done and fitter than ever, its hard work and not for the light hearted, this is a big challenge and has to be taken seriously. Sunday 26th July we are starting at the 1st big tunnel that leads onto Foulridge tunnel just to get all the planning spot on and cycle back to Leeds, about 70 mile, just 4 weeks to go and we are nearly ready.
Kim

Testing our fitness

With only 5 weeks to go until we will attempt full distance on the 21st August we decided test our current fitness with what has been described on other blogs as the most challenging section of the canal. On Sunday 12 July we set off to Foulridge in the van (Tommy at the wheel) at 7am in the wind and rain. Kim and I set of heading towards Leeds from the tunnel at 8am moving at a steady pace for the first couple of miles. The first 5 miles here is a pretty good surface so progress was relatively good average speed. After this the path turns to grass and it then becomes far more challenging especially being wet and slippy on my semi slick tyres. There are also gates every half mile or so slowing the pace down even more. The twists and turns in the canal just before Gargrave gives you the impression your not getting very far for all the pedaling your doing. Kim picked up a puncture here on the rough ground so we needed to repair this costing us 15 Min's. After Gargrave we were shifting well again and soon arrived at and passed Skipton. Just after here a grass rut on the tow path deceived me sending me in the direction of the water. I have no idea how I prevented a swim here more luck than good riding skill. Cracked on to Silsden and the to 5 rise at Bingley. Good Cafe her so a pot of tea was ordered and we had a 10 min break. From here to Leeds the surface is good and pretty easy to ride on so we made good progress to Leeds - the tow path at Armley Mills is closed for 10 weeks so we had to take the diversion but its not a big problem. we both got to Leeds feeling great and ready for the next step up. Kim you did great mate considering you also put some miles in Saturday and the weather was not the best.