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| Me - at the start of the ride |
It was a very gorgeous sunny day. I set off with instructions to take the left hand fork when the canal splits in to two different directions. When I got to this fork I found there was a 'towpath closed' sign. Hmmm, I took a little track off and waded, head height, in nettles and brambles only to find a dead end so had to wade back again. By this time another cyclist had arrived at this fork. He had no idea about a detour either but a fisherman said that he had seen various cyclists still using the towpath and he thought we wouldn't have a problem.
This seemed to be the case until we came across another 'towpath closed' sign. I thought this must be the other end of the closure so thought no more about it and carried on. About a mile or so on we were on the other side of the canal from Old Trafford, Manchester United's football ground! A little further and the towpath really was closed. The other cyclist wasn't at all talkative but we both seemed to be in this together.
So we rode back to the last closed sign. We came off the canal and so began a little tour of an industrial area. After weaving around a few trucks we concluded we had to go back to where we came off the canal and then I spotted a detour sign. I waved the other cyclist over and pointed it out. After following several of these signs there was one that pointed left and into Old Trafford's car park!!! Okay, if that's where we have to go.
Riding round the car park I couldn't work out where the flipping canal was at all. The other guy seemed to just follow me, so I rode up to a flag seller and enquired if he knew. He was actually really helpful and pointed us in the right direction.
After riding on the wrong side of the road and on pavements (both things I hate to do) we eventually found the canal and an open towpath again. So off we went again. I still hadn't got to the start of the Rochdale Canal by this stage. Not very long after this we came into a canal basin and I had to check the map to see which branch I needed. I was dismayed to find that the one I needed disappeared under a building. The other cyclist also disappeared without a word!
Right, off I went again searching for the canal again. I asked two people but they didn't know and I rode up and down car parks, round hotels and offices until I remembered my map printouts. Standing on a fairly busy road I worked out where I was on the map and thankfully relocated the canal. At this point I had done about 6 miles in 90 minutes.
I was re-assured to find a sign that said 'The Rochdale Canal' and set off along the towpath to be greeted by big, bumpy and uneven cobbles. For the next mile or two I was constantly slowed down, stopped or chucked off the path by steep rises or dead ends! It wasn't easy by any means. Thanks Manchester for 'helpfully' not putting any signage up to help towpath users find their way.
I was also dismayed to see the amount of rubbish in the water in the town. Very ugly!!!
Long after I should have been on my way I really got going. I had only brought one bottle of water with me as I thought I would be able to find burger vans or shops along the way that I could easily get some at. My water ran out quite soon with it being warm.
As with most canals, there were some fabulous buildings along the way. One very impressive mill conversion caught my eye in particular. I love the changing scenery, industrial, urban, rural, old cottages, modern suburbs etc. I was amazed at the amount of fish I saw in a couple of places. No idea what sort they were but they ranged from a couple of inches to about 10 inches long.
There were quite a few babies on the water with their parents too.
After some time I came to a point called 'Summit' to which I had walked from the other end of the canal, in different sections, whenever I had a free day. It was around this point I started chatting to a fellow cyclist who was much more interesting than my previous companion. We compared cycling stories etc and it took my mind off the fact that I was getting quite dehydrated and hungry by this time.
Arriving at Todmorden I decided I had to go in search of refreshment. I said goodbye to the other cyclist and wandered into the town. After squeezing some brass out of a cash machine I found a bakery that was still open. I ordered a cheese and ham toastie and a coffee and then meekly asked if she minded filling my water bottle from the tap. She was happy to oblige and while my toastie was cooking I drank a full bottle and she kindly topped me up again. I took my goodies with me back to the canal side and thoroughly enjoyed them.
Last leg now (not on my last legs though). I knew my whereabouts now so knew how far I had to go. I enjoyed this part as I was no longer hungry or thirsty. I arrived in Sowerby Bridge and back at my car, after a 40 mile ride. Having done it in 4 hours 45 minutes actual riding time. Should have been a lot less than that but I spent so much time trying to locate the flipping canal at the start. I was tired but not exhausted. What a wonderful ride it had been.
Some of the later photos were taken on a previous occasion when I was walking the canal from my end of it with my two dogs. Evie can be seen in one of the photos.
