A random day off from school for Ewan gave us the opportunity for a late November adventure. We took the train to London on Sunday evening to ride back along the Grand Union Canal.
Day One
Heading off from Euston Station, we were aiming to join the Grand Union Canal where it connects to the Thames in Brentford opposite Kew Gardens. We used London’s growing network of cycle paths to get there with some occasional bits of road riding.
Joining the canal we discovered the challenge of rough & muddy towpaths when you only have bike lights to see by! Taking it nice and steady we made our way along 8 miles of tow path to our stop for the night, a Travelodge in Stockley Country Park. It turned out to be a “posh” one, so we’re able to enjoy a drink in the bar before heading to bed.
Day Two
Big plus of a “posh” Travelodge – all you can eat proper breakfast, no pre-packed continental and even better Ewan eats free, so suitably fueled for the adventure ahead, we set off to rejoin the canal.
For the first few miles we enjoyed smooth towpaths that lulled us into a false sense of security, but soon the reality of our day’s riding was revealed, flinty, muddy paths covered in wet leaves, we had to resort to regular stops and clear mud & leaves from our wheels when they jammed up!
The canal was beautiful, mirror calm reflecting the autumnal colours. Swans glided past us along with narrow boats and even a pair of paddle boarders. Ewan even got to help one narrow boat through a lock.
To add to the challenges of poor towpaths, an early technical on my bike made riding even more challenging. The mud around my rear mech had caused it get a bit sticky in operation and when I tried to change gear the cable snapped, oops! So I was glad of the flat terrain as I was stuck in the small cog at the back, certainly made getting over bridges tougher.
A lunch stop at Hemel McDonalds we carried on to Berkhamsted where we’d been told about a bike shop, Leisure Wheels. They were fabulous, despite being presented with one of the muddiest bikes they’d ever seen, they replaced my cable and only charged me for the bits, while we enjoyed a drink and cake in a nearby coffee shop.
It was getting dark and our initial target of getting to Milton Keynes was now out of reach, the slow going on the towpaths, mechanicals and early nights had conspired against us. So instead we took the road on to Tring, where we completed our day’s adventure and caught the train home.
Where rode, stopped, ate and slept
Total distance 47 miles
Day One: Euston – Stockley Country Park
- Route on Komoot
- London Northwestern train from Coventry to Euston
- We bought sandwiches at the Sainsbury’s here and eat on our ride
- Cycle to where Grand Union Canal join Thames at Brentford using London Cycleways where possible
- Cycle along canal towpath to Stockley Country Park
- Stayed at Stockley Park Hayes Travelodge
Day Two: Stockley Country Park – Tring
- Route on Komoot
- Breakfast at Travelodge
- Cycled on Canal from Stockley Country Park to Hemel Hempstead
- Lunch at London Rd McDonald’s, just off canal.
- Cycled on Canal from Hemel Hempstead to Berkhamsted
- Bike repaired at Leisure Wheels
- Coffee and Cake at Simmons Bakers – excellent cake range!
- Cycled on road from Berkhamsted to Tring
- London Northwestern train from Tring to Coventry via changes at Milton Keynes and Rugby
