Canal, 40 miler.

Just got back from my pedal with my mate Ski.

First off, I must apologise to him, he doesn't get a chance to pedal too often and I think this hurt him. We've always had through the years pretty much the same level of fitness until I got fat! But I think I'm a pretty fair way ahead at the moment. But it was a testament to his grit and his determination that I know he's got in spades due to other stuff we've done in the past that he got through it. He is always working away and living in hotels so it must be hard to keep in shape with a lifestyle like that.

Onto the pedal, route here:

http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/d1c4/1bb6/4b96/d37e/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20100627-0613.kml

Stats here:
Started: 27 Jun 2010 06:13:24
Ride Time: 4:11:04
Stopped Time: 0:00
Distance: 40.95 miles
Average: 10.90 miles/hr
Fastest Speed: 33.95 miles/hr
Climb: 1099 feet
Calories: 2931

We hammered the lanes to Solihull to get on to the Grand Union Canal at Catherine De Barnes. Where the fun would start.

Ski hammering the lanes around Wythall.

The obligatory "catch me natural" at the start of the cut.

We then carried on along the cut until, we came to the first major thing of note, Knowle Locks.

And a chance for a drink!

The next thing of note was the Black Boy Pub a place I hadn't visited since I was a boy. Unfotunately due to our earliness it wasn't open, so a try of the beer was not an option!

The bikes parked up at the Black Boy.

After the Black Boy pit stop, we headed off towards Lapworth and the end of the Grand Union phase of the pedal. The towpath got a bit dodgy as it was very uneven, narrow and pretty sloping down towards the water. I kind of thought Ski would struggle a bit.

As you can see by the duelling scars caused by an unscheduled dismount he did have his moments!

This was the result of a coming together between him and a thorn bush...

My dueling scar was caused by catching my leg on a fence post, I think, I can't remember what happened truth be told.

Then it was onto the Stratford Canal at Lapworth, this would take us all the way to Kings Norton Junction and NCR5.

First off was Lapworth Locks at the Boot pub.

I took this from the bridge over the canal.

Ski commented that only I could find canal's with hills!

There was now quite a blast over towards Kings Norton, and due to the good weather a few narrow boats were chugging up and down the canal.

Then we left the cut at Kings Norton Junction where I took this on the bridge.

NCR5 is the route forking off to the right off the cut.

A swift pedal on NCR5 took us pretty much all the way to my house. Apart from stopping for my normal visit from the puncture fairy, everything functioned as it should.

I hope Ski enjoyed it as much as I did, he did say he wants to do it again in a couple of weeks as training for when we pedal to my Mom and Dad's at Tywyn in Wales. I have seen him looking better though at the end of the pedal.

Normal commute tomorrow, undecided between road bike or a NCR5 and canal pedal. I'll probably make my mind up when I open the garage tomorrow!