Back in the day, when I lived down south, many weekends in spring and summer, me and a couple of friends used to go cycling along the part of the Grand Union Canal that runs between Hemel Hempstead and Tring. There are many pubs along that route, and we would cycle all the way to Tring without stopping, have lunch at a Pub in Tring by the canal, and then ride back, stopping at most of the pubs on the way back! It was a 16 mile round trip with a killer hill to do to get back home, I was so fit back then!!
Sadly I can’t find my photo’s from then 😦 but the route along the canal was stunning. We would stop and watch the brightly painted canal barges go by, waving at the oldies and their dogs as they chundled past. It was lovely to watch them go through the canal locks, and we even helped with the locks now and then. There were long uninhabited stretches where tall weeping willows kissed the water with their long, lazy branches and birdsong was our soundtrack. Sometimes we’d see a heron fishing for his lunch, or dinner.
For some of the route the River Bulbourne runs parallel to the canal and we’d stop to gaze at the large riverside homes, whos gardens tailed down to the river.
In the built up areas we sometimes had to cross from one side to the other and one day, on the return journey, after the 3rd pub stop, I cycled down the path to take a sharp left bend but instead carried straight on into the canal. Two of my friends had gone ahead already to get the next drinks in 🙄 but my pal Nicki turned round to see my back wheel disappearing under water, and turned back to help me out. I got to the pub dripping wet and went straight off to the ladies where I attempted to dry my clothes under the hand dryer, without much success. My pals were laughing their heads off, and of course, the place was packed so I imagine they were not the only ones.
Since I moved up here life has not lent itself to cycling weekends. Phil and I have done a couple of rides, but there’s so much other stuff that takes priority. But inspiration came from my pal Clare’s Freshty blog this week, and the turn in the weather so I have got my old bike out of the shed (or rather Phil has), pumped up the tyres (or rather Phil has), oiled the chain and gears (or rather Phil has 🤣 ) cleaned it all up (I did that!) and was just about to go out for a spin to check the gears and have a little play, when Phil’s sister and her hubby turned up to wish us Happy Wedding Anniversary for tomorrow and stayed for a cuppa. Any way, the weather is looking good for tomorrow so I will be off on a test drive. How hard can it be? Like riding a bike? 🙂
Ahhh what fun Fraggy . Dave and use to ride our bikes on our canal , till I got to afraid , it’s just way to crowded now . He goes alone , and.. stops for ice cream 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Be careful , have fun and …Happy Anniversary
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will do and thanks 😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well I’m hoping to get rid of some of my old age spread! So won’t be having ice cream 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol , I don’t handle dairy , so he’s on his own 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I was a kid, I was always on my bike. Fraggle, I hope the old photos turn up. It sounds like a magical time. I enjoyed your descriptions greatly. Hugs on the wing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers Teagan!
LikeLike
I bought a mountain bike in the late 80s. I hated it. So heavy, and hard to ride on those fat knobbly tires. I haven’t been on one since, but did once ride a ‘proper’ ‘Sun’ racing bike from South London to Brighton. (I was only 15 at the time) I came home on the train though. 🙂
The Grand Union at Apsley has some nice canal side eateries these days. But I doubt you get back that way now.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
S.London to Brighton is a fair hike that must’ve been fun. No, my canal days are long gone and no reason to go back there now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It took me all day to ride the 45+ miles, with stops. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ding! Ding! Our gal is out Fraggle – Rock – King!
Enjoy the bike ride, the anniversary fizz, and all life has to offer. In B&W, of course!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course! Cheers Naomi.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m trying not to laugh at you riding into the cut, if it was anything like the Leeds-Liverpool then being wet was the least of your worries, although I guess it wasn’t that dirty as there were fish in it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did worry a bit but seemed to be unscathed by the experience, except the mega embarrassment in the pub!
LikeLiked by 1 person