For the most part, Rick and I did pretty much everything together during our trip. But there were a couple of times when we split up because a cyclist has to ride and when it's beautiful, new territory, nothing could have kept Rick from the bike.
So, I'm turning this post over to him, sharing his Facebook post about his cycle ride on our first day. As I was exploring Bath and getting rugby tickets, this was his day!
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This is one of my rare journeys that is not 100 percent by bicycle. My first day here,however, was a bike trip. I walked a mile or two to the canal where I rented one for the day.
It could not have been any better! I headed to Bath by way of the canal and got to meet a lot of helpful people so I could find the rail trail to Bristol. Riding along the canal was fantastic. There were scores of longboats which are probably converted freight boats that are 40 feet long and five feet wide. They varied from pristine to primitive but they all were of unique character.
England built an extensive network of canals to move goods. They are an engineering masterpiece. The picture of a bridge in the trees is an aqueduct of the canal crossing a hundred feet above the Avon River. How did they do that??
I kept an eye out for Romeo but never saw him. Same for Juliet. It seemed possible since I followed the Avon River between Bath and Bristol. But I have never seen so many bike riders! Hundreds of them! It was a steady stream wherever I was on the 15 miles of gorgeous views and well maintained surfaces.
I was lucky enough to meet a representative from Sustrans- the organization that built the trail in the 1970s. It began over a few pints between some forward looking people. It was built with nothing but ordinary people’s muscle and money. The government was not involved at all. Today, however, Sustrans is hugely successful and not only maintains the Bath-Bristol Trail but many others and operates a vast network of cycling routes all over Britain. The government does give them quite a lot of support these days.
I returned to Bath on the trail and stopped at a rest stop operated by a local bike club in an old depot. I was astonished by how nice it was and the variety and quality of the food . The Friends of the Kal-Haven Trail have a lot of catching up to do, which I am sure they will in time.
My penultimate leg of the trip was on the Two Tunnels Trail. Believe it or not, it has two tunnels, one of which is a mile long. Both tunnels are lit and the long one has a sound track.
The last leg was the reverse of the first leg, the mile or so walk back to Morgan’s Forge, our base. It was a very different walk back because it was rush hour. The road I walked on is little more than a goat path, wide enough for one car. PERIOD! Usually no big deal but road construction and Google are sending people this way rather than the main road. The brambles grow right to the edge and I wish I had a pence for every time I thought my toes were going to getting run over.
So, what was my favorite feature of the today? Unquestionably, the bridges. They may be public infrastructure but more so, they are works of art. Their elegance is unsurpassed. What was most notable is that most of them were probably 100+ years old. It seems like the US doesn’t even have trees that old.
The British seem to relish their heritage,history and traditions. We could learn a lot from them. Our history is much shorter but it is still 200 years and more. Why do we have nothing to show for it?
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If you missed Jeanie's day in Bath, you can check it out here!
45 comments:
...the canal boats are fascinating, I've seen them several times on BBC shows on PBS!
Lovely bike ride. Just have to say that canal boats are not usually converted but built recently by several different boat builders in various parts of the country. It's possible to buy them unfinished and DIY and also luxury finished. Lots of people live permanently on the canals of the UK now and many have holidays.
We don't always appreciate out history but we are lucky to have bits of interest everywhere
There are US trees many centuries old, just not planted by white guys! Likewise the civilization is thousands of years old, just not white history! Your account of cycling was very interesting to this noncyclist since girlhood, thank you. I didn't know there were actual bike paths like that.
Hi Rick,
I loved the post. When we were in Cambridge a number of years ago we had only bicycles, no car, so we did a lot of cycling, including along some canals and waterways. It was fabulous, and thanks for reminding me of that good time. There are some beautiful stone railroad bridges in Ann Arbor and nearby that are over 100 years old — we’ll show them to you if you’d llike.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Great post on Rick's bike ride, the photos of the canal and boats are beautiful. Take care, have a great weekend.
Now I want to go to England and ride a bike, even though I don't regulary ride a bike. I want to got through that mile long tunnel and see those gorgeous bridges too. And it looks flat too, which makes walking or riding a dream.Thank you for this great guest post Rick. I enjoyed it! hugs-Erika
Nice to see his segment of the canal path. I agree about the bridges -- they are marvels. We have many around London from the Victorian era.
Rick, it's good to have an off road ride.
I wonder if you saw the narrow boat "Eve"? A very good artist ( and blogger) lives and works on her.
As far as I know Sustrans receives the grants and other finance to build cycle paths, then has to pass them over to the Local Authority for maintenance ( not always done well).
The canal paths came with the canals ( for the horses)
I am sure that was almost thrilling for you. Sometimes, I suffer from a wee bit of envy, probably more from that ride than from anything else that I will see about the trip.
What a lovely place to bike (other than the crowded sections). The bridges would be a highlight for me, too.
We do have old trees, at least here in Canada. I visited one recently that is 1000 years old. I thought about what was happening in Europe in 1224 - not too long after the Magna Carta was signed, and England and France were at war again. Yet that tree grew in the forest, uncaring of world events.
What a fantastic narrative of Rick's cycling adventure! It’s clear he fully embraced the beauty of the canal paths and the charm of the English countryside. The detailed descriptions of the longboats and the engineering marvel of the aqueduct add an engaging historical context to the ride. It’s inspiring to read about the grassroots efforts of Sustrans and how a few passionate individuals transformed cycling in Britain. The camaraderie among cyclists and the stunning views make this journey sound absolutely delightful. It’s great to see how both you and Rick enjoyed different yet complementary experiences during your trip!
I just shared a new post; you are invited to read. Happy weekend!
I've only seen the canal boats on some BBC shows and always liked them. The bridges are very nice and well maintained especially given their age. Great photos, I enjoyed reading about your adventure.
I am quite sure, Rick, that a bike ride along the canal was for more satisfying than looking at flying buttresses and fluted corbeils. Even narrow roads with brambles doubtless held a certain appeal - and your toes are still intact!
oh I just love that you are taking in the sights and sounds of England, friend. you are gathering adventures and memories to last a lifetime. so delightful, friend!
You guys sound like a wonderful team. Most excellent.
You know, now that you mention it, that's odd our trees are so young. The Redwoods are maybe older, right?
Looks like such a nice area-are you from there?
Redwoods and live oaks, and not many other trees live very long, especially with pollution.
There was a maple tree near here when I was growing up. Nobody knew how old it was but it was a BIG maple tree, all alive and green every year. Some greedy person cut it down in 1982. By the growth rings it was over 200 years old--and it wasn't worth as much for lumber as the greedy person hoped, either, because it had grown completely around a big hollow patch inside.
There are trees like that in a small patch of National Forest land near Appalachia. Four people together can reach around them and group-hug a hemlock tree. Those trees are believed to have been alive when the first Englishmen walked through the forest below them.
I hope the thought of these trees brightens your day!
Thank you Rick for sharing your bike adventure along the canal! Lovely photos and information.
I follow some narrowboaters in England on YouTube! Interesting people and fascinating lifestyle. There are so many gorgeous old brick bridges. They are a sight to see. Tunnels made so long ago...and the aqueducts! Amazing. Sounds like an exciting trip along the canal. Usually very friendly people along them. :)
It been ages since I rode a bike.
A very nice trip! 1991 I wanted to go from Dover to London by push-bike. My then-boy-friend´s bike got stolen...
The canal sounds amazing with those unique longboats and all the friendly folks along the way. I enjoyed reading about Rick's bike ride; the photos of the canal and boats are stunning!
Happy Sunday, Jeanie!
Thank you, Rick for sharing your interesting bike ride. The canal is fascinating and a great way to be immersed in the local culture!
What a fascinating post. I watch a lot of British mysteries and was truly impressed with the long boats in the canal, as well as the bridges. I learned a lot about the cyclists and how the trails got their start.
Good for you and doing what your heart wanted to do.💫
What an awesome ride in England! The pictures are wonderful, thanks for the tour.
Looks like a great ride with lovely photos along the way.
Thanks, Rick, for sharing your special bike trip. What a fun way to see another country and enjoy their beauty. The canals, bridges, and paths are indeed something we in the US could have more of.
I enjoyed Rick’s Day on his bike. Sounds lovely great pictures. You are both great storytellers
Nice job, Rick! Looks like an amazing trip.
An enjoyable read. I think Europeans in general relish their heritage, history and traditions more so than Americans.
The bike trails, the canals, the bridges---Makes me want to move to England!
What a nice post, I'm thrilled. This summer I was in the UK for the very first time... in the south of England. I only have good things to say, it was one of our best holidays ever. And next year... what do you think...?
We weren't in Bath. But next time it will be there... what I'm most looking forward to is the canal and the boats. And the bike can be rented? Yes, then get in the saddle.
Thank you very much for your report.
The canal walk seems so lovely to do. The scenery is beautiful.
Nice post to read.
A great post, so enjoyable.
Rick’s day on his bike, the canal ... everything looks and sounds great.
All the best Jan
Riding a bike seems like such a wonderful way to get to know an area, and this canal-side excursion seems especially lovely -- great pictures, too! Those bridges are truly a marvel. Also: canals in England? Who knew?
I'm glad Rick had enjoyable bike rides and those first photos took me back to my time on an English Canal boat this summer! I loved reading his comments about history and the bridges which most would past over or through without a thought being awesome - a great read. Thanks you!
Wren x
Rick and Jeanie,
WOW! Amazing pictures!! Thanks for sharing and thanks for always stopping by!!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Rick is an excellent writer, very descriptive and he knows his history.
Britain has so many ways to see the country including bike trails and canals. I'd love to have a canal boat ride.
Lovely sights from your bike ride Rick! Those canals are amazing!
Jenna
What a pleasant journey Rick had on his bike. The scenery and sites that he saw. It sounds like he had a lot of fellow cyclists accompanying him along the way. The Two Tunnels Trail sounds interesting, And so nice he met friendly people and had some good food at the rest stop. The bridge photo is so charming. Yes, there are trees in the states that are 100 years old. I had one in my hometown that I appreciated every time I saw it. Thanks for sharing a little of Rick's adventure with us.
~Sheri
This looks like a wonderful area to ride and enjoy the scenery. So glad you two had a lovely time.
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