I used an ebike to go back and fetch my car for the first 6 months of cruising (so it was physically much easier than 'manual' cycling). But in the end I gave up the car as I found it too much hassle to keep going back and moving it, even with an ebike. I was also worried that there could be insurance complications, for example the insurance company might assume the vehicle is kept at the home address you give them. And if you tell them you are cruising, and leaving the car parked for a few days at a time in different locations, they might consider this a higher risk, and raise the price of the premium. I think if you are cruising very slowly, staying in one spot for say a week at a time, and staying mostly within a general radius of say 50 miles, then you can save all the the good/convenient parking places into your satnav, and you can move the car easily between them. That slow cruising style makes the car easier to manage. But if you are cruising on most days, and doing 5-10 mile cruises, then the distances involved in fetching the car, and the frequency that you have to do it, make things a bit of a hassle. Also, now that its getting wetter and more muddy on the towpaths, the idea of cycling 5-10 miles starts to feel a bit risky (especially with the state of some towpaths), and using the roads seems more safe. I tried a 3 mile towpath ride the other day and I found it pretty sketchy- deep ruts filled with mud, very slippery conditions, and the bike sliding all over the place.
Hi! Now I´m up in time with you and I have loved the films so far and I´m glad that you are out moving again after Covid, Lorna had it too and hers was apparently even harder than yours she was "out" for about a month or so.
Wow... that was some bike ride taking the scenic route and I can't believe that tree is still there! You said that you mostly worked from home when you did have your car, so, how do you get into the office on the days that you have to? Steve
I have a vehicle and I am a continuous cruiser. I use it to get to work as the distance varies depending on where I am on the Grand Union. It is easier than I expected to find parking close by and I use a bike to cycle back when I move the boat. Generally I cruise only 3 miles at a time every 2 weeks. There was a huge problem getting insurance when I described my situation honestly to the company. In fact they cancelled my policy. Adrian Flux were the only people who would insure me and they wanted £650 for it.
That was an excellent cycle ride but as the previous chap said not the sort of thing to do in the winter with ice every ware. Take care & enjoy & still looking very well. 🥂
As you went under Bridge 89 and the towpath dropped away into the canal my heart leapt. Looks pretty scary even on a sunny day! Do you find that some inexperienced boaters moor up with their ropes going over the towpath? So good to see you looking so much better; hopefully you will continue to full health and feel as good as you did pre-Covid. Good vlog Kayleigh 👏👏
Excellent Vlog we totally agree it gave a totally different perspective of the canal .Very nice to watch but cycling not for us silvertops . Have to say you are looking so much better just hope you are feeling it. Meanwhile we are still finding what goes where and how everything works. The coffee and cake offer still stands if you are down our way .Stay well ATB George and Jenny .
@@LiveaboardLifestyle Settling in is easy the other residents have been really helpful loads of good information about the river and locks. One scary moment was moving the boat out of the marina onto the Avon to re-fuel and have a pump out .The boat is just so different in handling compared to our 50 broads cruiser . Enjoy your Scottish visit and stay well. ATB. George & Jenny
I would definitely land in the canal or the hedge if I tried cycling those paths, looks a good way to keep fit if you're a competent rider with a sense of balance though. Interesting to hear how you manage the vehicle plus boat but icey winter paths might be a challenge. Guess that's the time to use a taxi.
Cycling is great, but I personally would find that a real hassle having to cycle back each time you move the boat. How do you cope in the winter when the footpath is reduced to mud, or when the footpath is plain grass? Is there nowhere you can leave the camper van unattended for a longer period of time, i.e. weeks or months?
Its a really interesting topic kayleigh, i dont like staying in a marina and would luv to live on the canals but because of my job and 4am start and needing my car i find it difficult how you would get your car near where you moor your boat in a safe place and just how far to travel to find the right mooring places.
Mad seeing you cycle one of my favourite routes 😂 I often stick the bike on the train to Penkridge, have a meal in a pub and then zing it all the way back to Rugeley ☺ however I did go in the drink for the first time ever a few days ago at Wolverley Bridge (on my 35th birthday lmao 😂) so I think I might be retiring for the winter now. Made me wonder what I would've done if I wasn't just 2 miles from home, it was a real cold evening as well. 😢 The Birmingham networks which are also close by are really good for cycling as for the most part they're paved properly everywhere ☺
I used an ebike to go back and fetch my car for the first 6 months of cruising (so it was physically much easier than 'manual' cycling).
But in the end I gave up the car as I found it too much hassle to keep going back and moving it, even with an ebike.
I was also worried that there could be insurance complications, for example the insurance company might assume the vehicle is kept at the home address you give them. And if you tell them you are cruising, and leaving the car parked for a few days at a time in different locations, they might consider this a higher risk, and raise the price of the premium.
I think if you are cruising very slowly, staying in one spot for say a week at a time, and staying mostly within a general radius of say 50 miles, then you can save all the the good/convenient parking places into your satnav, and you can move the car easily between them. That slow cruising style makes the car easier to manage.
But if you are cruising on most days, and doing 5-10 mile cruises, then the distances involved in fetching the car, and the frequency that you have to do it, make things a bit of a hassle.
Also, now that its getting wetter and more muddy on the towpaths, the idea of cycling 5-10 miles starts to feel a bit risky (especially with the state of some towpaths), and using the roads seems more safe.
I tried a 3 mile towpath ride the other day and I found it pretty sketchy- deep ruts filled with mud, very slippery conditions, and the bike sliding all over the place.
Glad to see you back and healthy again.
Thank you Michael 😊
Hi! Now I´m up in time with you and I have loved the films so far and I´m glad that you are out moving again after Covid, Lorna had it too and hers was apparently even harder than yours she was "out" for about a month or so.
Thank you. I hope she is ok now!
Wow... that was some bike ride taking the scenic route and I can't believe that tree is still there!
You said that you mostly worked from home when you did have your car, so, how do you get into the office on the days that you have to? Steve
Hi Steve I use my partners Campervan if I need to. Luckily I am home based so the need is rare!
Thanks for that video I miss home and the canal system so it brought back memories thank you 👍
You’re welcome, glad you enjoyed it!
I have a vehicle and I am a continuous cruiser. I use it to get to work as the distance varies depending on where I am on the Grand Union. It is easier than I expected to find parking close by and I use a bike to cycle back when I move the boat. Generally I cruise only 3 miles at a time every 2 weeks. There was a huge problem getting insurance when I described my situation honestly to the company. In fact they cancelled my policy. Adrian Flux were the only people who would insure me and they wanted £650 for it.
Thanks Kayleigh for the great info…stay safe and happy cruising 🥰
Thanks Vicki 😊
That was an excellent cycle ride but as the previous chap said not the sort of thing to do in the winter with ice every ware.
Take care & enjoy & still looking very well. 🥂
As you went under Bridge 89 and the towpath dropped away into the canal my heart leapt. Looks pretty scary even on a sunny day! Do you find that some inexperienced boaters moor up with their ropes going over the towpath? So good to see you looking so much better; hopefully you will continue to full health and feel as good as you did pre-Covid. Good vlog Kayleigh 👏👏
Thanks Jill. Very occasionally I think Ive seen it with a hire boat only once. Thanks again 😊
A very timely vlog as I'll be discovering soon for myself what it's like to cruise and have a car.
Just wanted you to know that foxes afloat are in Scotland on the canals while waiting for their new narrowboat
Thanks Rob, I’ll check out the vlog!
You are looking so much better. Thank you for another interesting vlog.
Thank you Nanci 😊
I sure will need a life Jacket 😂 and floaties for my cycle, when I fly off in the Cut !!!!!
Oh Geez 🤣!
Excellent Vlog we totally agree it gave a totally different perspective of the canal .Very nice to watch but cycling not for us silvertops . Have to say you are looking so much better just hope you are feeling it. Meanwhile we are still finding what goes where and how everything works. The coffee and cake offer still stands if you are down our way .Stay well ATB George and Jenny .
Thank you both! That would be lovely! How are you both settling in?
@@LiveaboardLifestyle Settling in is easy the other residents have been really helpful loads of good information about the river and locks. One scary moment was moving the boat out of the marina onto the Avon to re-fuel and have a pump out .The boat is just so different in handling compared to our 50 broads cruiser . Enjoy your Scottish visit and stay well. ATB. George & Jenny
I would definitely land in the canal or the hedge if I tried cycling those paths, looks a good way to keep fit if you're a competent rider with a sense of balance though.
Interesting to hear how you manage the vehicle plus boat but icey winter paths might be a challenge. Guess that's the time to use a taxi.
Cycling is great, but I personally would find that a real hassle having to cycle back each time you move the boat. How do you cope in the winter when the footpath is reduced to mud, or when the footpath is plain grass? Is there nowhere you can leave the camper van unattended for a longer period of time, i.e. weeks or months?
Its a really interesting topic kayleigh, i dont like staying in a marina and would luv to live on the canals but because of my job and 4am start and needing my car i find it difficult how you would get your car near where you moor your boat in a safe place and just how far to travel to find the right mooring places.
Silly question but couldn’t you move the boat and your partner move the camper van and then meet when you have moored the boat?
You didn't mention the biggest problem of finding a mooring spot that is also close to a parking spot.
Hi Ann I haven’t had a problem with this.
A T4!
Mad seeing you cycle one of my favourite routes 😂 I often stick the bike on the train to Penkridge, have a meal in a pub and then zing it all the way back to Rugeley ☺ however I did go in the drink for the first time ever a few days ago at Wolverley Bridge (on my 35th birthday lmao 😂) so I think I might be retiring for the winter now. Made me wonder what I would've done if I wasn't just 2 miles from home, it was a real cold evening as well. 😢
The Birmingham networks which are also close by are really good for cycling as for the most part they're paved properly everywhere ☺
Wolseley Bridge* new phone lmao 😂
Or because he would be faster than you he could cycle back to meet you and then continue on the boat together.
The difference between a cheap bike and a good one is like a Ford Escort to a Mercedes. Much easier to ride a quality bike.
Definitely Mike!
It could be rather dangerous in mid winter
my pet hate is cyclists going too fast on towpaths whilst i am walking my dog so please slow down if you see me walking my dog.
Cycling the tow path would not be easy in snow.
Definetly not!
Are you back into good health then?
I found it a nightmare