Cracking vid this. Cycled the G U from Brentford to Milton Keynes last August Early start, like 7am. Seriously narrow in places with overgrown bushes/bramble, but glad to have done this
Fantastic for you all. Living life fully engaged in a healthy and fun way. I just moved to London from Washington, DC and am looking for similar canal bike adventures.
Brilliant video. I live on the marina at Croxley Green, I’m surprised I didn’t see you in the harvester. I’ve cycled all the local bits of the canal from Alperton right up to Kings Langley. I’m waiting for my hips to get better and I’m hoping to do the Euro Velo 6 😎
James had vegetarian black pudding then? An easy ride, it has to be I suppose, following a canal. You were lucky with the weather. Well done. Thank you.
Finished watching your video and wow I've been thinking about doing this and I'm now looking at doing it in 3 weeks time I'm starting in Birmingham. After seeing your video I'm so looking forward to doing this
😊 well done and a nice quality to it. Did this trip from London to northampton many years ago and yes it was bumpy in parts back then which can wear you out. Was going to do it again sometime if i can get the grumpy gang together again😅
As bicycle tourers ourselves, living in New Zealand, you guys are a breath of fresh air with your narration and down to earth comments. We had a great chuckle watching this and recognised several places as we did this ride at the start of our 2014 tour. Keep having fun! Love from NZ !
I thought I recognised that lady Mary, she off the series skint what used to be on BBC 1 back in 2006 . She used to work in cash convertors in Erdington birmingham.
This was a great adventure, achievement, well done everyone what a blast, lm poised and ready to come over to the UK and do a trip like this can't wait
Excellent video. I did it as part of a ride from Bristol to London to Birmingham and back all on the canals. You did well to miss out the section after the Oxford spur, the towpath is almost non existent and absolutely treacherous. Well done👍
Absolutely enjoyed the ride! I live in Boise, Idaho, USA. My husband and I plan to rent a narrow boat for 2 months on the canals and get to see a bit of the UK, as well as the Cotswolds. After watching you guys, we may have to add a cyling trip on to that plan! We will be following you.
When this lockdown is over I am planning on walking the entire length of this Grand Union Canal, with wild camping inbetween. I aim to start in London and end up in Wales, so I am looking for videos exactly like yours to get an idea of what to expect. This is absolutely brilliant/perfect! Haven't watched all of it, but I will do so. Thanks for posting.
@@traveller3891 I just recently walked from London to Birmingham on the Grand Union Canal (6-part videos on my channel). I stopped at Birmingham because my friend got seriously attacked under bridge 88E. Now I realise just how bloody dangerous it is!
We are planning to do this in 2023. Can you tell me where we need to get off the canal and back on again. Don't suppose the paths have improved much in the last few years.
Hi, here is the accompanying blog post which includes a downloadable .gpx of our Route....good luck with your trip and please let us know how you get on 😃
Absolutely brilliant. What an adventute and achievement. Congratulations. Excellent video, content, editing and commentary. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. You are an inspiration Sarah.
You found an absolute gem with that pub :) I discovered many years ago that the best places to camp are near a pub. After a long day in the saddle, sitting down to a good meal and a relaxing drink really rounds the day off nicely.
Brilliant. You took me back a few years to when I walked from Paddington Basin to Burton on Trent v the Grand Union to Gas St, the Birmingham and Fazeley, the Coventry and then the Trent and Mersey. I agree that the towpath is very 'variable'. some like a superhighway and some I found, even walking with a light pack, almost impenetrable. Your gang did great. I envy you and wish you were based nearer to Burton on Trent. Sorry to hear of LordHeath 1972's attack. (below) I was under a trunk road bridge nr West Drayton with a guy following me. Another appeared at the other end of the underpass. Luckily I was sporting a stout thumbstick and carried it in a fashion that suggested I would use it and the guy in front backed off and I went on my way. Not a nice experience. Envy your adventure and your gang. Paul in the Mids.
What an excellent film. I'm a cyclist in the North West and like you love tow paths and paths in general, as an old cyclist I met years ago said "It isn't the quantity of miles, it is the quality". I loved the cycle through London on the cycle super highway. Your campsite near the ruins of St Peter's look great and also the one next to the pub (what a find that was). Also what is outstanding is that even so close to Birmingham (and in my case Manchester) the canal provides a 'green highway'
Hi. Awesome video! Finally had time to watch this in entirety. Is there a link to the full route you took from the start of the canal in Brentford? Also, where was that tunnel with the stairs?
Looks like you had great fun! I enjoyed the vid, however be careful, it’s illegal to camp in Whippendell Woods, rangers patrol regularly. In fact you have to be more sneaky wild-camping in England as it’s against the law.
That was wonderful people. Real cycling. Think my biggest laugh was hearing Sarah's accent go from Birmingham Comprehensive to Cheltenham Ladies College when she said hello to strangers on the path! Hope to run into you all somewhere, sometime.
enjoyed your video! Biked it myself a couple of years ago, but did the Paddington branch. Don't blame you for avoiding the horrendous towpath around the Oxford canal section!!
Just watched this, what a great adventure, I recognise from Kingswood Junction to Birmingham as I have recently walked all that in sections but was good to see what's to come. Thanks for the video, looking forward to watching more of your adventures.
Well done, really enjoyed watching. Me and a mate camped between Leighton Buzzard and MK right next to the canal a week back and walked a short section into Fenny Stratford and talked about walking the whole lot maybe when we retire. I used to live right next to it in Yiewsley, West London and also worked quite close to the Paddington basin at the time and cycled that bit quite a few times.
Thanks for sharing, will definitely be giving this a try sometime soon, would love to explore the whole length of the Grand Union. Would love to join you on a ride sometime too as a fellow midlander.
This looks amazing, so much so that rather than cycle it I think I may walk it next summer. Its been two years since I did a long multiday walk and I am looking forward to hiking from South to North along YOUR canal path, Tony in Essex.
Oh my God... I just wanted to get on a bike an join you all. So different from the bush in zambia. I've only started riding the lastb7 months and I think I'm addicted. It was so funny watching you. Few times when the camera went into the canal I thought that's where you where going.😂 when I get to England I want to come riding with you all... dreams... love them..
Hi. Nice video! I'm planning on walking the route, you say that there are a few sections where the tow path is not very good! Could you say roughly where. Just doing some research and planning so any information or help would be much appreciated. Many thanks
Really enjoyed watching this. Furthest I've done on the Grand Union is Paddington to West Drayton so props to you guys for going all the way back to Birmingham.
Well you done it you have inspired me. I have train tickets to rugby and I'm booked in at the Nelson for the 9th (and thay said I can camp thanks to you) So I'm riding back to London not the other way round
Looks like you had lots of fun. I did it the opposite way last August started in Solihull and finished at Brentford. I managed to follow the towpath all the way but its a bit scary in places. I camped and did it solo.
Impressive trip, one frustrating thing about the tow paths going through a city is that they get very busy in sections on weekends during nice weather. Widening tow paths and making them 100% smooth paving (talking about central city sections) to enable space for pedestrians and cyclists would seem like a relatively cheap win-win compared to say the multi-year consultations and expensive highway engineering required for dedicated cycleways. However the canal network in the UK is owned and maintained by a charity who do not have the funds to do such fundamental rework. It seems crazy that such a valuable under-used resource (in terms of transport) is run by a charity. London also has a really good network of traffic-calmed "Quietway" streets, trouble is you really need to be a local to make the most out of those as they arent always obvious where and how they all link up to each other. I much prefer these for cycling than the Super Highways. Basically still a work in progress overall! Worth pointing out when HS2 opens between London and Birmingham it will have a dedicated cycle path built into its route.
Really good video it's a route I want to do! Thanks for sharing! 😊
Cracking vid this.
Cycled the G U from Brentford to Milton Keynes last August
Early start, like 7am.
Seriously narrow in places with overgrown bushes/bramble, but glad to have done this
Fantastic for you all. Living life fully engaged in a healthy and fun way. I just moved to London from Washington, DC and am looking for similar canal bike adventures.
Brilliant video. I live on the marina at Croxley Green, I’m surprised I didn’t see you in the harvester. I’ve cycled all the local bits of the canal from Alperton right up to Kings Langley. I’m waiting for my hips to get better and I’m hoping to do the Euro Velo 6 😎
James had vegetarian black pudding then? An easy ride, it has to be I suppose, following a canal. You were lucky with the weather. Well done. Thank you.
good trip to do.....but v tiring...plenty pubs though,,,,,,,watch out for muddy paths
Brilliantly done
Love retro bikes and that’s a trek 😊
That’s great bicycling adventuring right there! 🚲🔔
Wonderful to watch. Thank you for sharing. Can’t wait for your next adventure.
Finished watching your video and wow I've been thinking about doing this and I'm now looking at doing it in 3 weeks time I'm starting in Birmingham. After seeing your video I'm so looking forward to doing this
Brilliant vid again. Another route I'm planning on doing. Bostin 👍
Oh my, I haven’t watched much of this video and I am excited to see the tour. “I want to ride my bicycle”,
You guys are awesome!!! I love you guys!!!👍👍👍
It's like watching a feel good movie!
Cool video.
I'd love to get a small group together and cycle up to Milton Keynes....
loving your adventures by bike...take care & all the best from Germany 😉
Get adventure, nice to see others that are not about miles but the adventure and having fun.
Ah thats just a great trip right there bless you guys really made me smile
😊 well done and a nice quality to it. Did this trip from London to northampton many years ago and yes it was bumpy in parts back then which can wear you out. Was going to do it again sometime if i can get the grumpy gang together again😅
Loved this video thankyou. So glad I've found your channel. Im a fellow brummie who loves to ride out.
Ah - the good old hawthorn punctures! We get plenty of them after hedge clipping (slashing) down here in Tasmania. Great trip Adventurers.
Hey Ant, thanks for watching and for the cup of tea. Tasmania is one of my most treasured travel destinations. I cycled many miles there 😃
As bicycle tourers ourselves, living in New Zealand, you guys are a breath of fresh air with your narration and down to earth comments. We had a great chuckle watching this and recognised several places as we did this ride at the start of our 2014 tour. Keep having fun! Love from NZ !
I thought I recognised that lady Mary, she off the series skint what used to be on BBC 1 back in 2006 . She used to work in cash convertors in Erdington birmingham.
Great video and what an amazing route 👍✌
A proper adventure and camaraderie! 🎩
You mean you made it into London and had a kipper tie lol , excellent funny and inspiring in equal measures
Love this film and the people I really enjoyed it. So down to earth it's great keep up the good work !
You are an inspiration, all having a great time but not taking yourselves too seriously.
Great video guys!
This was a great adventure, achievement, well done everyone what a blast, lm poised and ready to come over to the UK and do a trip like this can't wait
Excellent video. I did it as part of a ride from Bristol to London to Birmingham and back all on the canals. You did well to miss out the section after the Oxford spur, the towpath is almost non existent and absolutely treacherous. Well done👍
Absolutely enjoyed the ride! I live in Boise, Idaho, USA. My husband and I plan to rent a narrow boat for 2 months on the canals and get to see a bit of the UK, as well as the Cotswolds. After watching you guys, we may have to add a cyling trip on to that plan! We will be following you.
Welcome to the channel 🤩 boating & cycling the canals is a super way to see the UK. Do get in touch when you are here 😃
Great video! Thanks.
You guys seem like a fantastic bunch to cycle with. If you fancy an adventure in Sweden some time … 😊
That was a brilliant ride and film, bossing 👍👍👍👍
When this lockdown is over I am planning on walking the entire length of this Grand Union Canal, with wild camping inbetween. I aim to start in London and end up in Wales, so I am looking for videos exactly like yours to get an idea of what to expect. This is absolutely brilliant/perfect! Haven't watched all of it, but I will do so. Thanks for posting.
I’m hoping to walk it too, but Birmingham to London, walking it in one 48 hour period. Can’t wait to get out and about!
That sounds insane. Are you going to document your adventure.
@@traveller3891 I just recently walked from London to Birmingham on the Grand Union Canal (6-part videos on my channel). I stopped at Birmingham because my friend got seriously attacked under bridge 88E. Now I realise just how bloody dangerous it is!
That sounds amazing, insanely amazing! I hope all goes well for you :D
Great proper video. Loads of fun with passionate cyclists. One day I hope to ride with y’all!
Just planning the same trip, but the otherway round and saw this made me want to do it even more any advice ? THANK for posting this.🚴♀🚴♂🚴
We are planning to do this in 2023. Can you tell me where we need to get off the canal and back on again. Don't suppose the paths have improved much in the last few years.
Hi, here is the accompanying blog post which includes a downloadable .gpx of our Route....good luck with your trip and please let us know how you get on 😃
Absolutely brilliant. What an adventute and achievement. Congratulations. Excellent video, content, editing and commentary. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. You are an inspiration Sarah.
Totally fab guys!! made me chuckle!
You found an absolute gem with that pub :) I discovered many years ago that the best places to camp are near a pub. After a long day in the saddle, sitting down to a good meal and a relaxing drink really rounds the day off nicely.
Great trip with lovely people
Great video really enjoyed it 👌🚵🏻♀️🚴🏼♂️
Fun adventure! Hello from the Philippines.
Well done guys you are what cycling is all about 👍
Thanks David. Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching!
Brilliant. You took me back a few years to when I walked from Paddington Basin to Burton on Trent v the Grand Union to Gas St, the Birmingham and Fazeley, the Coventry and then the Trent and Mersey. I agree that the towpath is very 'variable'. some like a superhighway and some I found, even walking with a light pack, almost impenetrable. Your gang did great. I envy you and wish you were based nearer to Burton on Trent.
Sorry to hear of LordHeath 1972's attack. (below) I was under a trunk road bridge nr West Drayton with a guy following me. Another appeared at the other end of the underpass. Luckily I was sporting a stout thumbstick and carried it in a fashion that suggested I would use it and the guy in front backed off and I went on my way. Not a nice experience.
Envy your adventure and your gang.
Paul in the Mids.
What an excellent film. I'm a cyclist in the North West and like you love tow paths and paths in general, as an old cyclist I met years ago said "It isn't the quantity of miles, it is the quality". I loved the cycle through London on the cycle super highway. Your campsite near the ruins of St Peter's look great and also the one next to the pub (what a find that was). Also what is outstanding is that even so close to Birmingham (and in my case Manchester) the canal provides a 'green highway'
Thank you Adam, glad you enjoyed it 😃
I know it’s only 14 miles but I intend to ride from Birmingham to Wolverhampton a great video guys and girls 👍
Hi.
Awesome video!
Finally had time to watch this in entirety.
Is there a link to the full route you took from the start of the canal in Brentford?
Also, where was that tunnel with the stairs?
thanks for showing us the whole grand union canal
What a great bunch of people having fun on their bikes ! Brilliant 👌
Cheers Mark 🙌
Ha ha brilliant video...very entertaining and inspirational! 👍🏼
Thanks Tim 😀
Looks like you had great fun! I enjoyed the vid, however be careful, it’s illegal to camp in Whippendell Woods, rangers patrol regularly. In fact you have to be more sneaky wild-camping in England as it’s against the law.
Brilliant info 👌 going to try your trip.. B33
That was wonderful people. Real cycling. Think my biggest laugh was hearing Sarah's accent go from Birmingham Comprehensive to Cheltenham Ladies College when she said hello to strangers on the path! Hope to run into you all somewhere, sometime.
One does try Brian 😜🤣🤣 Thanks for watching 🤩
Great effort! Thanks for showing us all your adventure!
I had a lovely time watching this. Such a fun group, I adored you all.
I came across your bike tour canals I always wanted to do this and I love watching. And I would love to come cycling with u on my mountain bike.
Fun adventure! I watched a slow TV of a canal boat though some of that - looks really pretty. Thanks for the video.
That was a very enjoyable video well done.
What a great vid and a great bunch of mates. Gotta love Brummies! Bostin!
Great film, giving you a wave in the tring cutting
enjoyed your video! Biked it myself a couple of years ago, but did the Paddington branch. Don't blame you for avoiding the horrendous towpath around the Oxford canal section!!
Thank you great video, I would might hopefully do that route next year, and then include the Netherton tunnel in Birmingham,
Just watched this, what a great adventure, I recognise from Kingswood Junction to Birmingham as I have recently walked all that in sections but was good to see what's to come. Thanks for the video, looking forward to watching more of your adventures.
Thanks for watching....give us a shout if you see us about 😀
This was a lot of fun to watch I am a new subscriber and I love your sense of humor
Great vid again . Excellent bike james i have one 👍🏻
Watched your London to Birmingham cycle. Made me smile 🙂
What fun! Fantastic sense of freedom and adventure. Love it!
Hello B.A.C I just came across your channel
I really enjoyed this
Thank you!
Just found this video, really enjoyed it. Looking forward to checking out the back catalogue 👍
Cheers, thanks for watching 🤩
well done guys....hope do this trip august
Well done, really enjoyed watching. Me and a mate camped between Leighton Buzzard and MK right next to the canal a week back and walked a short section into Fenny Stratford and talked about walking the whole lot maybe when we retire. I used to live right next to it in Yiewsley, West London and also worked quite close to the Paddington basin at the time and cycled that bit quite a few times.
Thanks for sharing, will definitely be giving this a try sometime soon, would love to explore the whole length of the Grand Union. Would love to join you on a ride sometime too as a fellow midlander.
This looks amazing, so much so that rather than cycle it I think I may walk it next summer. Its been two years since I did a long multiday walk and I am looking forward to hiking from South to North along YOUR canal path, Tony in Essex.
Lovely 🌹💐 nice trip
Brilliant video and great work. Well done. Looking to do this next month but from Brum to London. Really good to see what you guys went through.
Oh my God... I just wanted to get on a bike an join you all. So different from the bush in zambia. I've only started riding the lastb7 months and I think I'm addicted. It was so funny watching you. Few times when the camera went into the canal I thought that's where you where going.😂 when I get to England I want to come riding with you all... dreams... love them..
Thank you Catherine 😊 glad you enjoyed it 🙌
Absolutely brilliant and fantastic will you do it again sometime I would love to do it Sarah and your team are brilliant thanks enjoyed the video
Going to sort out a good mountain bike
Brilliant video from lovely people, I really enjoyed viewing it, it’s inspired me to go out on a canal path bike ride today, well done to you all😊
Thank you Tom. What a lovely comment 😊 Ride on!!!
Hi. Nice video! I'm planning on walking the route, you say that there are a few sections where the tow path is not very good! Could you say roughly where. Just doing some research and planning so any information or help would be much appreciated. Many thanks
Problem is unless there is a barrier cars and buses tend to go into bike lanes
Nice group 👍
Really enjoyed watching this. Furthest I've done on the Grand Union is Paddington to West Drayton so props to you guys for going all the way back to Birmingham.
Absolutely fantastic VLOG definitely makes me wanna get out and ride, looking forward to getting out with you all soon 😊😊😊🚴♀️🚴♀️🚴♂️🚴♂️
Well done fantast 👍🏼
I was almost late for work as i tried to watch the whole video before getting on my bike. K&A solo trip for me this weekend.
Just ace,thank you
Brilliant,I’ll have to do it on one of my long weekends although you lot have set a high bar fun a fun factor cheers Colin
Well you done it you have inspired me. I have train tickets to rugby and I'm booked in at the Nelson for the 9th (and thay said I can camp thanks to you) So I'm riding back to London not the other way round
This is excellent news!!! Enjoy it it is s fantastic ride and give our regards to the Nelson!! 🤩
Great adventure. I'm looking at walking it from Brum to London
Thanks David. It is a great route. Good luck with your adventure.
I am planning on walking it from London to Birmingham - and then to Wales. We might end up passing each other along the way!!
LOVE this so much that I've just joined your club and I'm working out how I can join your August ride.
It's necessary to have a puncture guru on the team, but honestly, every bike traveller should be able to repair themselves. 👍
Hey great x. Try the kennet and avon canal it great too
Looks like you had lots of fun. I did it the opposite way last August started in Solihull and finished at Brentford. I managed to follow the towpath all the way but its a bit scary in places. I camped and did it solo.
Oh wow Brilliant 👏 I think people underestimate just how challenging towpath riding can be sometimes, but that's the adventure 😀 Thanks for watching 🤩
Impressive trip, one frustrating thing about the tow paths going through a city is that they get very busy in sections on weekends during nice weather. Widening tow paths and making them 100% smooth paving (talking about central city sections) to enable space for pedestrians and cyclists would seem like a relatively cheap win-win compared to say the multi-year consultations and expensive highway engineering required for dedicated cycleways. However the canal network in the UK is owned and maintained by a charity who do not have the funds to do such fundamental rework. It seems crazy that such a valuable under-used resource (in terms of transport) is run by a charity. London also has a really good network of traffic-calmed "Quietway" streets, trouble is you really need to be a local to make the most out of those as they arent always obvious where and how they all link up to each other. I much prefer these for cycling than the Super Highways. Basically still a work in progress overall! Worth pointing out when HS2 opens between London and Birmingham it will have a dedicated cycle path built into its route.
I live next the the GU and would love to do this trip on my Brompton!