Autumn Colours & the Canal to Gloucester Cycle Ride

[@andyfairchild2383]

That was timely of the YT algorithm to serve me this video, I rode a lot of that route yesterday! Thornbury to Berkeley via Shepperdine and onto Sharpness, along the canal to Purton and then back to Thornbury. Lovely ride, thankfully a bit drier than you encountered - I was on a road bike. The roads around Sharpness docks aren’t actually restricted, although it certainly feels that way. All the signs refer to the land and businesses off the road. You can get to the end of the canal via the path by the Sharpness Social Club, across the lock that connects the canal to the Severn. Great video, thank you 😊

[@MadisonTen]

Weird coincidence! KZbin spying on you ☺️ Do you have any issues riding on the grassy parts of canal trails on a road bike or do you avoid those parts? Yes, a few people have said it's accessible. The problem I had was as you come down the carriage into Sharpness docks and turn right (Bridge Road), that's where I saw the "No Cyclist" sign (along with other things like no under 18s and no radioactive materials 🤔) so I didn't take the chance. I think it's because of the large trucks that come and go. So I assume you go down from Oldminster Road over the old bridge? Or do you just carry on, on Bridge Road? Thanks for the feedback ☺️🚴🏻‍♀️

[@andyfairchild2383]

@@MadisonTen I rode along Bridge Road, over the bridge and took the second left past the Social Club entrance. That takes you along a gravel track and down to the sea lock at the end of the canal. I realised it was ok to be there when I saw “Cyclists Dismount” signs on the bridge, presumably because there are recessed rail tracks crossing the road. The towpath was heavy going in places, but not too bad. My bike is a Moulton, so 1 1/12” wide tyres which help off road but 20” diameter wheels which dont! I wouldn’t ride it in wetter conditions though.

[@ianmckenney9080]

Nice video, good to see the old Cyclists Touring Club sign on the pub in Berkeley.

[@MadisonTen]

Wow! You've got sharp eyes! I never spotted that ☺️ Thanks

[@paulrichter3081]

well done, looks it would be an even nicer ride if the conditions were better. Well done for stickignwit it.

[@MadisonTen]

Thanks, Paul! Yes, it was a bit muddy from what I remember and a stinking bike by the end, but thankfully dry weather. A pleasant trail. ☺️🚴🏻‍♀️

[@marksmith1676]

I love this stretch of canal. I’ve walked it and paddle boarded parts but just haven’t yet cycled it. Same with the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal. Anyway great viewing and you’ve given me the inspiration to cycle both routes with my kids. next spring. 😂

[@MadisonTen]

Oh so jealous of the paddle boarding it. May be a Canadian canoe would be nice. Yes! Definitely next spring 🤭

[@fatbiker5159]

Great video. Very impressive sunrise footage. I've done some of these sections myself and suffered with the mixed terrain. i.e. the wheels stopped moving with the mud..! Well done for getting a good day for a winter ride. 👍

[@MadisonTen]

Thank you so much. Yes, very blessed to have been able to go just as the sun was rising and the fog floating above the fields. Oh so easy to get stopped in the mud, especially when the wheels start spinning. Almost happened a couple of times. 🤭

[@miketreloar8285]

Nice ride, I enjoyed that! Lots of history in that area. I think you made the right decision taking to the lanes, it looked as if there had been a lot of rain recently.

[@MadisonTen]

Thanks, Mike! Yes, lots of rain that week. It was so slow and a few miles so just not worth it. It’ll always be there another day.

[@julianhawker7672]

Very nice, you nailed the feel of it for me. Its a ride I have done a few times and Purton or Sharpness are favorite stopping points, it certainly looked WET! I never thought to try the door on the tin church but will do next time I am that way. A interesting variation of part of this route is to start at Gloucester, go down the canal to Saul junction, cut across through Whitminster to the Stroudwater canal. You can follow this restored canal ( Traffic free) to Stroud and beyond, it then becomes very wild, where the canal is not restored and is a nice ride, all past Chalford right up to Sapperton. From Sapperton its quiet back lanes to Miserden, Whiteway colony and on to Cranham. Then its down a large hill into Gloucester again. Lots of interesting stuff on route, 80% off the road on paths and places to stop/get food drink on route. Recommended if your back up that way. Take care. 👍

[@MadisonTen]

Thanks very much. So glad you liked it. Thanks for the route, that sounds perfect. Definitely one to add to my list for the future I think.

[@Gladysthenarrowboat]

Nice video - I've been thinking of riding the towpath from Gloucester to Sharpness myself and had wondered what condition it'd be in. Now I know! That was a good distance to do, and so much to see. Nice train ride back, seeing Severn Bridge lit up too. Oh... but it looks like someone had to wash their bike when they got home!

[@MadisonTen]

Yes, I love seeing the bridge all lit up. Shame the train windows weren’t a little cleaner ☺️ Washed the bike the very next day, as were the bags, bottle, trainers, clothes…

[@Gladysthenarrowboat]

Yes, it looks like you got pretty muddy. Well done anyway - quite a ride to take on and a long day by the looks of it. Looking forward to your next one - and more piano please! 😊

[@MadisonTen]

I did see your trip the other day to the end of the canal, looking forward to the Brompton setting foot on the trail :-) Thanks very much. I have some more songs I’m working on. 🎹

[@Gladysthenarrowboat]

Great news about the piano👍. Hmm, yes, I haven't done a Brompton video for a while - so maybe I'll do one this week. But sadly I'm becoming a fair-weather cyclist as I get older - that said, once I have my boat, I expect to use the bike a lot, for shopping trips along the towpath 🙂

[@johnaldred6864]

I enjoyed coming along for the ride ....Very interesting .👍

[@tagbobtail]

Great video and nice tribute to your Nan. I hadn’t realised how muddy the canal towpath gets in places as have only ridden the last bit into Gloucester. Another time if you are on the lanes there’s a nice Gelato called Wholly near Elmore (opening limited in Winter though).

[@MadisonTen]

Thanks, much appreciated. Oh brilliant. I’ll need to note that down. I like a good ice cream 😊🚴🏻‍♀️

[@brianroberts4255]

Nice work ! Shame you didn’t find start of canal(think you needed to turn right under he railway bridge go past pub and at end of road path goes over dry dock ) as lots of boats in Marina and Lock out to River Severn that Tall ships have to navigate to Festival in Gloucester Docks . This would make a great Documentary but it is difficult getting notified of exact times Tall Ships come through and Tide dependent.

[@MadisonTen]

Thanks, Brian. I suppose I could have gone further on from the severn bridge remains to get there as well. I didn’t look much further from the dock side as I came across a lot of no unauthorised access signs and no cycling, mostly because of heavy vehicles I think. That would be quite a sight to see the tall ships coming in and sailing up the canal!

[@theheathen100]

The writing on the videos should be bigger. I can't read it ☹

[@MadisonTen]

Thanks, I did increase the size some time last year but it’s probably still too small unless you’re on a TV screen. I’ll see if I can increase some more. It’s a compromise and will have to be frugal with the amount of words ☺️ 🚴🏻‍♀️ cheers!

[@berniethebolt3007]

All that mud and water but no mudguards? The tow path was in a terrible state - I wouldn't touch it with.....

[@MadisonTen]

I’ve considered mud guards a few times but in the first couple of years I didn’t ride in winter and wet conditions that often, but I do now. I’m torn 🤭 I do have a large wash brush.