Bike Camping along the Lancaster Canal.

For this trip I headed to Oxenholme to cycle the Lancaster canal from near Stainton down to Preston, also taking in the Glasson Branch and a wild camp along the way.
No rushing about, just a gentle ride along this beautiful canal taking in all its glory.
Then looking for a nice secluded spot for a bivi camp.
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Lancaster Canal the history
Promoted by wealthy local merchants in the late 18th century, the Lancaster Canal was originally envisaged as a line from the Bridgewater Canal at Worsley through to Kendal. The plans were torn up and redrawn several times, and the final incarnation as seen today bears little resemblance to the original proposals.
Cargo - the Black and White Canal
The canal's principal purpose was to transport coal north from the Lancashire Coalfields, and limestone south from Cumbria. The nature of these cargoes gave the waterway its local nickname - the Black and White Canal. The Glasson branch (1820) allowed cargo transfer from sea going vessels that could not navigate the increasingly shallow Lune Estuary into Lancaster.
The canal was built in two sections, north and south of the River Ribble. John Rennie designed major two aqueducts, one over the Lune at Lancaster, and one over the Ribble at Preston. Due to problems with the foundations of the Lune Aqueduct, the company ran out of sufficient money to build the Ribble aqueduct to connect the two sections. Instead, a tramway was built from Walton Summit to Preston. This worked adequately, and so the two sections were never connected.
Subsequently, in 1816 a branch was opened from the southern section to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Johnsons Hillock. The section south of Preston became part of the much-delayed Leeds & Liverpool, who leased it in 1863: and the tramway from Walton Summit to Preston eventually closed in the 1880s.
North of Preston, though, the waterway was fairly successful. Because of the lack of locks, the daily Packet Boat passenger service really was 'express' - Kendal could be reached from Preston in an unheard of 10 hours. In fact the service was so comfortable that passengers on the daily runs between Preston and Kendal remained loyal to the waterway for several years after the arrival of the trains.
Roads posed a more serious threat and after a general decline (the last cargo sailing in 1947) the construction of the M6 motorway through the line of the canal finally saw the 14 miles of the Northern Reaches isolated at Tewitfield Locks. The isolated, largely unnavigable section to the north is home to the only tunnel on the Lancaster Canal at Hincaster.
Boating to and from the Lancaster Canal
However, the modern age has benefited the Lancaster Canal in one way: the new Millennium Ribble Link. Opened in 2002 as the first new canal for 97 years, this connects the Lancaster to the national network via the River Ribble, the River Douglas and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal's Rufford Branch.
Chapters
00:22 - Oxenholme
00:42 - intro
01:42 - Canal Starts
07:32 - Tewitfield Marina
08:44 - Carnforth
10:19 - Lune Aquaduct
10:38 - Lancaster
12:15 - Galgate
13:27 - Glasson Basin
14:32 - Garstang
15:20 - Camp
18:30 - Good Morning
19:55 - Puncture #2
21:00 - Brock Marina
23:15 - Ribble Link
23:14 - Canal end
Music used from the KZbin audio library
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#lancastercanal #bikecamping #lancashire

[@donnavansenior]

Just when I think I've achieved everything in life.....along comes a bike-packing video with what looked like 2 x 12" pizza's balanced on the rear panniers 😂 A great watch Dave (and Ian) ice creams, beers, camping, lost phones and pizzas. What's not to like? An excellent adventure and a very enjoyable watch. It looked lush cycling along the canals, very tranquil, friendly peeps and water stops dotted about! Mint! TFS Dave, I bet you trim a lot off your next bikepack outing, easier said than done though lol atb DVS :)

[@BorderRambler]

Thanks Donna , we were just doing a quick Just eat shift delivering pizzas 😂😂 it was a great trip , plenty of good crack , beer , ice cream and pizza. the canals are really great for bike packing as fairly flat with water plentiful along the way . something different but very enjoyable atb Dave

[@DanOpdal]

Thank you for sharing your adventure! Thank you for taking me along. Beautiful scenery. Cheers!

[@BorderRambler]

Thanks for watching Dan atb Dave

[@DanOpdal]

@@BorderRambler You're very welcome, my friend!

[@chargingabout]

great video. as an ex Lancaster boy who has biked, walked and kayaked the canal, i can confirm a few things. 1. after rain there are quite a few sections that turn into a bog fest. north of Lancaster, and a section just north of Preston too. 2. there are some alternatives if you are a bit bored of the canal. you can follow the coast at road from Bolton le Sands into Morecambe, then to Lancaster on a old railway track. or you can drop down on the east side of the lune aqueduct onto the side of the River Lune and an old railway track all the way to Glasson 3. certain sections can be busy with walkers at weekends. a bell is recommended 4. the Ribble link was at the place you pointed out. there is a cycle track, down to the river (and a good track upstream to Preston0

[@BorderRambler]

Thanks Pete, I watched a few videos of others attempting it in winter and yes it looked boggy in bits . So I wasn’t going to attempt if really wet, I am doing it in reverse with a mate but back via Arnside , morecambe , glasson then follow the coast all the way back to Preston. hopefully this summer . Yeah I have a bell but came across a few wearing headphones always tricky passing when they can’t hear , but I always slow right down. thanks for the alternate route tips atb Dave

[@BurtonOutdoors]

Great to see you in the woodland Dave, #StealthModeActivated 👍 Can't beat a bivvy camp matey. I've never thought of putting a bottle cage on my forks before 👍 I might be stealing that idea. NICE ONE. Lee

[@BorderRambler]

Thanks Lee , travel lighting on the bike so bivi is best . forks were the only available space left but works well 🚲⛺️👍 atb Dav

[@yargstrebor4340]

Love the simplicity of that camp Dave. I love to cover plenty of miles with my bike under my own steam,and the canal looked great . Great to see diverse ways of camping 👍🏽.ATB Gary

[@BorderRambler]

Cheers Gary , I’m enjoying getting out on the bike lately and doing a camp . You know me , keep it simple 😂 atb Dave

[@snowymatrix]

Nice one Dave, watching from the SW Coast Path, like the there's someone out there thumbnail! 😂 👍🍺🍺

[@BorderRambler]

Cheers Snowy , how many days into the trail are you ? Just a cheeky dig lol re thumbnail 🚲⛺️👍

[@grahamswildcamping]

Nice video, just the thing to tempt me into a bit of bike packing, now I've got my gravel bike fixed. Really nice area. Loved the shot of curry n chips on the panniers- class!

[@BorderRambler]

Cheers Graham , yes it’s deffo cycling weather of late . curry and chips food of gods lol atb Dave

[@benjaminzac_Man_Wi_A_Tan]

Really enjoying the bikepacking trips Dave. Glad you managed to sort out the punctures en route. That is some speed you were going at. I kept thinking you were heading into the canal at times. ATB.

[@BorderRambler]

Thanks , yeah punctures are the hazard of canals so I always carry plenty of spares . Camera always makes it look faster 😂 atb Dave

[@ChrisJB]

I'm not a cyclist but I like these little journeys you are doing and a stealthy camp. There are a few places I recognised there from birding trips with my pa......Glasson Dock, Farleton Fell, etc. ATB, Chris

[@BorderRambler]

Thanks Chris really enjoying the bike camping trips , yeah I passed through a lot of villages and hamlets . A beautiful part of the world for sure . Atb Dave

[@bluehighfly]

Great adventure there Dave and a nice set up with the bike, it was very short sighted when they closed off the canals, it’s wasn’t just there but all over and not just the canals but also the railways. Atb Darren

[@BorderRambler]

Thanks Darren , I really enjoy cycling along canals in and out of towns in a jiffy and soaking up all the nature too.TFW atb Dave

[@WainwrightWalksWiaLocalLad]

Great video, you went right past my house in Holme 👌 Very enjoyable, cheers Alistair 👍

[@BorderRambler]

Thanks Alistair, Holme is a lovely village .The whole canal trip was an enjoyable few days atb Dave

[@ChrisJB]

I thought of you mate when he went through Holme. 👍

[@WainwrightWalksWiaLocalLad]

@@ChrisJB haha... I'm right next to the canal.. always lots of folks a long the towpath. Not that many bikes tho'to be fair!🤔

[@ronpowell6372]

Nice one Dave…I think this is about the 3rd time I’ve screened this so unfortunately I can only give one 👍of these and not multiples…shame Glad to see you’re a Geggs (sic) lad ursen..I do hope you’ve got their App n yes they are a godsend when out n about Ont trediron local historical name fo bike…lol Lancaster Canal then L2Leeds n home in Thorne are on my to do list for April 25 but defo in May….keep posting Dave..I do hope you get repeat fees like them tely bods but I doubt it….anyways MERRY CHRISTMAS Dave…Bessie’s Ron

[@BorderRambler]

Thanks Ron, can’t beat a Greggs and yes I have the app 👍🏻 happy cycling atb for Xmas Dave 🚲👍🏻

[@charliepress6629]

Thank you for the outstanding video...

[@BorderRambler]

Glad you enjoyed it atb Dave 🚲👍

[@milesfromanywhere.]

Nice one Dave, looks a lovely route. Those curry and chips looked bloody lovely 😂. Nice place to spend the night, that owl man!!!! enjoyed this, cheers, Dave

[@BorderRambler]

Cheers Dave , enjoying the bike camping lately . I was in need of a boost and those curry and chips did the job .tfw atb Dave

[@MiriamKennedy]

Nice to see what cycling a canal route is like Dave - my little wheels on the Brompton (and arse) would have suffered no doubt! You handled those punctures well (I’ll assume there were some expletives off camera 🤩)

[@BorderRambler]

Thanks Miriam , this is the nearest canal to me around 50 miles away , I do like riding along the canals , plenty of wildlife , boats and people . Yes you would have a sore behind if you cycled it on a Brompton 😂😂 and yes there was a few expletives especially the one in the morning lol atb Dave

[@LezleysAdventures]

nice outing, I've walked a few canals in the past, they can be interesting,

[@BorderRambler]

Thanks Lezley , none near me so I do enjoy a canal trip 🚲👍

[@pilgrim3387]

Lovely vid. Take care

[@BorderRambler]

Thank you for watching , much appreciated atb Dave

[@anthonypayne1]

Lovely adventure on this historic canal Dave, gorgeous evening light at your camp spot. Is that normal to have two punctures, or just unlucky! 👍👍👍

[@BorderRambler]

Thanks Anthony , punctures are the look of the draw , none for years then 2 in 2 days 😂 but always prepared 🚲👍 atb Dave

[@catherineweaver9302]

Don't let all those tents go rusty Dave!!!🤣..a change is as good as a rest tho'...stretching some different muscles, eh???

[@BorderRambler]

I know they need an airing , I was up Bowscale with my daughter today ! Too hot at times for hiking . Loving the bike trips tho , another 3 dayer next week 😂😂🚲👍

[@DalesTramper58]

nice to see something a bit different Dave

[@BorderRambler]

Thanks George , I like a bit of bike camping ⛺️👍

[@AlanMETALMAN]

I sometimes miss my mountain bike and have looked at the possibility of buying an EBike but when I see the prices, not an option for an OAP! To be fair this did look a real nice rote, real quite after the M6 an real nice to cycle passed the wild garlic on the path. The path did look a bit narrow so you defo do not want to end in the canal itself, it did not look like a mountain stream. The reason I got rid of my bike was I was always getting flats, which used to drive me nutso, as I used to hate messing about sorting it out. 50 miles was good going mind and a canny spot you found there and you can always relay on two things in life - rain and Greggs, cheers Alan

[@BorderRambler]

Thanks Alan enjoying my bike camping trips lately , yeah e bikes not the cheapest are they ! Deffo wouldn’t want to end up in a murky canal . I’m afraid canals are notorious for punctures so just have to deal with it 😂TFW atb Dave

[@HardyTempestsWildCampsandWalks]

Great video, looking into a bit bikepacking myself. Atb. Hardy

[@BorderRambler]

Thanks Hardy , yeah it’s a good way to get the miles in and still enjoy a camp

[@rialobran]

I found this interesting, not having much in the way of canals down here. Despite having one at the bottom of the garden, but it's only 12ft wide and 3 miles long, lol. I had no idea canals had marinas!

[@BorderRambler]

We have none in Carlisle either , so I need to travel I do find them interesting to cycle along tho . Do you ever walk along yours ?

[@rialobran]

@@BorderRambler Yes it's a nice little ramble on a summer's evening. No boats on it but loads of wildlife and historical features.

[@mickgraham5667]

Dave , your on my patch and you didnt ask permission! Stealth camped on a bridge on the Canal a few weeks ago pity I didnt spot you, only put my film on this morning. Its a bonny stretch of canal loved your film! Thinking of bike packing or canoe camping in future ATB MIck

[@BorderRambler]

Lol which part do you reside on Mick ? It’s lovely cycling the canal and a cheeky camp in the woods ⛺️👍 I will check your vid out 👍

[@mickgraham5667]

@@BorderRambler Hi Dave I’m from Lancaster, once walked the canal from Preston to Kendal pity it’s culverted on the northern reaches there are still canal bridges in the middle of fields on the Kendal approach where it’s out of water strange sight👍

[@markexpose6108]

Hi. LIKE. LIKE. CAMPING.

[@BorderRambler]

Thankyou for watching ⛺️👍

[@4seasonbackpacking]

Looks like a really good canal. When i had a boat i remember thinking that be a great canal. I think it has the longest bit with out locks on a uk canal. Is the one that went all way to Kendal at one point? The thorns are a nightmare on canal paths.

[@BorderRambler]

yes correct Richard 41 miles without locks I think , it was really nice to navigate by bike . Hawthorn bushes = puntures 😂

[@ScoutManSteve]

I need to get out and actually use my gravel bike for a camp, instead of just commuting to work on it. Check out tyre liners for your punctures, I installed some kevlar ones and never get punctures now 👍

[@BorderRambler]

Thanks Steve , I had a liner in the back but not the front .get yourself out on bike camp best time of year for it 🚲⛺️👍

[@Nobby77]

Nope.... but fair play to you dude

[@BorderRambler]

Cheers Nobby , still to watch your adventure 🥾🚲🛶⛺️👍

[@Nobby77]

@@BorderRambler it's a long one

[@BorderRambler]

Packet of biscuits job 👍

[@leplessis8179]

SCHWALBE MARATHON, OR MARTHON P,US, TYRES !!!

[@BorderRambler]

I took the marathons off as too heavy 😂😂

[@leplessis8179]

@@BorderRambler It's a pity that we cannot post pictures on this site, or I would send some to you. I have Marathons on all my bikes, both in the UK and in France, and therefore but one puncture in the last fiteen years - when I ran over glass near Lyon many years ago - and the total miles for all that time is over 120,000. I've just finished another E to E here in the UK, and am off down to visit friends who live by the Med next week. Mainly voie vertes, old railway tracks, quiet lanes and tarmac in the villages. An old Vango Hydra takes care of the accommodation, even after 40 years of use. What's not to like !!

[@OffGridwanderlust]

Should have started it in Kendal. The canals all filled in because a industrial estate is now over it. But you can see the what was one the edge of the canal. Further down it's a cycle path with the bridges still there. Then bit further it's just a field with bridges in the middle of it and it's outline. Random bridges in middle of a field. Then it leads to where you started the video.

[@BorderRambler]

I wasn’t 100% sure if I could start from Kendal via bike , so I will just have to return and do another bike trip this time starting in Kendal 🚲👍