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Hi folks,

New kid on the block looking for a bit of advice.

I planning on cycling the canal from Liverpool early Sept and was planning on doing it over 3 nights 4 days - with overnight stops close to the canal somewhere in the vicinity of:

night 1 - Wigan, night 2 - blackburn, night 3 - Skipton.

Does anyone know of good locations - not bothered about grand facilities as will be self contained. Am happy to use a farmers field if need be but am a little concerned about being in built up areas. All looks nice from canal photo's but they can be deceiving. Outskirts of Leeds also looks nice but you wouldn't catch me overnighting nearby (no criticism of Leeds, I work there and know that the tow path suffers from crime of an evening!).

http://www.waterscape.com/Leeds_&_Liverpool_Canal/cycling/wid43;mine333125;maxe429897;minn391851;maxn454642 

Hiya Jez and welcome to the jungle

click above for some info .

Hello Jez

That’s a trip I have been considering for quite a while.  I think you will be able to find a large enough area for a small tent every few miles along the more rural bits either side of Skipton.  Unlikely to be disturbed after dark outside of towns.

If you prefer a site,   Eshton Road Caravan Park at Gargrave (Skipton 3mls) is actually alongside the canal.

btw... As I understand it, cycling is not "officially" permitted along this stretch of the canal.  Everyone does is though and I have seen no conflicts.

Can't help with the Wigan or Blackburn bits, sorry.

Hope you enjoy it.  Would be interested to hear about it and see some pics on your return.

btw... you won't exactly need a mountain bike then :-)

---

Steven

Hi

We live in Wigan, In fact the Leeds liverpool Canal is almost in our back garden (about 10 yards from our kitchen window)  We are just after the wigan flight near toplock  post code is WN2 1JD if you want to check it in multimap etc.

Anyway, you are more than welcome to pitch your tent in out back garden, if we are not camping in the camper van you can even stay in there!!

Free of charge of course for a fellow UKCS member, however you will be expected to buy me a drink at the local pub (100 yards away on the canal)

Give me a shout if you want to kip over pete at everythingunderground.com

and good luck on your journey!!

Mucho grateful for the replies - do I refer to you by handle or name?? (New to site and don't know protocol). Anyway, cheers Steven, I know the Skipton area pretty well and hadn't thought of Gargrave - good idea, nice and quiet.

PeeWee - what can I say - your offer is beyond generosity!!

If I deceide to stop over in Wigan I'll definately take you up on the offer - especially the bit about the pub!

Planning on starting 11 Sept (weather and chaueffer permitting).....and I have to back in K'boro by the 15th or the wife will kill me (her birthday or something).

Will definitely post report on completion (but don't do digital photos so lets hope my descriptive prowess improves.