Garggrave to Blackburn 2025

We were all up for breakfast nice and early, Breakfast was the usual all you can eat buffet in the pub attached to the Premier Inn.

After breakfast we saddle up and layer up with our clothes as it is a cold wet start.
The canal is only 100 yards away through a gate so we are soon back on the canal side and ready for day two. The canal water level was very low, definitely too low for any boats to be sailing in it in this area.

It was not long into the ride and the track deteriorated, from a nice canal path to a narrow muddy track worn through the grass
As we were a fair way from any civilisation we were rewarded with some lovely open country side views.

Lovely open views	Trevor walks the slippery part
The way ahead looks inviting	Its tricky under the bridges on the narrow muddy path
Trevor smiling, back on a firm surface	The track deteriorates into a muddy narrow rut
Dave loving the open countryside despite the muddy track	We pass a few boats while still taking care on the track
Barriers and mud to contend with now	Trevor walks a section after his second spill
Still lots to see we found this unusual bridge	Its a very different construction from usual bridges
Peter wondering how deep the canal is in case anyone falls in

Unfortunately as the track was slippery and uneven we had to watch were we were going. Trevor had a couple of spills,
no harm done but after falling into a fence and then a stone wall he lost a bit of confidence,
so we rang Ian to arrange to meet us at the next town so he could ride the rest of the day with Ian in the van.

We still had time to stop and take photos of some of the locks. We found them very interesting and great fun for some posed shots




We love a lock and decide to recreate the American girder works lunch break picture

The next town was Barnoldswick where Mr Reliable our support driver Ian was waiting right beside the canal.

Although the canal path had improved, Trevor was glad he could stop cycling, placing his bike in the back of the van.
When Connor saw Peters electric bike the temptation was too great as he had been finding his bike very uncomfortable on the rough tracks
so he took the electric bike for the remainder of the day.

After the short break and changes we carried on, soon leaving Barnoldswick behind on a much better canal path surface.
Just as we were settling in to the better surfaced canal path their was a sign "path closed follow diversion"
We had just left a flat road to cycle up an incline beside a canal lock and the Detour after leaving road onto path took us back down onto the road.

Then the diversion took us off the flat road and we took a left turn and as we rounded the junction we saw the steep climb. So much for a flat easy route beside the canal.
The diversion went up the steep climb on narrow road. Near the top a Land rover came into view. They very kindly decided to reverse to a wider section for us to cycle past.

Eventually the road levelled out and we drop back onto the canal path again, however the surface was not great.
We found the surface usually Improved near towns but deteriorated again as we left the towns behind.

Top of he climb	Its nice when it levels out again
Back onto the canal path, the gate doesn't seem to do anything with a big gap at the side	The way ahead, wide scenic and still muddy.

Soon we arrived in the small town of Foulridge, where the canal goes through a tunnel. There is no pathway only the canal, the boats had to be legged through the tunnel, we have to cycle round.

The track continues so Peter and I have to check it out and see if it is a dead end

Yes there is no way through on a cycle

We follow my pre planned route on some side roads until it drops back to the canal side

We cycle past some lovely properties by canal side with gardens leading down to the waters edge or with raised patios and big panoramic windows.
Through the built up areas we had a bit of shelter from the weather but out of towns in the open countryside the wind was hard in our faces with no shelter
but we were rewarded with some nice views over valley.

Storm clouds on the horizon

The views are very rewarding despite the weather

Eventually we cycle into the town of Nelson where we saw our first mosque, it had brightly coloured domes rising above the surrounding big stone buildings.
The legacy of all of the industries that had built up by the canal side.
Soon after leaving Nelson we come into another large town, Burnley where we had arranged to meet Ian and now Trevor for a coffee stop at Tescos.
The maps showed it to be located right beside the canal side and with a large car park making it easy for Ian to find and get parked.
except when we got there we found that the canal was level with the roof of the shop which was built above its car park.

Our only option was a long way down a flight of steps to the car park and the entrance to the store where fortunately there was some rails to lock our cycles to.
Once in the store we found the Cafe was on Third floor so back up again fortunately there were escalators up to cafe,
which had a very complicated ordering process with screens and use of table numbers.
The service was also fairly slow, which was annoying as we were keen to be back on our way.

After we are all fed and watered, we head back down to the bikes and then have to carry them back up to the canal side.
Once back at the canal its onwards towards Blackburn and tonight's digs.

There is a tricky bit where we leave the canal and pass under a motorway roundabout, but it is well signed and soon we are back beside the canal.
Again the canal path varies between decent with a wide firm surface and narrow muddy ruts and puddles.

Then we come to the halfway point of the Leeds Liverpool canal which is nicely signed.
We stop for the photo opportunity I got nettled crouching down for the picture.

Naturally as we are close to the large towns we are also close to the motorway,
however there are bridges so we cycle merrily over them and then onwards on the same type of terrain varying between good and muddy surfaces

The easy way over the motorways	Blackburn is signed
Nice easy cycling	All grouped together over the motorway aqueduct

We come to a point where there is a turning that leaves the canal to take a tarmac lane for approximately half a mile.
this then rejoins the canal avoiding a big loop and a few miles on a narrow muddy track

There is a sign at the end of the tarmac land pointing the way ahead Blackburn five miles.
The ride then is pretty uneventful until we reach the outskirts of Blackburn, where there is an odd bod bloke walking along the canal side,
we all cycle past him but Colin N who is bring up the rear got a shock when the odd bod flashed at him.
what a strange welcome to Blackburn.

Heading towards Blackburn city centre we have to negotiate a short section on busy roads but soon we turn into Cathedral square which is traffic free and the location of the overnight stay.
Blackburn Premier inn is located on the square but is not well signed and we find ourselves heading round the back of the hotel until we eventually find the front and the entrance

We were undecided whether to dine in the hotel or go out, but the decision was made for us when we were informed that the restaurant was fully booked for the evening.

Luckily a few hundred yards away there was a Wetherspoons so we all decided to meet up there for food, drink and the usual good evening get together.
It was a good night with the usual good crack. We all had a good laugh when Connor explained his friends had asked him if he was cycling with "Evil Colin"
he said I was known as Evil Colin because I bear a resemblance to Vladimir Putin.

On the way back to the hotel, I broke away from the rest of the group and walked my researched route to find the canal.
Just to satisfy myself it was the best route. Happy with my finding I walked back to hotel from the canal, I was now happy with day three plans.