Into the City

Comment by Graham Lennard on February 19, 2012 at 0:43

I'll forward that to BW -  for the puddle evidence!

Comment by Robert on February 19, 2012 at 10:44

No don't, I'll get into trouble for breaking the national speed limit on the towpath :)   Most of the puddles are shallow and are no great problem if one has mudguards.   That said there are a couple of mini lakes up by The Dingle (in the opposite direction) that are attracting sea monsters.

Comment by Rich22222 on February 19, 2012 at 11:21

You must spend 66% of your life cleaning mud off your face

Comment by Robert on February 19, 2012 at 12:03

I did have a drastic mudguard failure last year; both failed within a couple of weeks of each other and had to be removed.   I got absolutely filthy until I got around to fitting the replacements.   I have full length guards so ordinarily it's just my shoes and rear mech that get splattered.

Comment by Graham Lennard on February 20, 2012 at 23:07

I did send it to BW -  they were very pleased to receive it  -  in their words, they are " actively on the look out for opportunities to fund improvements to this important route...".

Comment by Robert on February 21, 2012 at 9:00

I'm pleased that they find it useful, especially as it is my favourite cycle route in Brum.   But if BW are reading this my own personal grumble is the part of the Stratford-upon-Avon canal south of Solihull Lodge, which provides canal access for several villages (including the South side of Shirley) and TRW, which I wouldn't even attempt in the winter.

Comment by allthegearnoidea on February 23, 2012 at 7:44

You're brave doing that kind of speed along there at the moment, those big slidy mud puddles are lethal if you catch them wrong and I notice you're close on the wooden edging strip a lot of the time.

BW were fairly responsive over the summer when I emailed them about the various works ongoing on the towpath on that route.

I wonder if more cyclists now use the canals than people on boats? Would be a useful question to answer in getting better facilities. :)

rob

Comment by Robert on February 23, 2012 at 8:49

I have to admit planning a route between edging, puddles, and mobile obstructions does require a little mental effort.   I can't say it taxes me, but I have encountered cyclists coming the other way who have swerved into my path trying to avoid getting their tyres wet.

In the video the best cyclist turned out to be the young girl up by the middle ring road.   Whilst her parents blocked my progress, as soon as she realised I was just behind her she calmly and safely moved to the left a bit to let me pass.   I nearly stopped to congratulate her on her skillful, courteous cycling.

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