Boddy on the Towpath
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boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
Boddy on the Towpath
@boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
140 followers 73 following 190 posts
Cycling the canals of Britain over 5 years, and writing a book on how to complete the rides.
Also Barrow AFC and the occasional beer.
http://www.boddyonthetowpath.co.uk
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boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
I'm in the process of writing up for my website all 5 rides (127 miles) which comprise the full length of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. This is what I do over the winter, when I can't get out riding (although the weather's been so mild I could have done a couple more rides) #cycling #UKCanals #canals
Pencil style drawing of a brick built warehouse on the banks of a canal. The building has 3 roofs, and tall arched windows.
November 7, 2025 at 12:03 PM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
I've reached the end of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, all 127 miles of it! The Stanley Flight drops the canal down under the Dock Road in Liverpool towards the Mersey. New canal sections have been built to take boats to Albert Dock, but there is no towpath so that's me done #canals #UKCanals #cycling
Pencil stye drawing of an arched brick railway bridge, under which passes a canal, dropping down a number of locks. Warehouses and other buildings are in the background.
November 2, 2025 at 9:56 AM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
The entrance to the Rufford Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool #canal. I cycled a few miles up the arm, to the marina, having believed there was no towpath further up towards the River Ribble, but it looks as if it is now navigable by bike, so I will have to return (ran out of time) #UKCanals #cycling
Pencil style drawing of a stone bridge over a canal junction. There is a ht to the right, and a wall coping to the left. A small figure walks over the bridge.
October 16, 2025 at 8:22 AM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
In case you didn't believe me, I DO have a bike, and I HAVE now cycled over 1,500 miles along the British #canal network, with (I estimate) another 500 miles still to do to complete the set. I reckon 2 more years, and then I'll try to get the book of rides done #UKCanals #cycling
Pencil style drawing of my cycle, complete with pannier and water bottle, leaned against a fence next to an aqueduct, with trees in the background.
October 12, 2025 at 12:37 PM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
The Kings Lock pub and junction in Middlewich. Turning right takes you onto what is termed the shortest #canal in England, the Wardle. However I'm not buying it, it's just the end of the Middlewich branch of the Shropshire Union. The shortest proper canal is of course the Ulverston Canal. #cycling
Pencil style drawing of a canal to the left, and a footbridge rising to the right over a canal junction. In the background is a white building (The Kings Lock pub), and a few narrowboats moored up.
October 11, 2025 at 11:04 AM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
I'm finishing off the Leeds & Liverpool #canal this week. Last leg into Liverpool today. A lovely old windmill (now an art gallery) right by the towpath at Parbold #cycling #UKCanals
October 9, 2025 at 6:56 AM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
Sometimes it's not about the canal: I was riding back to my campsite having completed the Trent & Mersey up to Runcorn, when I passed this church at Little Leigh, close to Anderton in Cheshire #cycling #UKCycling #canals
PS my website www.boddyonthetowpath.co.uk now has SSL!!
Pencil style drawing of a pair of wooden church gates, one open, one closed. They are protected by a thick wooden beamed porch. A paved walkway leads up to a church door in the mid distance. There are gravestones either side of the path.
September 29, 2025 at 6:34 PM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
Vale Royal locks on the River Weaver between Winsford and Northwich features a swingbridge over each of the double locks, which got me completely over-excited #cycling #UKCanals #canals
A rotating bridge with metal handrails lies over a turntable, which rotates over a lock to the left. In the background are trees, and a couple of slightly wayward lampposts.
September 16, 2025 at 1:31 PM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
A super circular 24 mile ride from Northwich up the River Weaver to the Anderton Lift, along the Trent & Mersey to Middlewich, west along the SU Middlewich Branch to Winsford, and back up the Weaver. This is one of two impressive swing bridges in Northwich #cycling #canals #UKCanals
Pencil style drawing of a large metal bridge with a arched steel girder across a river. There is a tall gatehouse to the right, trees in the foreground and background. The bridge is set on a turntable to allow boats to pass.
September 14, 2025 at 8:27 AM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
The derelict locks at Tewitfield (aka Northern Reaches Locks) run alongside the M6 north of Carnforth, and can be seen from the motorway. Boat passage further north is blocked by the M6, although an intrepid cyclist can still navigate to Kendal #cycling #UKCanals #canals
Pencil style drawing of an empty canal lock with the near gate missing. Some of the metalwork remains. There is a stone bridge at the far end of the lock, and a metal fence to the right. The whole scene is surrounded by trees, long grass and undergrowth.
September 4, 2025 at 7:21 PM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
The Leeds and Liverpool Canal passes through the industrial Lancashire heartland, including this beautiful example of a mill in Blackburn, now a business centre #cycling #UKCanals #canals
Pencil style drawing of am imposing mill building next to a canal which curves away to the left. There are two tall towers to the mill. There is a high stone wall curving away to the right.
August 30, 2025 at 6:22 PM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
The old wharf on the Leeds & Liverpool at Burnley, on my way to Chorley the other week #cycling #UKCanals #canals
Pencil style drawing of the underside of a metal and wooden wharf jutting out over a canal. Sturdy beams and girders all round, and a stone flagged towpath passes underneath. Around the bend in the canal can just be seen a white building.
August 28, 2025 at 2:22 PM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
Day 2 in Cheshire: up the Trent & Mersey to Preston Brook, then along the Bridgewater to Runcorn, where the canal ends abruptly at Waterloo Bridge.
Drawings to follow ... #cycling #UKCanals #canals
Photo of a white brick canal tunnel entrance. A towpath on the left leads up to two white houses over the tunnel.
August 26, 2025 at 12:33 PM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
A very exciting morning riding from Northwich to the Anderton Lift, then round the T&M to Middlewich, SU Middlewich Branch to Winsford, and back up the River Weaver. On the way I came across a SWING BRIDGE over a LOCK!! You just can't get more exciting than that #canals #cycling #UKCanals
Photo of a cast iron swing bridge over a deep canal lock
August 25, 2025 at 12:09 PM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
I've now completed more than half of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, and here's a signpost to prove it #cycling #canals #UKCanals
Pencil style drawing of a stone milepost, with a brick wall behind. On one side the sign says L'pool 63 miles, and on the other, Leeds 64 1/4 miles
August 18, 2025 at 3:39 PM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
A couple of days up north in my home county(s), starting with a ride from Oxenholme to Lancaster down the Lancaster Canal. Tewitfield locks are now sadly no longer in use, due to the M6 being piled over the canal just beyond the top lock - drawings to follow... #canals #cycling #UKCanals
Photo of a canal lock, with the top gate missing. There is a bridge at the lower end,vans a railing to the right. It is all a bit overgrown and neglected
August 14, 2025 at 6:30 PM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
Simple drawing of a bridge near Gargrave, on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. Although the towpath looks decent at this point, it soon deteriorates and is lumpy bumpy over the bleak tops to Balnoldswick, after which the descent into Burnley is much easier #canals #UKCanals #cycling
Pencil style drawing of a towpath and canal leading under a stone bridge, flanked by trees
August 3, 2025 at 9:34 AM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
One of my more complex drawings: The Navigation Inn and Castle Lock on the short Beeston Canal heading through Nottingham. A busy stretch of waterway, followed by a nice ride back to my start point at Beeston Lock along the River Trent #canals #cycling #UKCanals
Pencil style drawing of a pub to the left, a canal lock in the foreground, and an ornate iron bridge crossing behind the lock. A modern office block, and a old waterways warehouse are in the background.
July 17, 2025 at 6:18 PM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
A lovely ride from Skipton to Leeds along the Leeds & Liverpool, with excellent towpaths all the way. Just past Salts Mill (well worth a visit) is Junction Bridge, in Shipley #cycling #canals #UKCanals
A stone bridge straddles a canal. To the left is the all of a factory, and to the right a boat and a brick wall. behind the bridge are some low rise blocks of flats.
July 12, 2025 at 1:57 PM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
Getting back to my cycling regime now the wedding's done and dusted (but it was good fun, and all very moving). Ticked off the Beeston Canal this week, and found this lovely cast iron post by Castle Lock in Nottingham. Next stop, more of the Leeds & Liverpool #cycling #canals #UKCanals
Pencil style drawing of a cast iron sign, half tubular with a rounded top, next to a wall. The visible lettering reads 1869 SAM L PARR WOODWARD WERSEER GODFREY ST OVERSEE. I suspect it was the details of the lock or bridge builder
July 6, 2025 at 10:31 AM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
Two days riding the Leeds & Liverpool Canal has been a joy. 30 miles from Skipton to Leeds on Day 1, and 28 from Skipton to Burnley, over the top, on Day 2. As a bonus, an evening out in Skipton, where every other building seems to be a micro pub #canals #cycling #UKCanals
Photo of a cycle with a pannier leaning against va stone wall. A canal curves in from the left and away again. Trees, low hills and blue skies in the background.
June 28, 2025 at 6:56 AM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
A lovely ride from last year, from Shirley to Stratford, included the Edstone Aqueduct (aka Bearley Aqueduct), which is almost 200 years old, and which was restored in the 1960's #canals #UKCanals #cycling
Pencil style drawing of an aqueduct carrying a canal. A brick wall to the left fank a few steps which lead to a footpath. To its right, a cast iron "trough" carrying the canal across the valley.
June 14, 2025 at 2:58 PM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
A difficult ride along the Oxford Canal from Napton to Banbury included a section known as "Fenny Compton Tunnel". The tunnel was removed in the 1860s due to repeated collapse, and a cutting replaced it #canals #UKCanals #cycling
Pencil style drawing of an iron canal bridge. Underneath is the canal. Behind the iron bridge is a newer, steel bridge carrying a road. There is a rough slop on the right, leading up to the bridge
June 4, 2025 at 5:37 PM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
I finally completed the Oxford Canal yesterday and today, #cycling from Napton Junction to Banbury. Very tough going, especially the first leg to Fenny Compton,which included 2 punctures due to all the hawthorn. A quick pint at Napton Cidery to finish cheered me up #UKCanals #canals
A wrought iron bridge over a canal. In the background is a newer steel road bridge.
May 29, 2025 at 7:54 PM
boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social
Shipton Stoplock on the Oxford Canal is on the approach to Kidlington (if heading south). At this point the River Cherwell heads off over a weir into a wide curve, rejoining the canal briefly again at the wonderfully named Thrupp. #canals #UKCanals #cycling
Pencil style drawing of a canal lock, with a single gate top and bottom, and a footbridge over the far lock gate. The lock widens out to the right into a D shape. The is a paved area in the foreground and trees in the background.
May 24, 2025 at 6:37 PM