Burning off the munchies along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. (Rural exploration with PICS!) - General

So I've just bought a mountain bike. I bought it for a number of reasons, really: I'm unhappy with my shape (before I got my shit together I ate so much unhealthy food when I got the munchies -cheese and tortillas (processed wheat) was what I ate the most of); I want to lose weight before I start studying again in September; Being an overweight vegan is dumb; I have so much energy to burn, and I love the freedom a bike gives me :keke: So we're in summer now (England), the weather's beautiful and temperature's high! The Leeds-Liverpool Canal (The canal that runs through my village) is the best place to go! Flat surface (Most of the time), huge distance and hardly any people! Unfortunately you need a 'permit' to cycle on the canal. No thanks, that's dumb... Pictures! [b]Pictures were taken on my camera phone with a resolution (I limited it myself) of 2MP. These pictures are interactive. That means I'll go wherever you tell me to go, take a picture of whatever you want, and explore any abandoned building you want.[/b] Side note: I didn't bring my digital camera with me this first time because I just wanted to get to know the trail, next pictures will be in MUCH better quality. [img]http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll277/Cypher09_2008/utf-8bUGhvdG8wMjgxLmpwZw.jpg[/img] - [i]The first beautiful thing I see...[/i] [img]http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll277/Cypher09_2008/utf-8bUGhvdG8wMjgyLmpwZw.jpg[/img] - [i]The first abandoned building I see, should I go in and check it out with my camera? (This is very far along the trail and I haven't seen any people for about 30 minutes of solid riding).[/i] [img]http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll277/Cypher09_2008/utf-8bUGhvdG8wMjgzLmpwZw.jpg[/img] - [i]Baaaaaa...[/i] [img]http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll277/Cypher09_2008/utf-8bUGhvdG8wMjg0LmpwZw.jpg[/img] - [i]Canal barges, for the alternative lifestyle.[/i] [img]http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll277/Cypher09_2008/utf-8bUGhvdG8wMjg1LmpwZw.jpg[/img] - [i]What's in there?[/i] [img]http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll277/Cypher09_2008/utf-8bUGhvdG8wMjg2LmpwZw.jpg[/img] - [i]I have absolutely no idea what's down there...but it looked awesome![/i] [img]http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll277/Cypher09_2008/utf-8bUGhvdG8wMjg5LmpwZw.jpg[/img] - [i]Shot of my surroundings (I reached a bench).[/i] You wouldn't believe the amount of great people you meet along the way. If you make the effort to talk to them, most are really friendly. My conversation instigator was "Excuse me! Do you know where we are? :keke:". Cyclists are all friendly with each other, I rode past one man who was taking a break to feed the ducks. Still, I met one asshole...but he's not worth mentioning. I spent 4hrs30 minutes riding in total. I would've gone further but I had limited water and no food (My stomach was growling...). I went too far, no doubt...but I felt invincible. (Not on the way back I didn't! So much pain, hunger and exhaustion.) Hope you enjoyed the pictues! :keke:

i wish i lived somewhere with scenery like that

Funny that, me and a couple of mates biked through fields until we got lost today, ended up going through a huge quarry and buying a loaf of bread and peanuts from a pub since it was the only place which had food for miles. Doing it lean meant had slightly foggy memory and it took us hours to find a route home. Was a good day.

If I was as lucky as you, I'd bring some bud, get high, and go exploring. You never know what you'll find. I usually go climbing at giant city state park or little grand canyon (in the midwest, USA) Go down that trail dude, take pics, show us

I second that trail it looks pretty sick

Your enthusiasm is an inspiration. I'd enjoy riding with you, only I'm in Canada. Still, we have good trails too... might go exploring this summer

I'll check out the trail next time! :keke: Video or pics?

reminds me of riding around in poland, man i miss europe... You find some really interesting/disturbing graffiti in abandoned places like that too, should get some pics of that

Which city are you closest to? Leeds or Liverpool?

[QUOTE=Theorisable;30408064]Which city are you closest to? Leeds or Liverpool?[/QUOTE] [quote] Driving directions to Leeds, UK Suggested routes 1. 1. 1 hour 7 mins M62 59.0 mi 2. 2. 1 hour 19 mins M61 and M62 73.2 mi 3. 3. 1 hour 23 mins M65 45.1 mi [/quote] [quote] Driving directions to Liverpool, UK Suggested routes 1. 1. 1 hour 3 mins M6 and M58 44.6 mi 2. 2. 1 hour 6 mins M6 and M62 55.1 mi 3. 3. 1 hour 9 mins M6 46.6 mi [/quote] Liverpool, but not by much. :v:

I like the first one the most, you should take more like that. The fourth too It looks so quaint and peaceful.

[QUOTE=Ultra Violence;30408168]I like the first one the most, you should take more like that. The fourth too It looks so quaint and peaceful.[/QUOTE] There were loads more like the 4th one! When I got to one point, there was a whole row of them, all different colours. I'll be sure to get pics next time.

What direction did you go? Towards Liverpool or towards Leeds? :v:

I have no idea! I'll check now :v: [editline]12th June 2011[/editline] Leeds. [editline]12th June 2011[/editline] The (local) path/trail going to Liverpool isn't very nice... :v:

I cycle so much for transport (fuck busses), that I rarely go out solely for leisure on my bike, I will after my exams finish, though, just gonna cycle out miles into the country, lie on the edge of a feild or something, get totally baked then cycle back (stoned cycling feels good).

I request a video of the cows on your next run!

dude my aunt & uncle live(ed) down 'Knott Lane' or something. I rode down the very same canal on a bike a few years back with no permit. badass

[QUOTE=TheMiracle;30409228]I request a video of the cows on your next run![/QUOTE] I'll be sure to get one :v:

Cool pictures, cycling while stoned is pretty nice especially down hill/ on easy routes. I could do this on the thames, but within an hour or so i'd be in outer london and an hour more i'd probably be stabbed and robbed of everything i have. The scenery down the thames once you leave London is awesome though!

This sounds like so much fun. I just convinced my buddy and now we're going to go on a bike ride and explore, find a nice spot and just blaze.

god it's probably so easy to get mugged there

[quote]- Baaaaaa...[/quote] Moooooo...?

[QUOTE=FoodStuffs;30440748]god it's probably so easy to get mugged there[/QUOTE] Nope. I've ridden past 'gangs' and groups of teenagers plenty of times without them even looking at me twice (and I have fucking long hair). Nobody bothers cyclists much in the UK, it's just a dick move. [editline]14th June 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=geoface;30440769]Moooooo...?[/QUOTE] Not these ones.

[QUOTE=Cypher_09;30445686]Nobody bothers cyclists much in the UK, it's just a dick move.[/QUOTE] Also, I'd imagine it's pretty hard to mug someone capable of going much faster than you if you start to chase them.

[QUOTE=Tomaster;30445830]Also, I'd imagine it's pretty hard to mug someone capable of going much faster than you if you start to chase them.[/QUOTE] Stick in their spokes.

[QUOTE=Tomaster;30445830]Also, I'd imagine it's pretty hard to mug someone capable of going much faster than you if you start to chase them.[/QUOTE] They were under a bridge I had to ride under too and I had to slow down a damn lot, but they moved out of my way. :v: It's easy to just push someone next to you off a bike, and a scary thought. :ohdear: [editline]14th June 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Stormcharger;30445910]Stick in their spokes.[/QUOTE] Fuck that :v:

[QUOTE=Cypher_09;30445965]They were under a bridge I had to ride under too and I had to slow down a damn lot, but they moved out of my way. :v: It's easy to just push someone next to you off a bike, and a scary thought. :ohdear: [editline]14th June 2011[/editline] Fuck that :v:[/QUOTE] I saw that happen to someone flipping me off when i was looking at them from a bus, It was beatiful :v:

So what happen being pushed or a stick to the spoke? :v: I'm going riding in about an hour or so :ohdear:

Stick to the spoke requires planning, I think. No one just has sticks ready, in case a muggable biker goes by.

It was a stick to the spoke. He flew over the handlebars and apparently broke his arm. Good luck for your riding! :v: