Andrew Thorpe
Andy and Johnny's epic bike ride
Fundraising for Cancer Research UK
Story
The Mission: Cycle from Liverpool to Leeds via the canal in memory of our friend and colleague Prof Phil Taylor.
The Result: 140 miles in 2 days. 3 knackered knees, 2 John Wayne impressions and a couple of big smiles.
After a quick coffee, bacon butty and a marriage proposal from the Costa barista we set off from Albert Dock at a brisk pace. 15 miles in we meet our first of two obstacles. Two punctures to Andy’s back tyre and then a two mile detour due to a fisherman being shot on the canal. (The police had sectioned off the towpath) but the sun was shining and spirits were high. We headed north towards Southport and then east to Wigan where we had lunch, this was tactical as we knew that the 21 locks ahead meant an uphill climb. It was north of Chorley we met our next challenge. The canal just stopped. We were lost and completely bemused. Apparently a section of the canal was started but never completed as the route was changed. After a minor detour though we were back on track.
Our first day goal was to get halfway along the canal to Church (Dave Hesmondalgh neck of the woods) its exactly 63 miles to Leeds and Liverpool. After a few beers and a meal we pitched the tent in a field by the canal in the dark. At 11pm a voice and torchlight woke us. It was a farmer who thought we were ‘sheep rustlers’. At midnight two Shire horses freaked us by nibbling at the tent. (I say Shire horses but they were in fact small ponies, but from a low angle they appeared bigger). We moved the tent.
The next morning brought rain and the section to Skipton was a tough slog especially after two hours sleep. We did have breakfast in Burnley though (Costa again but no proposal this time).
We pushed onto Bingley where we met up with Sue (Phil’s wife) for tea. The final leg saw us rolling through Saltaire and into Leeds for a well earned pint to soothe the 3 knackered knees, toast Phil and smile at a wonderful adventure that was for a good cause.
Liverpool to Leeds cycle ride- in memory of Phil Taylor.
I plan to ride from Liverpool to Leeds, with my mate Johnny Edmonds, using the canal towpath which connects the two great cities. We are doing this to celebrate the life of Professor Phil Taylor, our friend and colleague who passed away last year. Phil was a proud Scouser and this towpath journey in someways represents his lifetime's journey to Leeds, the canal representing his lasting connection with Liverpool, whilst living and working in Yorkshire.
The journey is 128 miles and requires us to cross over the Pennines. We plan to take 2-3 days and hopefully camp along the way.
Please give as much as you can afford. The proceeds are going to Cancer Research UK- hopefully a cure will be found soon to this most horrible of diseases.