Liverpool has an excellent shared cycle path running from the North to the South of the city. You have no risk from motorised traffic and no junctions to slow you down.
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27 Comments
Regarding the videos on the topic of road placement, I'd be very interested in seeing the comparisons. I'm not sure if you've seen my comments before, so in case you don't know, I ride a recumbent tadpole trike, which puts me quite low down to the ground. It was very unnerving at first, but I've grown used to it, and seeing as it's my main mode of transport besides my car (I have physical issues, so even walking is very hard), seeing road traffic at adult standing height has begun to get weird, lol! I must admit, the first time I looked to my right and saw an HGV wheel hub just about in-line with my face, it induced quite the laxative effect, lol!
Anyway, I use my road position extremely carefully, and plan ahead an awful lot more than I otherwise would, given my low position. I almost always find other road users are extremely accommodating, even going so far as to seem to treat me as equine, passing very wide, very slowly, and leaving loads of room before pulling across again, which is wonderful, but quite ironic, as I don't need that as much as those on uprights! I mean, I'm not just going to fall off, so I could be close-passed without too much risk, really.
Anyway, my offer stands, Ash, if you'd like to give it a ride. I can assure you, it'll give you an entirely new perspective, quite literally!
I've recently upgraded it to have a full fairing, so it keeps the chill and most of the weather off of me. I've also upgraded it to automatic transmission, so I can keep a nigh-on constant cadence throughout the range, and I'm in the process of hand-making some extra light mounts for the extra 'ditch' lights I have for it, which will be mounted over the front fenders, and angled in such a way that they illuminate the route in the direction of steer, something the up-front headlight won't do, as it's mounted to the fixed boom, leaving me unable to see in extreme darkness, when I'm negotiating bends.
Anyway, it's a constant project, and one I've already blown far more money than I'd like to admit on, lol!
All my best, Ash.
The Liverpool Loop Line (National Cycle Route 62) used to be the North Liverpool Extension railway line. The railway line closed to passengers and freight in different stages at different times beginning in 1960. The last part of the line open to freight closed in 1979 when all of the track was finally lifted.
The line was part of the original 1970s Merseyrail network plan and was meant to be linked to the present-day Merseyrail Northern Line at both Aintree and Hunts Cross. Such that a double track loop was meant to run from Hunts Cross through the city centre to Aintree and then back east of the city to Hunts Cross in both directions.
Due to cost-cutting, the eastern section of the loop was postponed and then later cancelled, and so only the western section of the proposed loop, today's Merseyrail Northern Line from Hunts Cross to Aintree, was created, with the unrealised proposed eastern section of the loop eventually becoming the cycle route it is today.
There were plans for the eastern section of the loop to have 2 interchange stations with the City Line network to the north and south to allow commuters on the City Line to access Liverpool's suburbs by train without having to go into Lime Street Station in the city centre. The plan for the southern Interchange station was later partially enacted and opened as Liverpool South Parkway railway station in 2006.
The cycle route has special preservation status, ensuring it is kept in a condition whereby it can still be restored as a double-track railway line if desired. There have been sporadic calls over the years for that to happen and for the route to be made part of the Merseyrail Northern Line as the original 1970s plans intended.
Personally, I would like for that to happen because although it is a very nice cycle route, it would be far more widely beneficial as a passenger railway line providing people in the east of Liverpool with much quicker, easier and more convenient access to the Merseyrail network and City Line network. However, I'm not holding my breath.
In the old-fashioned parlance you'd be a knight of the road (whether on 2 wheels or 4); for the younger generation a quality road user. Either way, if only more people would follow the example you set: consideration for others being the key to it all. Of course, that's simply the measure of the man you are in general and not just as a road user. May your journeys be pothole-and-rain- free sir. And Happy New Year from south Liverpool.
Nice ride and good examples of when to get in with it and when to take it easy, something some others out there can (maybe) learn from. It would be good to see the difference in attitude from a minority of drivers by going slower and changing the position on the bike. Again, that could be a useful lesson for all and perhaps one for the main channel as well to change the attitude of drivers
We don’t have much in terms of infrastructure around here. Many cycle lanes that have been unmaintained for years or a new, multi millon pound lane that goes from the station to somewhere close to town
Away from here there are some nice trails that I would cycle along if I could. The shared paths are mostly shared but as with all users, there are some pedestrians that don’t wish to share and some cyclists that don’t know how to share. But that is the person not the group
I hope Sylvia won't be offended being called a muppet and a plantpot. At least she now knows, as we all do, how dedicated and serious you are in bike riding, for exercise and pleasure, and it's not just for our benefit.
I ride on the Loopline a lot…and if you aren't concentrating, those tree root bumbs are ruthless 😂🚴
Looks like a nice place to ride. Regarding bells, I encountered someone in front on a canal towpath who was wearing earbuds and he couldn't hear me ringing the bell. I tried 5 times before he heard me. I did actually do a video of it and sent you an email link but I suppose you're super busy these days with two channels on the go!
If the bike didnt come with a bell, id recommend the spurcycle original. That thing gets pretty loud and has a nice after ring to it, always gets peoples attention.
While you are well behaved and considerate unfortunately I see far too many cyclists who should learn from you. As a daily walker on a shared path (canal towpath) I have far too many nasty encounters with inconsiderate cyclists:
* Passing me at considerate speed literally inches away from my elbows is a regular occurrence. Now a collision is unlikely to kill me, but it could still easily mean a nasty injury which might make me unable to work for a long time. Cyclists keep banging on about passing cars having to keep 1.5m distance, shouldn't cyclists allow something similar (maybe not 1.5m, but at least 1m?) to walkers?
* When I take "primary position" (yes, walkers can do that just as well on a narrow path) I'm fairly regularly abused by cyclists, "get out of my way" and "what's your problem?" is on the milder side. What would your reaction be if a car was blaring their horn on a narrow country lane when you take up primary position? (And I do move to the side when the path widens and I deem it safe enough for the cyclist to pass me. Which is my decision, same as it is for the cyclist on a narrow country lane)
Maybe something for the cyclists not as considerate as Ashley to think about?
We have some lovely routes like this in Stoke on Trent. Several canals and a few off-road shared paths. They make wonderful safe commuting routes and are sadly under-used. It's pointless smashing out PBs on Strava segments on these routes as even when riding at a sedate 17-18kmh it's still quicker to get places than by car! Bonus is that all interactions are very human – being outside of a vehicle means having to deal with people as people, not inconveniences, and they can talk to you. I particularly like slowing for dogs because you get to say hi to them. The only downside is the lack of infrastructure joining up these wonderful routes.
Awesome commentary. awesome insight too and lesson. Total respect. Learn a lot from you always.
However! you need a bike fit.. handlebars are too wide. Facing you, right knee tracks out slightly. It would be a great video to do. Comfort on the bike, I'm getting older so it matters more.
I'd appreciate more cycling video's, be it teaching points or better experience riding etc. Maybe a though that others would be inspired by you:)
Hello Ashley. I know you often talk about the importance of rear observation on a bike. I feel like I want to constantly be checking over my shoulder to make sure I’m not getting run down from behind. How do you decide when to look and how often? I honestly think I sometimes pay too much attention to vehicles behind.
You can link up the Cheshire Lines/Leeds-Liverpool canal towpath with the Loop line and ride to Halewood – and then beyond…..
I look forward to seeing the video where you show the difference between drivers where you ride secondary/primary.
A tip with he bell is to carry one in your pocket. I usually have one in my jersey pocket so if i travel on a bridleway or shared path i can whip it out anytime. It helps me keep the cockpit uncluttered which i like.
"Spreading that good message as a cyclist"….
Words that mean nothing when sharing paths with pedestrians and you don't have, or use a bell.
The first pedestrian with their back to you, you passed with no notification at all, and they had a dog.
No point in flippantly saying naughty me, no bell,….. it gives the rest of us a bad name.
I get thanked all the time for using my bell, it's incredibly important, and way to important to forget to put it back on,
Generally once abandoned railway lines have been made into a bypass, a track or both with pedestrians and cyclists on a segregated track. Cycling infrastructure being added as it became better used or minority groups abusing the tracks, pedestrians etc.
I live on an old colliery and have the shared pathways connecting us to an industrial estate and the next town along. In addition to the colliery there’s the East Lancs. There is also Sankey Valley canal running through to Warrington which I’ve always thought of doing but never got round to actually doing it.
It looks like you’ve become more fitter since the last video of you cycling.
Ash, do they make those pants 👖 for men….
😆 Only joking!
The only thing about saying to people out loud your passing is you will say it in a loud tone because you have the wind rushing past your ears,
And a walker will get spooked a little. It happens all the time to me when walking on the shared path.
I prefer a bell ring x3
Once you have a road bike it's addictive I find. A good ride would be asking the East Lancs to Crank. Mostly a cycle track but the section by Electric Avenue heading to Kirkby is busy and being in primary position at those big junctions is crucial. I ride that route a lot for training on the hills around Crank and Parbold.
You do a lot more to encourage cycling than Mr. J. Vine, but get a bell and avoid roundabouts.
It was mentioned that this is NCN route 62. I rode the Trans Pennine Trail (Southport to Hornsea) in 2019. The loop around Liverpool (north to south) was a disused railway line. From memory most of it was unsurfaced. If this is the same track it is now a major improvement.
I enjoy your videos Ashley, some of your comments and terminology remind me of my uncle (long since passed) who was a professional driver all his adult life: Army, trolley buses, driving instructor and finally examiner.
What bike are you riding fella
Loving the cycling videos , as for a video regarding secondary and primary position I'd like it aimed at motorists explaining why we take up these positions as I get beeped at especially when I take up primary at pedestrian refuges .Keep the videos coming
Do youse call it the Ralla in the north ends?
I often use the Ralla i get on it were you got off ,like to go early before the North Face lads are up and about !