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    Setting the fastest known time on Britain’s longest canal



    The Leeds & Liverpool Canal. 127 miles, 205 kilometres, entirely on the towpath. No official fastest known time exists. So I went and got one.

    A fastest known time, or FKT, is a record for a specific cycling route. No race, no entry fee, just a GPS file and a timer. This attempt was completed solo and completely unsupported with everything I needed in my pockets or available at shops along the way. The official keeper of these records in the UK is www.fastestknowntimes.org.uk, and that’s where I submitted the route before I rode it.

    I rode a Giant Revolt X Pro 2, loaned by Giant Liverpool, for one reason: 30mm of front suspension travel – just enough to take the edge off. Most of this towpath is fine on a gravel bike. Some of it isn’t… especially if you’re blasting it all out in one go.

    Found a couple of efforts on Strava before I went — nothing official, but absolutely worth a mention. My target was sub 9 hours. Whether I got there is in the video.

    The official FKT route is here if you fancy chasing it: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55695845

    My effort: https://www.strava.com/activities/18929671261

    The FKT Record: https://fastestknowntimes.org.uk/fastestknowntimes/#LEEDSLIVERPOOL

    Filmed on iPhone 17 Pro and Insta360 Ace Pro 2. June 2026.

    📍 Leeds | Bingley Five Rise | Skipton | Foulridge Tunnel | Burnley Embankment | Wigan Pier | Liverpool

    🚲 Bike loaned by Giant Liverpool: https://www.instagram.com/giantstoreliverpool/

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    19 Comments

    3. @laportss on

      Sick video mate, and didn't know about FKTs, gonna be taking a good look 👀

      That saddle drama is the sort of thing that would happen to me, glad I'm not alone! Although I'm not sure I'd end up finding the solution
      😅

    7. @AnthonyCyclingwithCancer97 on

      Just get yourself a Redshift shock stop suspension stem and seat post. It really makes a big difference to comfort on rough surfaces and guarding against all of the a cumulative punishment on your hands, arms, rear end and lower back. It's not cheap but it is nowhere near the financial hit of buying a new bike!

    11. @iainhuddart8496 on

      Great ride mate, enjoyed the vid too especially as I'm planning this ride at some point… not to challenge the FTK!! Would you imagine it makes any difference Leeds-Liverpool or Liverpool-Leeds? I'm just thinking about the wind that you faced right at the end and would have thought Liverpool-Leeds makes more sense with the prevailing wind being W-E

    13. @mhb.trains on

      Mate I bet this was such a mental struggle as well as physical! Staring at a seemingly straight towpath the entire time would just fry my brain! Good going mate, nicely done 🔥 Also would love to see you testing and reviewing some more different giants!

    14. @miutzyh on

      Been thinking about doing a TPT attempt then this pops up on my recommendations, news to me about the website so glad to see it. Great vid!

    18. @adrianspeight577 on

      Nice to watch that brought back memories from last year 20th June, did this but rode back to Leeds riding through the night was for charity legs where fine with all the training but could of done with them forks palms and arms were wrecked, Good on your effort, I would like to challenge you but running out of time at 68 😁

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