The route starts at the Eastern end of the collapsed Greywell tunnel following the canal through North Warnborough, Odiham, Dogmersfield, Church Crookham , Fleet and Aldershot. We will then leave the canal to return to my place in Farnham via the Blackwater valley cycle path. In total this is just over 20 miles.

The first leg: Sat 21 March 2015

We had planned for some time to get the first leg out of the way before we set off on the trip proper. Mainly so we could check that the bikes and more importantly that we were ready for the trip. We had already done the recce so knew that cycling the first couple of miles from the dried up western end would not be pleasant and involve quite a bit of walking across a private estate and some very muddy narrow sections. To “make up “for cheating by not doing this couple of miles we decided to cycle the first leg in both directions i.e. from home to Greywell and back. I’m sure you will agree that was very fair of us……. take two miles off but add 18 miles on!

As usual I messed about with the technology for a while before setting off, not that we really needed any as we knew the route and after all it is reasonably difficult to get lost riding along the canal?

On a previous ride the canal tow path was closed due to a landslip so I thought it would be a good idea to have the GPS to circumnavigate this if it was still an issue and it was important (well it was to me) to record the route.

After pumping up tyres and getting all sorted we set off at about 9 am. It was quite a dull day and quite chilly but there was no rain and we were excited to be getting out at last. I had even been doing some indoor turbo training but nothing really compares to being outside in the fresh air actually moving.

The initial couple of miles was very familiar having ridden it dozens of times, my home to the canal along the Blackwater valley cycle way. On reaching the canal we turned right towards Fleet which we had only ever cycled once and as I have already said we found our way blocked because of a landslide.

It was a very pleasant ride and quiet at that time of day, not many dog walkers or pushchairs which tend to clog up the route in the opposite direction towards Woking.

The tow path was relatively good and there were some interesting things to see on the way. There are a few old pill boxes and seeing tank traps was quite unexpected so far inland, perhaps in WW2 they thought the invasion may be coming by canal?

We continued to make good progress until we were at a large angry red sign telling us that the canal tow path was STILL closed due to a landslide!

I decided that I would take a look at the extent of the damage to see if we could get round any obstacle. After pulling the loose fencing to one side (obviously many people have done exactly the same) I walked through to discover that the path was fine.. not cycle able for about 100 metres but fine after that. I came back through the gap and took our bikes through. Not quite as easy as just getting myself through but better than an unknown detour. Susan followed and we pushed the bikes until the track become passable.

On reaching the far end we were faced with a similar problem which was not quite as easily passed but Susan scampered over the fence and I passed the bikes over to her, we were on our way again.

There were no more interruptions to our progress so we just stopped to take the occasional photo. Odiham castle was another unexpected sight. I have lived in this area for about 25 years and had never seen it before.

We were soon (well relatively soon) at the Greywell tunnel entrance which was a hive of activity as the Basingstoke canal society were building a new fence and clearing the banks.

We stopped briefly and pushed our bikes to the Fox and Goose where we settled down for lunch and a beer. It was very pleasant inside and the 6 Nations rugby was on TV but sadly we had to get moving if we wanted to be home for the England V France potential title decider.

The trip back was a little tedious, it had got a lot colder and a little windy.  We also knew that this was not really necessary as we had already done it one way. Passing the obstruction was much quicker as we now knew how to get round the fences. Another cyclist was staring at the blocked route in puzzlement, we had a chat he climbed over and I passed him our bikes, “many hands make light work”. We met him again at the Basingstoke canal sign were we chatted about our trip; he genuinely seemed impressed that we were planning a 400 mile cycle trip.

We decided to shorten the trip home by cutting off the canal at Queens Avenue, the GPS told me later we only saved 1.5 miles and it was “lumpier”.

Back at home with the fire on and a glass of fine Argentinian Malbec in hand watching England beat France convincingly (55 35) I can only say how rubbish the England defence was allowing Ireland to win the championship on points difference………