Distance 181 kms Ascent 1,100 metres

Today’s route was half tarmac & half gravel towpaths & rail trails but after starting on a well maintained trail it deteriorated to an overgrown single track that threatened to pull me into the canal. My arms & legs copped the brunt of the spiky undergrowth.

The canals were a lot busier today with the boats moving in both directions. The locks were being used constantly so I managed to get some pics of a boat moving through.

Many of the owners were busily painting the boats & I even saw one mowing the grass in front of his.

It was definitely the worst day so far, mentally rather than physically, as the battle with the undergrowth took its toll. And even when I was on tarmac it was skirting major cities so was busy & not very pleasant.

To top it off the last 8 kms was on a muddy, rocky, goat track that took me 40 minutes to ride, sibling in fact that I missed Mundi who had been waiting for me.

Hopefully tomorrow will be more enjoyable!

We have no internet tonight so pics will have to wait until tomorrow