We set off to do a ride to the Barton swingbridge, but it was only a ten mile loop so we decided to go back over my hillbilly bridge as well.
It was much easier with two and lets remote creepy feeling.
Starting at Irlam locks google maps showed a path next to the main road, it was hilariously overgrown, but we soldiered on to access a remote bridge
Surprisingly my friend was fully supportive of pushing through basically Dr Livingstone territory, discovering a lost pygmy tribe was possible at this point
We found the bridge only to be met by two teenage hipsters smoking weed, I gave them a thumbs up and got a well deserved look of whatever.
Further on was the free ferry crossing, its still on google maps with opening times, but the website hasn't been updated since 2022,
and its completely blocked off with importantly no ferry.
We took advantage of a long traffic light stop to de vegetate the bikes
The swing canal bridge at Barton, still in working order but just left to decay otherwise
The lock keepers house , the new British solution of galvanised fence it off rather than invest in rebuilding and celebrating this world one off.
It was surrounded by fly tipping and old mattresses.
The other side of the canal is nicer.
Thats the bridge in the middle, we laughed about what would happen if the sluices failed and the entire canal just emptied as the bridge swung, a huge waterfall dropping
into the ship canal and watching them trying to close it again...I 'd buy a ticket for that.
The only upgrade is the Elf and Safety fire escape.
Got chased by these two huge dogs with the owner shouting them back while they completely ignored him.
Its alright mayyte, they wouldn't hurt a fly as its chewing on my backside.
We gave him the look, yeah thats what they all say in court, they've never eaten a cyclist before m'lud.
Some old school ship filling device
This path led into a completely fenced off derelict sports centre, we had to hike a bike out.
Dan was starting to tire and getting grumpy, then he failed to notice this rise wasn't a smooth path, but large steps and hit it flat out, bounced and was catapulted into the field
on his back, luckily it knocked the kid back into him and he thought it was hilarious.
Great day out, superficial injuries, Dan needed new knees anyway.
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