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Marple top lock to Castlefields, Manchester - how long?


Rooffy

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We have just done this - only a couple of weeks ago as we have now just left Castlefield to head up the Bridgewater for Blacking. We did the Marple locks in about 3/4 hours and moored just after the aqueduct overnight. We then did the Ashton locks the next day right into Picaddilly Village. We set off about 8ish and were in Picadilly Village for around 4ish. Then we stayed there for a night or two before heading down into Castlefield which took another 3 hours down the Rochdale 9 locks.

 

Depends how fast you want to go, but there was only two of us too and no rush which is why we spread it out over 3 days. Not only that, but we wanted to make sure we were on the Ashton early and off it as early as possible(!!) due to all the rumours that fly around about it. However, Ive never been on a canal with so many walkers or cyclers who were so nice and offering to help with lock gates, waving, smiling... etc

 

If there are six of you , so long as the canals are quiet (like they were for us), you can send a couple of lads down to set the locks further ahead and probably get it done a hell of a lot quicker :)

 

Hope that helps

Edited by lewisericeric
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It can be done in a long day, although going from Marple that puts you on the Ashton mid-afternoon which is not recommended by some. From memory of doing it (not all in one day) Marple top to Castlefield was about 12-13 hours, it is 43 locks, and as well as a big crew a lot of anti-vandal keys will help, one for every windlass.

 

Edited to add - what we actually did was Castlefield to Piccadilly village (having started around Lymm), From their to Marple bottom lock on the next day, and then to the top lock and on to our then mooring at High Lane on day 3. Piccadilly to Marple Bottom lock was around 8 hours from memory

Edited by magpie patrick
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Any idea how long it would take? We are an experienced fit crew of six men. Comments, advice appreciated

 

2 Days.

 

Day 1 down Marple and moor between bridges 1 and A on the Peak Forest. Around 5 hours.

Day 2 set off early and 27 locks to Castlefield. Around 10 - 12 hours.

 

In theory, it can be done in a day, but I wouldn't recommend it!

 

1) 43 Locks in a day is just too many!

2) Some of the locks, particularly the Rochdale 9 are challenging even for strong blokes. They are a real pig when you've already done the Ashton 18, but if you've already done 34 locks that day, you would be fit for nothing.

3) Although the Ashton is many times less daunting than it once was, this would make you very late in the day through the bits where troublesome characters like to congregate.

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Many thanks all respondents. Will probably and sadly miss Archers pies due to start at crack of dawn. 43 locks in a day has been done by us before but we were younger then, but see how we go. We are time-served hirers doing the ring in a week and so don't have the luxury of open ended days. Hope to get to Bugsworth and Worsley too. We revel in long days on the move, so long as there's a lunchtime session. I've bought a fishing magnet to troll for keys.

 

If all goes to plan we will be setting off from Marple Monday May 5th.

Edited by Rooffy
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Good luck, we met a family who did Ashton and Rochdale in one day and they were shattered - we took two days, but 6 of you could do it all in a day, locks permitting of course - have a good time - we're doing the Ring over 2 weeks - that way we can take our time

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