Objective: cycle the Grand Union from Rickmansworth, along the Slough Arm (and back), down to the junction with the Paddington Arm. 2 trains back to Rickmansworth.
Trip Type: solo cycle
Distance: 25 miles cycling
Time to complete: 3 hours cycling (5-6 hours in total)
Nicholson Guide: Guide 1 pp 38, 39, 44, 45, 48-51
Costs: parking free; train from Hayes & Harlington to Paddington £7.00; Marylebone to Rickmansworth £7.50
Difficulty: moderate
Adjacent Rides: Tring Station to Rickmansworth, London Canals (Sections 2 & 3)
Overview
A slightly complicated day’s cycling due to the 2 part train journey back to the start point. Overall it will take 5-6 hours to complete. Longer if you find a decent pub, which I didn’t, although I was tempted by the (expensive) craft beer bar at Paddington.
The towpaths are generally poor, rough earth and gravel, but mostly not sloping, and wide enough. Muddy in parts when wet. There are a lot of nettles and brambles to irritate bare arms.
1. Rickmansworth to Slough (15 miles)
Park for free on Sherfield Avenue, Rickmansworth, WD3 1NL. It is a narrow suburban road with a few small-minded residents so park thoughtfully. It is a 3 minute ride to the canal. Drop down to the towpath near lock 81 (where the bike-unfriendly café is) using the sloping walkway just over the bridge.
The towpath is rough even while riding out of town. Decent scenery through nature reserves and lakes all the way to Denham. The towpath changes sides a few times – at The Malt Shovel cross to the pub side.
At Cowley Peachey look out for the marina on the right (the entrance is on the Slough Arm).
If you get as far as the big Tesco you’ve missed the Slough Arm junction, which has no signpost. It is accessed over the metal footbridge by the marina.
The Slough Arm is unremarkable for all of its 5 miles. The towpath is rough, narrow in places. About half way along there are steep steps up just past a bridge. On arrival at Slough Basin you are greeted by rats, rubbish, weeds and security fencing. Turn around quickly and head back.
2. Slough Basin to Hayes & Harlington (10 miles)
One back at the Grand Union turn right over the footbridge and continue on a good metalled towpath through parkland between Yewsley and West Drayton. After 3 1/2 miles you reach the Paddington Arm junction. That completes the section, so return to Hayes & Harlington station.
3. Train Journey back to Rickmansworth
Take a frequent train into Paddington. Use a TfL train as Great Western do not allow cycles unless pre-booked.
Head up main ramp out of Paddington Station, avoiding the small bear with the red hat. Continue up London Street until you reach Sussex Gardens, which has a cycle lane. Turn left.
Sussex Gardens becomes Old Marylebone Road. Cross Marylebone Road A501 to arrive at Marylebone Station, which is rather quaint.
Catch the Aylesbury train back to Rickmansworth. Make sure you are on the correct line – there are 2 lines to Aylesbury, only one of which is via Rickmansworth!.
At Rickmansworth Station cycle down through the town centre, over the bridge, and back to Sherfield Avenue.