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@lardboy
Well, it was certainly eventful. First off I went along the wrong canal after I got onto them at the ICC, and had to head around the Walsall Road and the Ring Road to get back onto the planned route. I got absolutely drenched in the early rain (12 o'clock) and even sheltered for a short while in an underpass on the ring road. When I finally got onto the right canal it was lovely riding, apart from the constant puddles throwing gritty water onto my shoes, and the odd bit of towpath which seemed to have been designed to shake my bones.
Apart from a wasp flying into my helmet and the inevitable sting, the canal until the turn off onto the Walsall canal was good, and on a dry day would have been perfect. A particular highlight was the Galton tunnel and bridges, unexpectedly pretty.
After the turn off it wasn't so good. On a couple of stretches, I was riding in ruts no more than 6 inches wide, and hoping that I was going to be OK. The first couple of miles are pretty sketchy, but when the towpath reappeared (along with the fishermen), it was hunky dory. Apart from the puncture a couple of bridges before I turned off (at Willenhall), I really enjoyed the ride, although it was a relief to get back onto asphalt.
I think if I do it again, I'll pop on some proper CX tyres as the 28s lost traction under braking on some of the slippery downhills, then I wouldn't be restricted to the ruts on the dodgier sections and would have a bit more grip on the grass. Probably a bit comfier on the rougher patches too.
Very interesting to see a city you know from a completely different angle. Thanks for the help.