.........On Route 66.No! Not that one! This is part of the National Cycle Network and winds from Hull to Manchester(doesn't have quite the same ring as Chicago to LA).
This is the very beginning of the Leeds -Liverpool canal(or in my case ,the very end) In 2006 ,I cycled the full length of the canal from Liverpool back to Leeds.I was struck when I arrived back in Leeds by the canal basin right in the centre of Leeds,with many colourful canal boats.Sadly this is not as evident now as the basin is now a building site for yet more city centre flats.
The Leeds and Liverpool Canal was the first of the Trans-Pennine canals to be started and the last to be completed.. The canal originates from a proposal in 1765 to construct a canal from Preston to Leeds to carry woollen goods from Leeds and Bradford and limestone from Skipton. Prospective backers in Lancashire argued for the canal to start from Liverpool.
One of three trans-Pennine waterways, the Leeds and Liverpool Canal is 127 miles long and, via its connection with the Aire & Calder at Leeds, offers a coast-to-coast route across the north of England.
There are two tunnels ,through which it is not possible to walk or cycle, at Foulridge and Burnley.In many places ,the canal contours round hillsides,taking a longer route to avoid excessive changes in height and therefore many locks(eg just past Gargrave) but at Burnley neither contouring nor locks were considered feasible and a mile long aqueduct,the Burnley embankment ,was built.
There are 92 locks en route,although it is possible to navigate the deep lock at Appley (not a typo!) Bridge and only use 91.The canal ceased to be used for commercial purposes in 1972 and is now used extensively for leisure.
The Cache is a micro so you will need your own writing implement.
It is situated near the old Canal Offices.
Pedestrian access to this site is now much easier if coming from the North of the city,now that the footbridge over the river has opened