Rode kona CX with MapMyRide+! Distance: 42.30mi, time: 03:31:38, pace: 5:00min/mi, speed: 11.99mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/854663071
Slow average speed, but hey, it’s off-road. I took a canal towpath to to the Sefton Cross pennine route. It’s a disused railway line which runs up to Southport. Perfect terrain to try out my new cyclocross bike.

Then on along Southport sea front to the north. At the end of the sea walk is a short track that usefully cuts out a busy roundabout. But I witnessed an unfortunate scene. A hawk, disturbed and took flight along a ditch, in its claws it carried the still live body of a songbird.
After passing the familiar landmark Martin Mere, I made my way back along the same canal towards the start. The bridge I left the water looked like the first one but led to a public footpath. I hope I was legal riding on that route between fields.
Negotiating paths like that demand non-stop concentration, especially the bit past The Saracen’s Head. I really didn’t want to fall in the canal in front of that audience. Next time, make sure your phone is in a waterproof bag.

The whole route was within the bounds of familiar routes, but it felt like I was travelling on new territory. Often, I could not be sure where I was, which canal bridge was coming up or how far remains.