Canal Towpaths at night?

[Pieman68]

No worries from Kirkstall into town as it's a lovely tarmac path - I ride/run it regularly

Not sure what it's like out the other side of town though I'm afraid and would be a touch apprehensive around Hunslet/Miggy area

[snotrag]

OP - I also live in Eaat Leeds, probably not that far from your potential new job.

The canal is mainly fine, but there are some less good bits (surface, area, narrowness etc).

Last year in the floods lots of the canal paths got very badly damaged in the area you mention - plus side being lots of it is being replaced and rebuilt.

However there's lot of opportunities to find yourself a safe, mainly traffic free route - I could give some pointers if you PM'd me.

As an aside, a faster/lighter hybrid or CX bike would be more suitable than an MTB.

Finally, Leeds City Council used to do a really good cyclists map - showing paths, cycle lanes and the quietest, safest roads for cycling across the city. Bike shops should have it or I'm sure you could ring the council and ask.

[anonymous-user]

I used to use cancel paths but the amount of broken glass and random weird people turned me off. I did get slime inner tubes and thicker tyres which solved the glass problem but the weird people were still there.

I know it is a rare event but people do get pushed in the canal. I would bike there but use another route home.

Edited by The Spruce goose on Tuesday 23 August 11:55

[louiebaby]

You just need to be able to see where you're going:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201629824756

Seems like the most (Chinese) lumens you can buy for the money.

[anonymous-user]

The Turbonator said:

It's in Leeds. I live about 3 miles North West of the city centre and the new job is 4 miles South East of the city center, so the canal pretty much follows a straight line route to get to work.

About 1 mile either side of the city centre is fine. Very well lit, and very populated. The side I'm worried about is about a mile or two outside of Leeds towards the South East, when it passes through Hunslet, not the nicest area of Leeds.

P.s. I'm not a company director so not well built.

I ride to and from Leeds now and again. Unfortunately a lot of the canal paths from the Royal Armouries South-East bound are closed at the moment due to flood alleviation scheme currently being undertaken;

http://www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/Pages/FloodAllev...

My advice would be to check out ridewithgps.com and plot a suitable alternative route from A to B, which you will find much more amenable than tying to battle with the canal path closures. Shouldn't add too much distance to your commute, and with it being road/cycle path based you'll probably find it takes you less time because your average speed will be quicker.

[tuffer]

I incorporated a section of the Kennet & Avon tow path in a recent ride, could not wait to get off it. BORING, it's like you are in one of those Scooby-Doo chase scenes, flat, pretty straight and just not a lot going on. Occasional Barges moored up have ropes/pegs which are a hazard and conditions were very sketchy in parts and that was in the day, I would certainly avoid at night. My Sister and BiL also decided to ride from Bath to Devizes and back, said much the same thing, boring and would have rather gone by the back lanes and had rolling terrain. It is OK for the occasional jaunt but 8 miles each way each day would get old really quick.

[Steamer]

My biggest issue last winter was numpty cyclists with cree (or similar) mega bright front lights coming the other way and blinding me.... No wonder we get a bad name

I always take care to adjust or shield my light when passing anyone