Canal Towpaths at night?
Discussion
Might have a new job soon, which is located 7 miles straight down the canal.
To save money and to get fit I'm seriously considering getting a mountain bike and cycling it. My concern is that I will be starting at 6am and finishing at 6pm. Wouldn't give it a second thought in the Summer when it will be light at those times but with Winter approaching, it will be dark.
Am I over reacting or will I be murdered and thrown into the canal?
To save money and to get fit I'm seriously considering getting a mountain bike and cycling it. My concern is that I will be starting at 6am and finishing at 6pm. Wouldn't give it a second thought in the Summer when it will be light at those times but with Winter approaching, it will be dark.
Am I over reacting or will I be murdered and thrown into the canal?
Edited by The Turbonator on Monday 22 August 17:19
numtumfutunch said:
Where are you?
I wouldn't do it if it's derelict after dark in case you have a stupid accident on mud or ice or if it's likely to be muggers alley
And you need a CX bike or hybrid
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.I wouldn't do it if it's derelict after dark in case you have a stupid accident on mud or ice or if it's likely to be muggers alley
And you need a CX bike or hybrid
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.
They're a bit disconcerting at night for thr first few times you use them. The canals around here are completely unlit and the towpaths are quite narrow. I have used them at night on a mountain bike with a good quality LED lighting the way, Serfas USL-305. USB chargeable, three settings to dim the light or full beam (which is massively bright!).
I've no idea how the towpaths are in Leeds though, probably better than here in small town Staffordshire.
I've no idea how the towpaths are in Leeds though, probably better than here in small town Staffordshire.
OP, is the last bit on the Aire or do you just mean to the end of the Leeds Liverpool? I'm not local but I have run the 13 miles from the head of the canal going Northwest towards Kirkstall and that section is almost all wide, flat and lots of it is tarmac. I can think of one spot that is narrow and uneven but there is a quiet road next to it and that is probably 10 miles or so out of town.
A couple of the bridges might need passing with care... they were slippery and wet when I ran a marathon there in March.
A couple of the bridges might need passing with care... they were slippery and wet when I ran a marathon there in March.
MarshPhantom said:
With winter coming the towpath will just turn to mud, not fun for 7 miles.
Yes agreed - towpath near me turns into horrific un-rideable mud if it rains for more than a couple of days. Fallen victim of it twice - ended up pushing the bike and then spending ages cleaning afterwards 
Unless it's a well maintained path I'd probably avoid it.
UpTheIron said:
OP, is the last bit on the Aire or do you just mean to the end of the Leeds Liverpool? I'm not local but I have run the 13 miles from the head of the canal going Northwest towards Kirkstall and that section is almost all wide, flat and lots of it is tarmac. I can think of one spot that is narrow and uneven but there is a quiet road next to it and that is probably 10 miles or so out of town.
A couple of the bridges might need passing with care... they were slippery and wet when I ran a marathon there in March.
Live in Kirkstall, so yeah you're right, the first bit will be following the Aire A couple of the bridges might need passing with care... they were slippery and wet when I ran a marathon there in March.
Compared to riding the city roads at night I'd be on the towpaths for sure. I ride some truly filthy paths but only a mile of filth, the other 4miles are firmer and then I'm on the road for 9 miles (with everything grinding and graunching the rest of the way home :-( The Leeds canals look like hard pack / tarmac to me.
You need to build a snotter / pub bike though...
You need to build a snotter / pub bike though...
Do it. Get some good lights, take corners slow, and be prepared to change your route of it gets too muddy if it rains a lot. Otherwise I prefer the canal at night. You can see people coming much better in the dark as everyone carries a light.
The only issue is seeing the ground. I would suggest at least two lights. One for close up and one for further down the path to give you good vision.
The only issue is seeing the ground. I would suggest at least two lights. One for close up and one for further down the path to give you good vision.
Bobley said:
Compared to riding the city roads at night I'd be on the towpaths for sure. I ride some truly filthy paths but only a mile of filth, the other 4miles are firmer and then I'm on the road for 9 miles (with everything grinding and graunching the rest of the way home :-( The Leeds canals look like hard pack / tarmac to me.
You need to build a snotter / pub bike though...
Surely the worry is not the filth but the scum, though...You need to build a snotter / pub bike though...
I use a river path as part of my night rides throughout the winter months, as people have said above they do get boggy and you need to take it easy on the corners, when I first did it at night the scariest thing was the shadows caused by some of the trees!
Get some decent lights, one on your helmet and one on your bars.
I've been running some of the cheap ebay ones for a few years, they are bright but give no warning of going dead so you could be in full brightness one second and darkness the next!
Get some decent lights, one on your helmet and one on your bars.
I've been running some of the cheap ebay ones for a few years, they are bright but give no warning of going dead so you could be in full brightness one second and darkness the next!
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff