Canal Towpaths at night?

[The Turbonator]

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?

Edited by The Turbonator on Monday 22 August 17:19

[The Turbonator]

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.

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.

[The Turbonator]

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