Canal Commuting

TheFoolio888

Hi all...

I'm just about to start a new job and my commute is going to take me along 2-3 miles of canal towpaths. I quite looking forward to getting off the roads and away from the loony tin can drivers. Just wondering how people find this?

I think I'm more concerned about being mugged or pushed in the canal by some ruffian rather than anythng else as some of the route is through some shady areas. Does anyone ever have any problems?

psychle

Started experimenting with my commute last week by incorporating a six-mile stretch of canal path. Unfortunately the path surface was terrible, just dirt covered in loose stones. Coupled with a nasty headwind, what I thought would be a comfortable flat cruise at about 18-20 mph turned into a hellish slog at 12-13 mph.

A year or so ago I was out with the girlfriend cycling on another stretch of nearby canal when we passed a Young Offenders Institute. We heard a sharp pinging sound not far behind us which I'm pretty sure was an air rifle pellet fired in our general direction :shock:
That incident aside the only other problem encountered are the swans who don't seem to feel any need to move aside to let a cyclist pass. :?

mrchrispy

there are a load of ducks near Stretford that usually gang up on me

Canals tow paths tend to be puddle ridden most of the time so plan on getting wet feet.

TheFoolio888

I'm not too concerned by the surface as I have a fairly rugged hybrid with big tires...but the thought of a flat surface, minus drain, cars and HUGE puddles appeals.

I'm going to give it a dry run on a day off before I start anyway so I'll see how it goes.

wai

As mentioned in a previous thread, my experience of canal paths are fine as long as you're happy to pootle along at 10-12mph. It's like riding on the pavement (purely an inferred observation of course), except narrower.

Anything faster and I think you're better off on the road.

iainment

psychle wrote:

Started experimenting with my commute last week by incorporating a six-mile stretch of canal path. Unfortunately the path surface was terrible, just dirt covered in loose stones. Coupled with a nasty headwind, what I thought would be a comfortable flat cruise at about 18-20 mph turned into a hellish slog at 12-13 mph.A year or so ago I was out with the girlfriend cycling on another stretch of nearby canal when we passed a Young Offenders Institute. We heard a sharp pinging sound not far behind us which I'm pretty sure was an air rifle pellet fired in our general direction :shock:
That incident aside the only other problem encountered are the swans who don't seem to feel any need to move aside to let a cyclist pass. :?

Canal paths are used by pedestrians who have the right of way so you shouldn't be going that fast there.

psychle

iainment wrote:

psychle wrote:

Started experimenting with my commute last week by incorporating a six-mile stretch of canal path. Unfortunately the path surface was terrible, just dirt covered in loose stones. Coupled with a nasty headwind, what I thought would be a comfortable flat cruise at about 18-20 mph turned into a hellish slog at 12-13 mph.A year or so ago I was out with the girlfriend cycling on another stretch of nearby canal when we passed a Young Offenders Institute. We heard a sharp pinging sound not far behind us which I'm pretty sure was an air rifle pellet fired in our general direction :shock:
That incident aside the only other problem encountered are the swans who don't seem to feel any need to move aside to let a cyclist pass. :?

Canal paths are used by pedestrians who have the right of way so you shouldn't be going that fast there.

This is an open rural section, no roads or buildings within hundreds of yards. If I do encounter anyone on it I slow right down and, if they have their back to me, I call out "Good morning/afternoon. Do you mind if I pass?".
Still doesn't work with swans though

daniel_b

Canal towpaths are ok, but I find they get boring quite quickly, and when they are busy with pedestrians, making progress can be very slow.

Some stretches near me are also very narrow, or littered with tree roots.

I have to ride approximately 0.5 miles of towpath on my commute, 0.2 of that is the bumpy/gravelly/puddle ridden kind, and the latter part is a joy, in that it is paved, and VERY wide.

Dan

iainment

psychle wrote:

iainment wrote:

psychle wrote:

Started experimenting with my commute last week by incorporating a six-mile stretch of canal path. Unfortunately the path surface was terrible, just dirt covered in loose stones. Coupled with a nasty headwind, what I thought would be a comfortable flat cruise at about 18-20 mph turned into a hellish slog at 12-13 mph.A year or so ago I was out with the girlfriend cycling on another stretch of nearby canal when we passed a Young Offenders Institute. We heard a sharp pinging sound not far behind us which I'm pretty sure was an air rifle pellet fired in our general direction :shock:
That incident aside the only other problem encountered are the swans who don't seem to feel any need to move aside to let a cyclist pass. :?

Canal paths are used by pedestrians who have the right of way so you shouldn't be going that fast there.

This is an open rural section, no roads or buildings within hundreds of yards. If I do encounter anyone on it I slow right down and, if they have their back to me, I call out "Good morning/afternoon. Do you mind if I pass?".
Still doesn't work with swans though

Fair enough - sorry.

iainment

psychle wrote:

iainment wrote:

psychle wrote:

Started experimenting with my commute last week by incorporating a six-mile stretch of canal path. Unfortunately the path surface was terrible, just dirt covered in loose stones. Coupled with a nasty headwind, what I thought would be a comfortable flat cruise at about 18-20 mph turned into a hellish slog at 12-13 mph.A year or so ago I was out with the girlfriend cycling on another stretch of nearby canal when we passed a Young Offenders Institute. We heard a sharp pinging sound not far behind us which I'm pretty sure was an air rifle pellet fired in our general direction :shock:
That incident aside the only other problem encountered are the swans who don't seem to feel any need to move aside to let a cyclist pass. :?

Canal paths are used by pedestrians who have the right of way so you shouldn't be going that fast there.

This is an open rural section, no roads or buildings within hundreds of yards. If I do encounter anyone on it I slow right down and, if they have their back to me, I call out "Good morning/afternoon. Do you mind if I pass?".
Still doesn't work with swans though

Fair enough - sorry. I'm used to London canals which are chocker. Forgot that sensible people live outside London.

TheFoolio888

Daniel B wrote:

Canal towpaths are ok, but I find they get boring quite quickly, and when they are busy with pedestrians, making progress can be very slow.

Some stretches near me are also very narrow, or littered with tree roots.

I have to ride approximately 0.5 miles of towpath on my commute, 0.2 of that is the bumpy/gravelly/puddle ridden kind, and the latter part is a joy, in that it is paved, and VERY wide.

Dan

The canals are through the centre of birmingham...a mix of brick/paved and gravel I think. So I'm hoping it should be ok...I'm more than happs to pootle along at 10-12mps so I'm hoping it will be a nice quiet ride pnce past the city centre which I know can get a bit busy as I used to walk it.

tomfoolery

I used to use the canals regularly to go from Birmingham City Centre out towards Merry Hill (on the Birmingham-Wolverhampton Main Line). On a nice day it was a really nice ride, with generally no-one around so you can go at the pace you like. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomabnett/sets/72157594207509341/)

Downsides for me were a 1.75mile unlit bumpy tunnel which never stopped scaring me! Also if you get a real problem you can be in the middle of nowhere - but that shouldn't be a problem for you, sounds like.

You're meant to download, sign and print out a permit to cycle on the towpath (http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/cycling/permit), I'm not quite sure why.

Now I go on the roads though because the quality of the towpaths a way from Brum plus the tunnel guaranteed that I'd turn up to work filthy even on a dry & sunny day.

SmellTheGlove

Ref cycle permits for British Waterways, I believe they're now museum pieces only and no longer required. I can't recall where I read about their abolition but I think it was on an official BW site last year.
Quaint idea, rather like dog licences (...although now I think of it...)

Mr_Cellophane

SmellTheGlove wrote:

Ref cycle permits for British Waterways, I believe they're now museum pieces only and no longer required. I can't recall where I read about their abolition but I think it was on an official BW site last year.
Quaint idea, rather like dog licences (...although now I think of it...)

No still required on some paths.
http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/cycling/permit

Don't forget 2 rings when you pass a pedestrian.

SmellTheGlove

Aha - London canals exempt, some others not. Why? I guess that's no question for Bikeradar mortals...
Happy towpathing - esp. on those where the bridges are so narrow you have to hang over the drink to get through!

Garry71

I go along the canal from Smelly Oak to Snow Hill. You have to watch out for foreign students walking/riding on the wrong side of the path by the university.
Near Snow Hill, the path stinks of piss and has a lot of broken glass from the alkies who live in the local hostels.
Gas St/Broad St is very busy with peds during lunch time, but usually rideable at rush hour times.
If you see someone on a bright red racer wiping his new gatorskins clean every 10 yards, that'll be me.

Garry

johnnyc71

I like the canal paths around Brum - sometimes you get the odd teenager hiding behind a tunnel, waiting to scream at you, and yes the Canadian geese are very territorial. I was nearly run of the path by some bike bobby - with poor control, and I have encountered groups of people roasting a goose (maybe this is why they are tetchy towards cyclists).

I find you can cruise at 15 mph, no problems, just slow down for peds. Some sections have minor obstacles like low bridges, cobbles and lots of miniture bridges - the odd empty tin of special brew, but you get used to them.

It's all worth it, for some of the more scenic stretches - and it's always cool to be cycling under all of the congested traffic, like a different world really.

Keiron Curtis

I know what you mean, riding alone along the towpath you can feel somewhat vulnerable, and I've often aprehensive, when approaching youths etc., hanging around canalside. Glad to report no problem so far.

TheFoolio888 wrote:

Hi all...

I'm just about to start a new job and my commute is going to take me along 2-3 miles of canal towpaths. I quite looking forward to getting off the roads and away from the loony tin can drivers. Just wondering how people find this?

I think I'm more concerned about being mugged or pushed in the canal by some ruffian rather than anythng else as some of the route is through some shady areas. Does anyone ever have any problems?

Duggie50

Today was my first proper commute into work and I really enjoyed it (apart from the geese giving me grief). I can see why so many people do it.
I go from Pendeford (Wolverhampton) to Birmingham, so it's a fair distance for a beginner like me.
Did a practise run on Saturday and managed it in 1hr 48mins in the dry, today took a fraction over 2hrs.

Those geese really are a problem though )

anweledig

On the Shropshire Union you often encounter anglers whose equipment fills the towpath. Their rods can easily block the path at ankle height and you need to keep an eye out for them (a rod can cost an angler a few hundred and they hate it when you run over it ) - Mind you if they don't move the rods out of the water quickly enough a narrow boat makes it a very short rod (no brakes on a boat).

shisaa

I quite enjoy using towpaths for commuting. Avoid the traffic and exhaust fumes. Just beware pedestrians, it can get busy at certain times. They can also be quite bumpy, but then again so can quite a lot of proper roads so there you go. The other things to watch out for are ducks and pigeons, who will only move at the last minute, as you found out.

black flash

psychle wrote:

Started experimenting with my commute last week by incorporating a six-mile stretch of canal path. Unfortunately the path surface was terrible, just dirt covered in loose stones. Coupled with a nasty headwind, what I thought would be a comfortable flat cruise at about 18-20 mph turned into a hellish slog at 12-13 mph.

A year or so ago I was out with the girlfriend cycling on another stretch of nearby canal when we passed a Young Offenders Institute. We heard a sharp pinging sound not far behind us which I'm pretty sure was an air rifle pellet fired in our general direction :shock:
That incident aside the only other problem encountered are the swans who don't seem to feel any need to move aside to let a cyclist pass. :?

That'll be the Union Canal then?
Went from Edinburgh to Broxburn on Sunday, then Edinburgh to Linlithgow on Monday.
The head-wind on the return was a killer!
Did it on a hybrid and managed it fine.

jefferee

johnnyc71 wrote:

yes the Canadian geese are very territorial.

We don't want them back, FYI.

JavaBob

My local geese are hungry rather than aggressive. I give then half a slice of bread and they take from my hand in a very civilised manner. Their beaks are serated and they have little pink tongues. The swans have seasons when they can be highly aggressive but I buy them off with a slice of bread. The canal is only fifty metres from my home and is beautiful.

Flycatcher

I used to commute along the Peak Forest Canal which links Portland Basin in Ashton Under Lyne to Stockport but the surface is terrible in winter, huge puddles, lots of mud and pot holes everywhere so I ditched it for the road which has its obvious disadvantages but at least you got there clean if not dry.

I never especially worried about gangs and I didn't see to many to be honest. Plenty of lone femae dog walkers about so if it's Ok for them it's fine for big old me!

Duggie50

JavaBob wrote:

I give then half a slice of bread and they take from my hand in a very civilised manner.

Genius idea!
Cheers

NorwegianBlue

SmellTheGlove wrote:

Aha - London canals exempt, some others not. Why? I guess that's no question for Bikeradar mortals...
Happy towpathing - esp. on those where the bridges are so narrow you have to hang over the drink to get through!

I'm told it's all to do with the path's status as a right of way.

Some have no legal status as a right of way or are classified as footpaths. These are, I believe, the ones for which you require a permit. Gawd knows why they do it though, surely it's just an unneceary admin overhead for them. I would have thought that they would just make them permissive cycle paths and do away with the problem.

You wouldn't believe how complex BW boat licensing is.

prj45

Make sure you get a permit, they do check sometimes!

http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/cycling/permit

spring91

I noticed quite a few single men hanging around the long tunnel between Millenium Point and Digbeth (Birmingham). It took me while to realise what was going on and slightly concerned that when I cycle into town via the canals with my kids we could stumble upon some adult activity!

tomfoolery

Err, yeah you're not wrong there spring. I went on the loop all around Birmingham this time last year and actually interrupted some blokes in a tunnel around there. Slightly awkward all round. And before that I'd seen a bloke with a 'tasche, so at least I'd had some warning. But I did think about if there were families around (think of the kids etc etc). Saw a copper slightly further on under the telecom tower and asked if I was in a cruising area or anything and he said yep, right in the middle of it.

NorwegianBlue

Was it a real copper, or did he look like that bloke out of the village people?