Riding the Canals, ever do it?

Don't cyclists always have to give way to pedestrians on the towpath?
And maybe have a permit too....

Officially a permit yes, but no-one ever checks, but yes you have to give way, and to be fair it's not unreasonable.

Horatio, you can go up the Lee all the way to Hertford (maybe beyond, it's as far as I've got), it's a nice ride, and then the train back at the end of the day.

Also I did it on my fixed with skinny tires last summer. Most of it is gravel or paving slabs, rather than tarmac, but it's fine. I was actually thinking about organising a social ride there at some point.

The only thing you have to watch out for is a few sections where they put rows of bricks standing up in the tow path in to stop you cycling, there is one somewhere after victoria park, and one just after Lee Rowing Club in Stamford Hill. You can ride over them, but they will fuck up your wheels.