Riding the Canals, ever do it?

Depends when you're on it. Early mornings in the winter (I'm usually there about 8-8.30) are always really quiet - much quicker than the roads (on the stretch I use).
Summer evenings are busier though.

And it's prettier - good for the soul.

I can't be arsed riding to Angel from Hackney on the canals any more. Too many hostile self-righteous pedestrians and bike twats taking themselves and their bells too seriously. Makes me wanna buy a CANAL BOAT! Argh!

Jet-ski FTW!

Canal boat with a set of rollers on the deck.. top idea! :)

Person I know, changes to some chunkier/ more off-roadish tyres, looses a little pressure from the inners and has a blast. Adapt.

Huh? I ride the canals on the same shit I ride the road. There's no need to change anything.
I'm just saying the paths are full of idiots and I'd rather get to work 6x quicker by using the road.

Ridden from Little Venice to Perivale on the Grand Union in spring. Surprisingly rural. Requires reasonable tyres.

I ride this every day its had a lot of improvements recently
I used to ride 19/20c's all the time along it.
wednesday i put a 27c cross tyre on the back and a 25c on the front
geat for the gravel parts.

Canal essential is a bell , although i haven't had one on mine i keep meaning to add one.

I ride this every day its had a lot of improvements recently
I used to ride 19/20c's all the time along it.
wednesday i put a 27c cross tyre on the back and a 25c on the front
geat for the gravel parts.

Canal essential is a bell , although i haven't had one on mine i keep meaning to add one.

Riding in canals is fun.
Riding alongside them is not so much fun.

Seriously, the Grand Union (I think that's it) is great for an easy, low-traffic ride with your missus or something but for regular commuting - fuck that! It's full of walkers, fishermen and other cyclists that have no concept of allowing other people room.

In summery, great for a short cruise between pubs in the summer, not a great commute option. I prefer to play with cars.

So right dude, canals are shit for day to day.. I live right next to the regents canal and i never ride down there, too many people..i dont think bike should ride on tow paths either, its like riding on the pavement to me..

pissing off cars is too much fun to miss.

Honestly Platini go fuck yourself.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-766626016448012163

[quote=dandy horse;346882]i dont think bike should ride on tow paths either, its like riding on the pavement to me..

quote]

That's what I meant earlier about not hurtling up behind people dinging your bell- that just annoys the hell out of people.

I think it's fine if you cruise along behind people until they spot that you are there, and then step aside.

This obviously makes the tow path useless for highspeed travel unless early in the morning or late at night.

Cruising along in the sun is great though.

yeah its fine doing that..
I have to say when i'm walking along the canal i really hate the noise of bell's, to the point that i find myself wanting to push people in the canal, or just not get out of the way, its as though people ringing a bell gives them right of way, which is nonsensical if you consider it is in fact a pavement.. People dont get out of the way on the road if someone dings a bell.. Why on earth should they get out the way on a pavement??

Just my opinion..

Sorry

Totally agree- my natural reaction to a bell is one of irritation.

i cant help but feel a bell indicates a level of self imposed superiority that the world in no way needs..

Used to commute daily from Turnpike Lane to Canary Wharf. River Lea, then cut across Regents Canal & Down Lea again. This waa about 2 years ago but at this time of year hardly saw anyone & I loved it. Was setting off pretty early though & there are now a lot more cyclists about generally. Summer was different as a lot more people about in the evening but still bearable.

You do need a bell - mainly to warn other cyclists as you are going under the bridges blind to what's coming the other way. The towpaths are NOT the same as pavements - they are for shared usage & that includes bikes.

Generally it was great - I liked the tranquility even though you are in Central London. Also get to ee a surprising amount of wildlife.

Huh? I ride the canals on the same shit I ride the road. There's no need to change anything.
I'm just saying the paths are full of idiots and I'd rather get to work 6x quicker by using the road.

My ride is actually almost twice as fast going by canal rather than roads.
25 mins via canal
25 mins by car
45 mins via road
80 mins by tube

Uh if you rode on the canal you would know most people get pissed off if you don't ring a bell when going past them.

or just say politely "excuse me" that always works

My ride is actually almost twice as fast going by canal rather than roads.
25 mins via canal
25 mins by car
45 mins via road
80 mins by tube

are you an otter, or a water vole?

no i agree. ringing a bell is totally necessary. otherwise you may just linger behind a couple for a good while before anyone realizes you're there. but. regardless. canals are just about as scenic as it gets.

or just say politely "excuse me" that always works

+1 (except when they are mentals).

Or he's a canal boat which would explain why its quicker than using a road..

+1 (except when they are mentals).

i got stuck behind this bunch of walkers for about 15 mins once, started out with the polite excuse me, ended up roaring, turns out they were all deaf , it was only when they came to a barrier one of them spotted me and started making signs i realised.

Or this could be the answer?