Hang on a minute, I've just been to the official canal waterways website and look what I've just found, does his mean I can cycle it? It shows up as a red dash (footpath) on opencycle maps.

Edited November 10, 20178 yr by awol

Looking at it logically.. What is the tow path for? Horses! Hoses = bridleways. Nuff said.

Looking at it logically.. What is the tow path for? Horses! Hoses = bridleways. Nuff said.

 

Indeed, and there is also a long and established canal working boat tradition where a bike is carried so that someone can cycle on ahead of the boat and ready the locks. 'Wheeling' I think they call it.

 

AFAIK all canal tow paths are open to bicycle traffic, private wharfes excepted.

Here's the towpath I found, proper deep mud with lots of high tree roots.

This section of the canal (to the side)has long since been dried up. The bike tyre marks in the mud were already there before me too. This would be great fun at night.

The canal path loop I really enjoy is from Walsall to Birmingham on the Daw End, Rushall and Birmingham Tame canals, and then home via the New Main line and Walsall arm canal. It's about 32 miles and is a fun ride. However, after consideration, there are stretches that at night might be too risky, especially that last mile into Brindley Place where the steep narrow lock side paths are.

 

I might switch to Cannock Chase, it's a bit more of a logistical exercise because I would need to take the van and find car parking but in terms of safety it's probably best for me.

 

My lights are Exposures "MaxD" and "Joystick" so I suspect that if I am not seeing something it's because I have them setup wrong or I wouldn't see it anyway. BTW - I now have a moderately impressive bruise on my arm.

 

Thanks for sharing experiences and I appreciate the offers for group travel, much appreciated.