Night Riding - Towpaths

[GlenBen]

Just make sure you have a decent light and your second point is solved.

As for the first? A jousting lance and armour? Chain your bike to your leg? Unclip as you pass people so you feel more ready to jump off if needs must.

 

[vickster]

Carry a personal safety (aka) rape alarm in case of attack?

As others have said, slow down if worried about speed related accidents, you should anyway if there are others around

 

[GilesM]

Not Sure what sort of bike you are riding, but I have discovered that my aluminium hardtail with 2.0" tyres does float, I landed in a very deep flood one day, also, I read that in Danny Macaskill's Wee Day Out Video, they had to fill the frame tubes with Sand to do the bit where he rides through the very deep puddle.

 

[MontyVeda]

Does anyone else presume that a group of people loitering on a towpath are more likely to be muggers than just a group of people hanging around?

If so, it's a very sad state of affairs. Or maybe just misguided paranoia?

 

[MontyVeda]

Funnily enough, as someone who spends a fair amount of time on towpaths, I was about to say something similar...

Same here... and some of the estates our towpath passes are what one might consider 'less than desirable' areas, but that's not to be confused with 'less than desirable' people... they come from all walks of life IME.

 

[Drago]

If you're male you're more likely to be a victim of violent crime during daylight hours. When you consider that most of the alcohol town centre related thumpings, stabbings etc happen at night that leaves precious few 'normal' incidents of violence.

It wouldn't worry me, but if its that much of a fear choose a different route .

 

[Tangoup51]

Just make sure you have a decent light and your second point is solved.

As for the first? A jousting lance and armour? Chain your bike to your leg? Unclip as you pass people so you feel more ready to jump off if needs must.

My Lighting is good, but wondered if there was anything more. - but the lights make the obvious big importance.

I'll agree with the jousting lance. Would of needed that when facing down the local drunkards in the city street.

Carry a personal safety (aka) rape alarm in case of attack?

As others have said, slow down if worried about speed related accidents, you should anyway if there are others around

I don't believe in those little things, but I agree with slowing down. I do that alot, but others tend not too.

Not Sure what sort of bike you are riding, but I have discovered that my aluminium hardtail with 2.0" tyres does float, I landed in a very deep flood one day, also, I read that in Danny Macaskill's Wee Day Out Video, they had to fill the frame tubes with Sand to do the bit where he rides through the very deep puddle.

That's interesting, had wondered how he got that down. I'm riding a CX bike with 42c tires for those routes, so big enough air ballast I suppose, good point.

Or maybe just misguided paranoia?

Paranoia, yes, misguided, no. - Playing safe in those situations has gotten me out of alot of trouble before.

are what one might consider 'less than desirable' areas, but that's not to be confused with 'less than desirable' people....

and IME less than desirable areas house less than desirable people. - Not on the whole, there's always going to be good people there. - But quite a handful won't be, and it's those people I have and can encounter.

If you're male you're more likely to be a victim of violent crime during daylight hours. When you consider that most of the alcohol town centre related thumpings, stabbings etc happen at night that leaves precious few 'normal' incidents of violence.

It wouldn't worry me, but if its that much of a fear choose a different route .

Good portions of my towpath routes run past active pubs very close to the city center; I tend to already avoid such routes at night. Though, there's only so many routes I can choose from before I find myself back in the same scenario down the line. Better to prepare, than ultimately avoid.


Though, I think the only way to prepare with those scenarios is to Avoid them and Encounter them; just at varying times and locations. - So i'll stick to that for now.

Thanks all.

 

[BrumJim]

Having knocked a couple of people into the canal on their bikes (both accidentally, in case you are wondering, and both times I was on my bike too, not attempting to mug anyone), I can probably allay your fears on one of the questions.
When a person and bike fall into the canal, the bike sinks rather slowly, so there is plenty of chance to get out of the water, and grab a wheel before it disappears below the surface. Just as long as you don't take your time and pull a couple of synchronised swimming moves before you get out. I always help the cyclist out first, before pulling his bike out next.

On the muggings front, I can't help you. I avoid the canals during dark hours as you can't really see much, and are therefore in danger of accidentally hitting things. Therefore I cannot give you a "I've been doing it for 6 years and never been mugged once" response.

 

[Tangoup51]

Having knocked a couple of people into the canal on their bikes (both accidentally, in case you are wondering, and both times I was on my bike too, not attempting to mug anyone), I can probably allay your fears on one of the questions.
When a person and bike fall into the canal, the bike sinks rather slowly, so there is plenty of chance to get out of the water, and grab a wheel before it disappears below the surface. Just as long as you don't take your time and pull a couple of synchronised swimming moves before you get out. I always help the cyclist out first, before pulling his bike out next.

On the muggings front, I can't help you. I avoid the canals during dark hours as you can't really see much, and are therefore in danger of accidentally hitting things. Therefore I cannot give you a "I've been doing it for 6 years and never been mugged once" response.

Solid advice, thanks!