Where is it? On Limehouse Cut, where the canal ducks under the A12, just before Bow Locks. What's quirky about it? It's Britain's only floating towpath - it was the only solution to making a cyclable and walkable towpath under the main road.(There's supposed to be a floating and movable towpath where the Rochdale Canal goes under the M62, but as far as we know it's not currently in operation.) The tunnel used to be lit up in extra-terrestrial green, but the lights were turned off last time we were there.
Why bike there? It's a relaxing and pleasant trundle up the towpath from St Katherine's Dock, by London Bridge, along the ornamental canal, over Limehouse Basin and up the Cut. After the floating towpath, go on alongside Bow River past the Olympic sites, then take a left on the cut joining the Regents Canal. Carry on from there to Kings Cross and Paddington - and then Birmingham along the Grand Union, if you have time.
The floating towpath route is one of the chapters in my 50 Quirky Bike Rides book.
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