Safe places for activities in the dark? (not dogging obvs ;) )

Zylo

Well-Known Forumite
Hey guys, is there anywhere to avoid? I suffer from anxiety quite a bit but want to start biking/running / generally being active more, I like to go in the dark- that's not the problem (have lights etc) I prefer it especially going at "quieter" times (which in a way makes it more dangerous)

But what I do worry about it sometimes, when the dark hits / lateish at night.. the dodgy people come out, is there anywhere to avoid that's not "safe"? My bike won't get mugged from me etc? as mainly on about bike i'd go at quieter times to avoid people etc

Is the old-railway line safe? or do some dodgy youths/any age in general go down there for example? same with isobel trail

Thanks in advance, sorry if it sounds a bit weird.

(wasn't sure to put this here or somewhere else as it's about stafford- but classed as sports/acitvities)
 
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Glam

Mad Cat Woman
Hey guys, is there anywhere to avoid? I suffer from anxiety quite a bit but want to start biking/running / generally being active more, I like to go in the dark- that's not the problem (have lights etc) I prefer it especially going at "quieter" times (which in a way makes it more dangerous)

But what I do worry about it sometimes, when the dark hits / lateish at night.. the dodgy people come out, is there anywhere to avoid that's not "safe"? My bike won't get mugged from me etc? as mainly on about bike i'd go at quieter times to avoid people etc

Is the old-railway line safe? or do some dodgy youths go down there for example? same with isobel trail

Thanks in advance, sorry if it sounds a bit weird.
It doesn't sound weird at all. I'd avoid the Isobel Trail after dark at all costs, well dodgy people down there of an evening/ night, it isn't always that safe during the day either.
Which area of town are you in?
 

Zylo

Well-Known Forumite
It doesn't sound weird at all. I'd avoid the Isobel Trail after dark at all costs, well dodgy people down there of an evening/ night, it isn't always that safe during the day either.
Which area of town are you in?

Near KFC, just thinking about using bike etc, only would go to these places then can do other things around my area, but i'm curious just if I wanted to branch out a bit, and ok Isobel trail is off the list- I was only looking at that because it's up beaconside way and they've got a decent cycle path for once up there

I'm mainly bothered about the old railway line, as it's a nice flat as long as you want to go place- you can go towards derrington gnosall etc
 
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littleme

250,000th poster!
It doesn't sound weird at all. I'd avoid the Isobel Trail after dark at all costs, well dodgy people down there of an evening/ night, it isn't always that safe during the day either.
Which area of town are you in?
I avoided the Isabel trail today when I *walked to the Range, as I was walking on my own. Its a bit shite really to feel that places aren't safe, even in daylight.

*Yes! I walked! I've decided that recently I've got very very lazy, I drive everywhere. So I'm only going to use the car for work and if I do a big shop. Today I walked to the Range..... Not sure where I'll go tomorrow.
 

Lucy

Well-Known Forumite
Near KFC, just thinking about using bike etc, only would go to these places then can do other things around my area, but i'm curious just if I wanted to branch out a bit, and ok Isobel trail is off the list- I was only looking at that because it's up beaconside way and they've got a decent cycle path for once up there
Could you cycle over to Rowley Park?
 

littleme

250,000th poster!
Near KFC, just thinking about using bike etc, only would go to these places then can do other things around my area, but i'm curious just if I wanted to branch out a bit, and ok Isobel trail is off the list- I was only looking at that because it's up beaconside way and they've got a decent cycle path for once up there
Depends how fast you can cycle?

On a serious note, there have been muggings along the Isabel trail, but I imagine the same could be said anywhere.

At least there are more people out & about exercising at the moment, so while you prefer not to be around people, there should always be someone within earshot.
 

Glam

Mad Cat Woman
@Withnail is/was a bike user, i'm sure they may have some suggestions for you.
Youngest used go from here (Doxey Road), up North end, doing a circuit, Eccleshall Road, Crab Lane, past his Dads home, then either on to the Stone Road or come back down First Avenue to rejoin the Eccleshall Road. It isn't much, but was enough for him while on lockdown. Then he'd land home and give me all the gossip what was happening up at our old house!
@tek-monkey is/was a bike rider before passing his driving test too xx
 

Zylo

Well-Known Forumite
Could you cycle over to Rowley Park?

Yes I can

Also I should probably add i'm not bothered about road-cycling (my bike is more suited to off-road) which means cannock chase or down the canal (i'm not going down the canal at night/in the dark i'll end up in the canal knowing me)

But if it's a place away from the roads like i've mentioned, or at least quiet places, it doesn't really matter.

I normally walk and have started jogging, but I'd like to add bike in sometimes as it's just sitting there doing nothing cheers.
 

littleme

250,000th poster!
@Withnail is/was a bike user, i'm sure they may have some suggestions for you.
Youngest used go from here (Doxey Road), up North end, doing a circuit, Eccleshall Road, Crab Lane, past his Dads home, then either on to the Stone Road or come back down First Avenue to rejoin the Eccleshall Road. It isn't much, but was enough for him while on lockdown. Then he'd land home and give me all the gossip what was happening up at our old house!
@tek-monkey is/was a bike rider before passing his driving test too xx
@proactive,
@stoofer34 & @Gramaisc might have suggestions too...
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
@proactive,
@stoofer34 & @Gramaisc might have suggestions too...

I've never had an issue on the Isabel Trail, of a potentially violent nature.

In the dark, it's actually not easy for a potential assailant to assess you properly.

The 'danger' element can be more a matter of your perception.

Subject to a more thorough assessment of my records, I think all my violent events whilst cycling have been with motor vehicles in broad daylight.
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
@proactive,
@stoofer34 & @Gramaisc might have suggestions too...
Not experienced any issues with the Isabel Trail but neither do I use it at night. If I wanted to get a workout on a bike at night somewhere halfway near KFC then I'd ride up to Wildwood and cycle round the perimeter road a few times. 1.6 miles per lap, lightly trafficked, a couple of climbs to get your heart rate going and always close enough to houses in the event of an emergency.

Wherever you go at night, I'd urge you most strongly to get the brightest MF lights you can find and wear high-viz.
 

Thehooperman

Well-Known Forumite
You could go down St Leonard's to where Measurements used to be (roundabout at the bottom) and do a right along the footpath towards Baswich and either come back along the canal to the Lichfield Road or left and back via Two Waters Way, Tixall Road and Riverway.

Both routes are suitable on foot or on a bike.

Never had any problems walking around that area apart from occasional idiots under the Riverway bridge when that was a viable route into town.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
Not experienced any issues with the Isabel Trail but neither do I use it at night. If I wanted to get a workout on a bike at night somewhere halfway near KFC then I'd ride up to Wildwood and cycle round the perimeter road a few times. 1.6 miles per lap, lightly trafficked, a couple of climbs to get your heart rate going and always close enough to houses in the event of an emergency.

Wherever you go at night, I'd urge you most strongly to get the brightest MF lights you can find and wear high-viz.
The most likely person to cause you injury when cycling in the proper dark is probably yourself.

There are some very dark sections of the Isabel Trail, where decent lighting is essential, and glare from nearby lights that don't light the trail, but shine straight into your eyes, doesn't help.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
It might be worth reconnoitring any off-highway route in daylight first, if possible.

Brambles, etc., can be difficult to spot in the dark and there are often other potential problems that can be much more easily spotted in better visibility.

There was a period when the cycle path from Sandon Road to Common Road, alongside Beaconside, had a large number of head-high brambles, which made it virtually unusable in the dark, especially with oncoming headlights adding to the visibility issue. Further south along that route, there are lampposts in the path and dark green cable boxes in the middle of it.
 
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Zylo

Well-Known Forumite
Thanks for the ideas so far, the wildwood seems good as i'm not far away- and probably more safe could even do that as a jog thing too, great idea.

Canal too- although it wouldn't take that long on a bike doing that route I think I know what you mean, right up the steps down road again?? - if you go left over a bridge go into baswich and end up at the bridge to tixall road?

If anyone has info on old train line that'll be great too, thanks for everything so far though some great ideas.
 

Zylo

Well-Known Forumite
I might be worth reconnoitring any off-highway route in daylight first, if possible.

Brambles, etc., can be difficult to spot in the dark and there are often other potential problems that can be much more easily spotted in better visibility.

There was a period when the cycle path from Sandon Road to Common Road, alongside Beaconside, had a large number of head-high brambles, which made it virtually unusable in the dark, especially with oncoming headlights adding to the visibility issue. Further south along that route, there are lampposts in the path and dark green cable boxes in the middle of it.

I remember going down the canal and this happened near great haywood, the great bramble attack, my tyre's should be able to handle it but the problem was i didn't have em fully pumped up when i left.

So i ended up with a nice walk feeling like such a idiot while the boats went past, me walking with my bike from great haywood back to stafford... was a nice day mind you
 

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
I sometimes run down the isobel trail at night, and the old line to gnosall, both are damn dark! I've never had an issue with dodgy people, most are dodgy in the kind of way where they don't want attention either, I have a feeling at night the bridge under Stone Road is probably used for the selling of herbal medicine....

The line to gnosall has a lot less traffic than the isobel trail, simply because the trail is a handy shortcut within Stafford. It's about 9k from Martin Drive to Gnosall, and similar again to Newport. You'd want a very good light if cycling there (or head torch if running, I use a chest light as a fill too). I prefer to be able to see when running but with commuting to work it's impossible to run other than at weekends if I do that :(
 

Zylo

Well-Known Forumite
Thanks for that tek mate, exactly what I wanted to hear about the line to gnosall, I couldn't run there because i'd be knackered before I even got to the line! but on a bike it's very doable and something I can do on a "Rest day" and you can go as far or as little as you want there, I believe just will have to make the lights are all ready to go and charged up, maybe take a spare torch lol!
 

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
Thanks for that tek mate, exactly what I wanted to hear about the line to gnosall, I couldn't run there because i'd be knackered before I even got to the line! but on a bike it's very doable and something I can do on a "Rest day" and you can go as far or as little as you want there, I believe just will have to make the lights are all ready to go and charged up, maybe take a spare torch lol!
I used to regularly cycle to Gnosall for a pint in the summer, sometimes forgetting my lights and how to count pints making it an interesting ride home! Definitely take a spare, even a marker rather than a beam is better than nothing.

I've run to Gnosall and back once, from the common it's a half marathon back to castlefields and almost completely flat. I intend on using the route to Newport as a full marathon course when I improve, my aim is to run a real one by my 45th birthday although I'm yet to enter a 'real' event.

Beaconside is empty of people but oncoming cars blind you, I expect the route to stone would be the same. I'd certainly be avoiding road riding at night, lot of idiots out there.
 

Zylo

Well-Known Forumite
I used to regularly cycle to Gnosall for a pint in the summer, sometimes forgetting my lights and how to count pints making it an interesting ride home! Definitely take a spare, even a marker rather than a beam is better than nothing.

I've run to Gnosall and back once, from the common it's a half marathon back to castlefields and almost completely flat. I intend on using the route to Newport as a full marathon course when I improve, my aim is to run a real one by my 45th birthday although I'm yet to enter a 'real' event.

Beaconside is empty of people but oncoming cars blind you, I expect the route to stone would be the same. I'd certainly be avoiding road riding at night, lot of idiots out there.

Thanks for that, it sounds a very good place to train maybe eventually i'll be able to run down there to (probably will take to summer until I build some decent mileage and be able to get there and run down the line a fair bit)

For now I plan on running x5 a week (well a run/walk) and using my bike at the weekend, should be fine while the pubs are closed at least, when that changes i'll probably have to use the bike earlier in the day due to drunks i've banned myself from drinking until some point next year, it ruins my routine and I feel it for days after and have very little energy

But i'll defo give it a go this weekend and see how it goes, how far I go depends how much my legs are suffering from the week of running as i've only just got back into it and it's been a while...

Just been out for a run bit after 10, only saw one person who had the pleasure of seeing me suffer haha always worry about other people but when I get into it I don't pay attention, it's one of them things soon as you get out there you're fine.
 
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