How to enjoy Regent's Canal

Built on the first half of the 19th Century, in the Victorian glory, it flows through from the Grand Union Canal to the river Thames. 13 locks level its water along a 13 km long line.
It was designed for water transport what led to the construction of several warehouses on their sides. It was not made for Outdoor activities!

Along with the revitalization of the Docklands and East London, this canal has become a hub for leisure and urban life. Indeed, one can practice cycling, strolling, jogging or canoeing. A lovely place to enjoy landscapes, take beautiful photographs and even dare to cross through the locks (not very recommendable). The whole Canal feels like a real breach in the concrete jungle. It has a Victorian decadent charm, with many other canals ending up in it and many bridges crossing it upon, specially around Victoria Park.

In the summer the flora of the canal becomes greener, and around one finds lots of plants and trees. The fauna is varied, Swans, other birds, and I guess fish, but I don't have the pleasure. I always find people sitting by fishing but I don't want to know what they do with their catches. There are active efforts for natural conservation and I think they have done a great job. Also there are cultural activities such as the floating market in Mile End.
Among its attractions I recommend the Ragged School museum, slightly before Johnson's lock, which shows a Victorian east End school. It opens Wednesdays and Thrusdays from 10am to 5pm, and between 2pm and 5pm on the first Sunday of each month. After that, you can visit Mile End ecology Park, which is very well taken care of and a perfect pace to relax and meditate.

The human fauna is bio-diverse too. One finds around mostly William Borroughs-inspired hypsters and self-allegedly artists. Also a trendier sub-species of hypster is found, you'll recognize him by his Rayban's if it is a bright day. You can also find young professionals, healthy educated joggers, South Asian wannabe-mafiosos, Muslim and non-muslim couples and several drunks, especially at the junction with Mile End Road. But the most sedentary population are the members of the boating community. You find these lazing on a weekday afternoon on the deck of their boats, playing guitar, smoking rolling fags and dreaming on a better world?

Some helpful tips:
-If you want to enjoy the Canal for outdoor activities, avoid peak time at around 6pm where everybody uses it.
-Avoid using the Canal on Saturdays after 12, specially around broadway Market in Hackney.
-Remember, there is no fence that prevents you from falling to the water, in which case you should seek medical advice.
-There are no well established lanes, and people do not know whether they should walk on the right or left side. This leads to annoyed faces and stress, which is the opposite of what we came to the Canal for.
-When the canal goes under bridges, which are usually arched, there is a narrow space to walk through, and if you are relatively tall you need to crouch a bit
-The best time to use Regent's canal is early in the morning. There is usually a very charming and fresh morning fog.
-Some unconsciously antisocial cyclists love to play Mark Cavendish in the Canal, regardless the amount of people using it. If you consider too violent to push them towards the water, please kindly remind them of how dangerously fast they ride.
-Perfect for bohemian night adventures. But do it with nothing valuable on your pockets, and a pepper spray if you are a dame.

Enjoy