Great Western Coffee Shop

I have met some not overly friendly people on canal tow paths but not to this extent:
https://road.cc/content/news/drunk-claims-right-way-and-hurls-racist-abuse-towpath-289475 (https://road.cc/content/news/drunk-claims-right-way-and-hurls-racist-abuse-towpath-289475)
thankfully.
Not your usual sort of user on the canal path between Bradford-on-Avon and Trowbridge?

I've never had any bad experiences on the K&A or any other towpath. At least, no worse than grumpy anglers grudgingly moving their fishing poles. Not to say that such experiences never happen, but they've never happened to me. I think a lot depends on time of day as well as setting; a neglected urban canal at midnight is probably not a wise choice, the same path during the day might be very pleasant.

I've never had a serious problem of that sort, but I have had some problems on the few occasions I've ridden that particular section. It is a particularly narrow section and has thick vegetation along the 'off side' (ie away from the canal) which makes you feel quite insecure if you do meet anyone who wishes to be obstructive. I do remember having to walk my bike for several minutes as a group ahead of me refused to make room for me to pass, and I wasn't prepared to argue it with them, given that there was no escape route should they have turned aggressive, which felt likely. If going that way now, i.e. between Bradford on Avon and Trowbridge, I always cycle along the main road, which is generally fine (and does have a cyclepath of sorts for those who feel nervous of the traffic).

The towpath on the eastern side of the Exeter Ship Canal just to the north of the swing bridges can occasionally be hazardous in the spring if any of the numerous swans decide to build their nest on the canal bank; woe betide anybody - cyclist or pedestrian - who gets too close to any cygnets.

This happens on the Grand Western too. Closer to Tiverton, the swans are generally fairly tolerant. The closer you get to Holcombe Rogus, the friendlier they aren't. Happily, the same is not true of the people.

I once encountered a swan seemingly trying to sleep on the towpath of the Sharpness canal. I decided to get off my bike and tiptoe round it. It allowed me to do this but when I was a couple of metres past it, I looked back at it – and this roused its anger! It then held up the people behind me for quite some time.

I had cause to twice pass the same swan in resting mode last November on the towpath of the Stroudwater canal between Stroud and Brimscombe.  To say it was dismissive of me is something of an understatement, it demeanour was closer to that of distain.

i nearly got run into by a cyclish on the Ashton flight in Brum. I was lock wheeling when this guy came raoring down the towpath just as I was walking up to the next lock. Having just missed me me he stopped and swore at me. Fortunately I was carrying awindlas.

Some great pubs round there, I agree.

(Aston ;D )