More the weather than the route, I think, Tom but you're right in that I generally wouldn't recommend canal riding for general Audax purposes - points, etc. I suppose it depends where you are but the northern canals tend to be tough because of all the locks and tunnels. But there is an attraction in that there's so little motorised traffic. I hope to make a series of 200s using canals and rail tracks - I've even worked out a 400 (!) but they take a lot of research because it's not easy to ascertain what is rideable without actually getting out and trying it. The 400 is especially challenging to organise because I don't want the overnight section to be on any of our local canals. It's all hours on the bike, though!
Thanks again
Peter