Been struggling a lot with injuries this year which has curtailed the running quite a bit. I've still been able to get out on the road bike though and maintained some semblence of fitness by commuting to work. With this in mind, I'm thinking of dropping the amount of fell/trail running I've been doing (yes really!) and spending more time on the bike but taking in more off-road routes. I'd like to get something suitable for commuting (which for me is canal towpath, road and some gravel paths) and also be a bit more adventurous and get out on my local hills and bridalways.
I'm thinking the best way to go would be a cyclo-cross bike but there's a lot of choice out there. I don't need anything too snazzy but would prefer disk brakes and capable of mounting mud guards.
Does anyone have any recommendations for entry level bikes preferably less than £1000.