Best route from Heuston to Stephen's Green North?

giantracer

Hi,

I'm starting to commute soon on the train to Heuston.

Does anyone have any recommendations on what route to take from Heuston to Stephen's Green North?

Also, any ideas on where I could get a (very) cheap banger bike that I could lock up overnight at Heuston (so no one would nick it)?

Thanks very much.

TinyExplosions

Most straightforward route

72hundred

giantracer wrote: »

Hi,

I'm starting to commute soon on the train to Heuston.

Does anyone have any recommendations on what route to take from Heuston to Stephen's Green North?

It depends on how comfortable you are with heavy traffic. If not very, I'd say to avoid the quays as much as possible.

giantracer wrote: »

Also, any ideas on where I could get a (very) cheap banger bike that I could lock up overnight at Heuston (so no one would nick it)?

Thanks very much.

You've two options.
1) Buy a second hand bike that looks very rough.
2) Buy a new bike and make it look very rough. As in completely cosmetically destroy it.

And you'll need a very good lock or two. Securing frame and both wheels.

TBH I'd say leaving a bike a Heuston regularly will eventually lead to bits/whole bike stolen. But the chances can be minimalised with the above.

EDIT: Notes on how to wreck a bike here. http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055401033 -niceonetom .Although that one looks pretty cool with the paint gone.

Chips Lovell

TinyExplosions wrote: »

Most straightforward route

+1 That's the way I'd go.

SetOverSet

Not strictly legal, but if you wanna avoid the quays I'd head up Steeven's Lane --> James Street --> Thomas Street --> Christchurch --> Dame Street --> Right on to Trinity Street --> Sth. William Street --> Stephen's Green. Slightly shorter too.

blorg

+1 SetOverSet, I travel from Heuston through Stephen's Green (South) to Donnybrook often enough myself and always go up Steeven's Lane and along James Street myself, the traffic is quieter and there are a _lot_ less lights. The only illegal bit is the first 20m or so of Steeven's Lane, from then on it is actually a shared road/tram track. If you were extremely conscientious/anal you could walk the bike along that bit. There are signs up warning bikes about the tram tracks so it's not as if they don't realise a lot of cyclists use the route.

You don't have to use Dame Street and indeed I generally don't but if you do you can turn up by Dublin Castle and along the lane to avoid the no right turn at the bottom. map

giantracer

Thanks everyone, that's very useful. Much appreciated!

'68 Fastback

I live in inchicore and work on merrion square so apart from the steevens lane bit its the same commute. I'd turn right from Thomas st. onto Francis st. Left at the bottom, on to Kevins st. Cuffe st. Stephens green. Jobs a goodun!

Just saw Blorgs map...sorry for the repeat info!

72hundred

giantracer wrote: »

Thanks everyone, that's very useful. Much appreciated!

When are you going to start the commute?

If you're 9-5, with the evenings closing in, make sure you've high-viz top and lights (don't leave on bike overnight!). (and cycle defensively!)

giantracer

Hi 72hundred,

I'll be getting to Stephen's Green around 8.15 in the morning and leaving the green any time from 5.30 to 7 or so I expect to head back to Heuston.


Does that change any of the commute advice?

I’m not that used to cycling in traffic, so a safe route rather than a quick route would be what I’m after.

Thanks again.

mcgratheoin

makes traffic a little lighter at that hour, but I'd still go up the side of the brewery rather than along the quays.

72hundred

giantracer wrote: »

Does that change any of the commute advice?

I’m not that used to cycling in traffic, so a safe route rather than a quick route would be what I’m after.

If you're going to be out at those times I recommend good lights front and back and, as said before, don't leave them on the bike when parked.

If not used traffic go with this map, although you'll have to cycle a Luas only section as others have pointed out. (Watch the wheels in the tracks -> that can really fu^k up a wheel!)

Also for locking the bike, I use this Kyptonite Lock, pretty much as good as it gets. Somebody might get thru it, but only with alot of work. Also if its a cheap bike probably not worth the effort. Only thing is that its a little expensive at €70 or so, and a little heavy. (~2kg, I think)

Chips Lovell

I don't think cycling on the Luas tracks is ever a good idea. It runs outside my office and every second day you see some hapless punter pedalling furiously with the fear of God as the Luas looms behind them.

blorg

el tonto wrote: »

I don't think cycling on the Luas tracks is ever a good idea. It runs outside my office and every second day you see some hapless punter pedalling furiously with the fear of God as the Luas looms behind them.

Well the LUAS can wait, or if you were feeling considerate you could get up on the pavement to let the tram pass (note I am talking about a LUAS track on a public street here, a cyclist has a perfect right to use it.)

Chips Lovell

There's a great big sign at the bottom of the street barring access to all but trams.

SetOverSet

The only part of Steevens Lane actually closed to traffic is the 80m or so from St. Johns Rd./Heuston up to the gates of St. Patrick's Hospital. The rest, from the hospital gates up to James Sr. and vice versa is open to traffic. The luas has right of way over traffic coming out of the hospital and the there are traffic lights at the James St. end. If you were really concientious, you could walk that first stretch

Húrin

Steeven's Lane --> James Street --> Thomas Street --> Francis St > Kevin St > Cuffe St > Stephen's Green

on the way back it's the same, just substitute Meath St for Francis St (these are both one way)

that route avoids both the nightmares of Dame St and the quays and is quite direct. Kevin St is wide all the way so cars give plenty of leeway. Always brake at the end of Francis St and look out for headlights on the road to your right, because there is a blind corner.

el tonto wrote: »

There's a great big sign at the bottom of the street barring access to all but trams.

That means that only trams can travel in that direction, not that only trams can use the road. As long as you're going in the right direction down a one-way street it's legal.

Chips Lovell

Húrin wrote: »

That means that only trams can travel in that direction, not that only trams can use the road. As long as you're going in the right direction down a one-way street it's legal.

Which means that if you're going in the same direction as the tram, you shouldn't be there.

Sean02

Tiny and El Tonto with all due respects leave this one to the Dubs.

Chips Lovell

We are Dubs!

TinyExplosions

Sean02 wrote: »

Tiny and El Tonto with all due respects leave this one to the Dubs.

? I may not be a Dub, but I live just off Meath St, so know the route well as I often train in the Phoenix Park and come back along the quays... all I did was offer a route suggestion, but I guess that's not allowed any more?

Try this one OP, it's a good compromise too

blorg

Posted by infomatique on Flickr, click for bigger size

Ooh a car! See the short bit at the very bottom in a different colour? That is the only bit that is tram-only. If you are anal walk the bike on the footpath. Case closed. -1 Tonto +1 Rest of the World.

Chips Lovell

blorg wrote: »

Ooh a car! See the short bit at the very bottom in a different colour? That is the only bit that is tram-only. If you are anal walk the bike on the footpath. Case closed. -1 Tonto +1 Rest of the World.

1. I was referring to the Luas section outside my office, which does bar traffic. Seeing cyclists wobble along in front of trams has always looked dodgy, at least on this street. It's not like they can simply swing to the left to let the tram by.

2. If you think that having to wheel your bike part of the way up the street, remount, dodge the Luas tracks and cycle uphill with a tram coming up behind you is more convenient than simply going down the quays, fair enough.

blorg

el tonto wrote: »

1. I was referring to the Luas section outside my office, which does bar traffic. Seeing cyclists wobble along in front of trams has always looked dodgy, at least on this street. It's not like they can simply swing to the left to let the tram by.

Fair enough, I wouldn't condone cycling on the LUAS only sections.

2. If you think that having to wheel your bike part of the way up the street, remount, dodge the Luas tracks and cycle uphill with a tram coming up behind you is more convenient than simply going down the quays, fair enough.

It's only a few metres, and yes, I do think it is more convenient, indeed it is the route I take

72hundred

@OP:

So after all that, morale of the story is to go via the Luas place, but just get off and walk up the footpath, for 30 seconds!

mcgratheoin

seriously?? Does anyone actually walk those 30m?? Unless there's a tram in Heuston you'll be at the top before one is behind you and if there's one at Heuston just let it go ahead of you.

'68 Fastback

You could, if you're that worried about it, turn right out the side entrance of the station, left onto Military rd. onto Bow lane, pass the top of Steevens lane and continue on as before.

It would also appear, with all due respect, that Sean02 has left this to the people who actually had opinions on the matter. Nice one Sean.:D

Gavin

Perhaps Sean was attempting humour, but it backfired

TinyExplosions

Verb wrote: »

Perhaps Sean was attempting humour, but it backfired

Maybe... I still don't know what I did wrong in suggesting a route... was El_Tonto that was arguing, not me

72hundred

Wow who would have thought getting from Heuston to St. Green could get so heated. :rolleyes:

Maybe be easier to get the bus!

(Joking of course - least I get lynched by the Boardies)

Chips Lovell

Lengthy arguments about minor things is pretty much what the internet is for.

niceonetom

el tonto wrote: »

Lengthy arguments about minor things is pretty much what the internet is for.

i demand you back that claim up with extensive references.

and a graph of some sort.

'68 Fastback

I'd be happy with some statistics.

blorg

60-65%.

Raam

This graph shows the relationship between what you think a driver/cyclist is about to do versus what they actually do.

oobydooby

el tonto wrote: »

Lengthy arguments about minor things is pretty much what the internet is for.

...invented by academics for academics...

oobydooby

Raam wrote: »

This graph shows the relationship between what you think a driver/cyclist is about to do versus what they actually do.

Is this your latest attempt to navigate the southside?:)

(apologies if it wasn't you who got lost looking for a boards spin recently)

Raam

oobydooby wrote: »

Is this your latest attempt to navigate the southside?

(apologies if it wasn't you who got lost looking for a boards spin recently)

That was me alright.
My routes around the southside are much more random than that

vektarman

mcgratheoin wrote: »

seriously?? Does anyone actually walk those 30m?? Unless there's a tram in Heuston you'll be at the top before one is behind you and if there's one at Heuston just let it go ahead of you.

I walk down Steevens lane every morning and I haven't seen anyone with a bike walk that section yet, a lot of people simply cycle on the footpath all the way to the top of Steevens lane, I would know, I've to dodge them every morning:), I agree with Blorgs comment earlier, use the road and let the tram wait.

Sean02

Apologies, comment was mean in jest but I still maintain that any cyclist who would detour down the quays rather than the short hop up Stephen's Lane, and continue as the crow flys as described by other threads and clearly illustrated by Blorg must be a silver servant under no preasure of time.!! Don't undersand the backfired bit a bit of humor on a very dull forum is no harm.

Freewheeling Ed

Right , dont think it has been mentioned, but the only place to lock a bike around Heuston (apart from one or two lamposts, which are good if you like L-shaped wheels :-( ) is the bicycle park at the back of the station.
Not that convienent, as its a bit of walk, depending on what platform you get off at, but the only place really.

Have left a bike there a couple of times during the day, and once over night with no problems, but as with anywhere in Dublin a high quality lock is essential.

Would definitly recommend "against" spending a lot of money on a bike till you get sorted. Actually, the cheapest mountain bike (with an expensive lock) is probably just what you need.

otherwise, the quays are flat... but Steevens lane hill aint so bad, and Francise st would be my choice,

Orna

Good on you for hopping on the bike !

Buy something you won't miss if it gets stolen , ripped apart-- until you
figure out your best parking spots . smart parking is essential

Is there a bike park in the car park out the back of station?
could be under camera's whch would be slick !

Don't recommend the luas lane - have had to peel a mate of mine off luas lane mentioned above one night got her wheel stuck in track and head thumping - spin up the path i guess - up to James Street - thomas street - turn right at Jurys inn - turn left towards camden st and straight on - Stephen's Green N - you've at least 7 or 8 sets of traffic lights I guess.Defo quicker than the 90 into town or whatever number the bus is..

Up the quays - its only 2 miles to O'Connell Bridge

Try Buy and Sell -- your local tesco noticeboard --Pearse St garda
station have bike auctions regularly for your first bike-ex rental bikes are good to look at too .

HIGH VIS JACKET approx 3euro in most hardware shops - cheaper than lights which are around €20 and have to be taken off and carried all the time ..:rolleyes:

monument

Orna wrote: »

HIGH VIS JACKET approx 3euro in most hardware shops - cheaper than lights which are around €20 and have to be taken off and carried all the time ..:rolleyes:

Silly looking vests are not a replacement for lights.

Orna

Each to their own bud ! i feel safer wearing one , granted many think by sticking their backpack on top that they can be seen is missing the point of them ..

Do you Drive ? bet you would notice a high vis quicker than a little red light going through the city streets

Check out the garda bikes - they're not lit up - but for health and
safety at work they're wearing silly looking jackets

Neon is coming back in fashion don't ya know!!

how bout all the batteries that have to be dumped !!

monument

Orna wrote: »

Each to their own bud ! i feel safer wearing one

If you feel the need to wear one, the big question is why don't you get lights too? Is €20 or so and having to take the lights with you that much of a big deal if safety paramount?

Do you Drive ? bet you would notice a high vis quicker than a little red light going through the city streets

No, I don't drive, but flashing lights attract by attention -- and I think most people's -- more then silly yellow vests with reflective strips.

I've spotted a bike at night at the top of Steven's Lane from Parkgate Street on the other side of the river due to a "little light."

Sure, I'll admit I'm against the wearing of hi-vis full stop, but if you're so worry about safety you wear a silly looking yellow vest, getting lights are hardly going to kill you, or is it? Lights are a sure indication to other road users you're on the road, high-vis isn't and it's so common it's blurring into the background at this stage.

Check out the garda bikes - they're not lit up - but for health and
safety at work they're wearing silly looking jackets

Oh, yes they are. Garda bikes have light, and all the ones I've seen at night were using them.

Neon is coming back in fashion don't ya know!!

High-vis isn't.

Unless, maybe, you're spending too much time on building sites.

bout all the batteries that have to be dumped !!

You've never heard about rechargeable batteries? And before you say something about power sources, you can switch to Airtricty if you're really worried about that.

Orna

Each to their own as I said , no need to cut my post up like that because
you're so anti high vis !

YOU HAVE LIGHTS -I HAVE HIGH VIS

Tomayto -Tomatoe ... chalk-cheese


-unless the cops got lights for xmas i haven't seen them on ! and i travel both north and southside

I am very aware of rechargeables but how many don't !! Thanks for highlighting that matter.:)

niceonetom

Orna wrote: »

Each to their own as I said , no need to cut my post up like that because
you're so anti high vis !

YOU HAVE LIGHTS -I HAVE HIGH VIS

Tomayto -Tomatoe ... chalk-cheese

legal - illegal

sensible - foolish

you're right, you and the moderator you are baiting do have a different approach here.



let this thread die now. please?