How do I get to Dublin city Centre from the N7?

michaelm

I'm planning to cycle from Nenagh in Tipp to Dublin in the next two weeks or so. It is exactly 100 miles and as a kid this was always an exciting journey for me by car or by train. For some reason which I can't really explain I now want to do it by bike. My route will take me along the N7 as far as Portlaoise where I will continue through Monastervin, Kildare, Newbridge and Naas. As I want to go the city centre I would like to know what people would suggest as the best route from Naas so as to avoid difficult roundabouts etc?

uberwolf

this is a left field response, and I'm sure adds a few miles.
but if you're really wary of roundabouts, then the N81 all the way from Naas? (or even cut up Belgard Road from the N7)

the coldcut would be another non M50 roundabout option.

OP, please consider that if you're not a regular cyclist, you will be shattered by the end of this spin, and will have reduced reaction speed, and your ability to accelerate will be largely gone - so you need a very gentle route.

ROK ON

Hi. Depends on where in Dublin that you want to head to so I give 2 potential routes.

(1) Northside: Naas Sallins right turn for Straffan, Straffan to Celbridge to Lucan to Palmerstown Chapelizod and then Phoenix Pk.

(2) Southside: Naas Johnstown Kill Rathcoole Saggart Tallaght Dublin. Alternatively can head from Saggart to Brittas and over Bohernabreena, for a fantastic descent into Templeogue.
This route actually travels parallen to the N7 on quiet country roads for much of the way, and is a lovely cycle in and of itself.

fletch

Once you hit the M50, this route gets you into the city centre quite quickly, I do it once a week and it's fine, pretty much cycle lane all the way.

michaelm

Thanks for the replies folks - have to admit I had overlooked the fact that the M7 actually starts/finishes just outside Naas, was thinking of it as a motorway as far as the Red Cow. That makes things much simpler.

blorg

I would avoid the N7 as much as possible, especially the bits where the M7 is not completed. It is just not going to be pleasant. Find a route on regional and local roads. Google Maps "walking" directions are great for this and then you can tweak.

Here's a suggestion that uses Google walking Nenagh-Dublin and I have just routed you off the N7 into Dublin

Ant

If you're using a MTB, hybrid or cyclocross bike, you could also go via the Grand Canal towpath and avoid the roads altogether. It's a much more pleasant - though less speedy - way to travel. Coming from Nenagh, you could first join it at Monasterevin. It passes through most of the towns between there and Naas. If you wait until you get to Naas, there's a spur which brings you up to Sallins where you can join the Grand Canal. The one problem is that they're currently doing some work on the towpath between Clondalkin and Inchicore, so you'd have to rejoin the roads when you get to the 9th lock.

petethedrummer

Ant wrote: »

they're currently doing some work on the towpath between Clondalkin and Inchicore, so you'd have to rejoin the roads when you get to the 9th lock.

They've got the tarmac down, looks pretty close to completion.

Also does anyone know how to get from the Bus Lane on the Naas Road across the new Red Cow interchange via the cycle lane?

I was cycling up from Newbridge to Dublin t'other day and I could see the cycle path running through the middle, but for the life of me I couldn't figure out how to get to it. Is it in by the Park and Ride? I had a look there, but couldn't see it.

Húrin

michaelm wrote: »

I'm planning to cycle from Nenagh in Tipp to Dublin in the next two weeks or so. It is exactly 100 miles and as a kid this was always an exciting journey for me by car or by train. For some reason which I can't really explain I now want to do it by bike. My route will take me along the N7 as far as Portlaoise where I will continue through Monastervin, Kildare, Newbridge and Naas. As I want to go the city centre I would like to know what people would suggest as the best route from Naas so as to avoid difficult roundabouts etc?

Do not use the N7 or M7. It is a busy road and thus your cycle will probably not be an enjoyable one and if it rains it could even be dangerous. A lot of trucks use it. Take blorg's advice and use back roads. It will require more attention to the map along the way but it will be worth it.

michaelm

Húrin wrote: »

Do not use the N7 or M7. It is a busy road and thus your cycle will probably not be an enjoyable one and if it rains it could even be dangerous. A lot of trucks use it.

Excellent point and never more applicable than this summer, thanks

connie_c

for flat go with the route from naas to sallins and clane and then celbridge and into lucan,

for hills there is a nice route if you get to "the ball" in naas follow the road to johnstown,and then to kill. after kill follow the road as it runs parrallell to the n7. its easy to see what i mean when you are there. keep following the parrallell road until it turns away to the right after kill. take a left on this road after you go through the roadabout and it will take you over lots off hills into the back of rathcoole. from rathcoole go to saggart and then into town via tallaght.

Its easy to see this route on google maps.

dont try taking the canal route from naas. its lovely but with the grass growth at this time of year it may take you a few days. Its not paved anywhere between sallins and celbridge i dont think.