Commuting Advice

Carb

Ok, here's my situation.

I commute from Monaghan everyday to the city centre. For the past two years I've taken the car to Dundalk and got the train to Connolly. Door to door, this takes 4hrs 20mins, which is excessive, but at this stage I'm use to it. My main reason for this is cost. The annual rail ticket through the taxsaver scheme works out very economical, and I end up with very little motoring costs.

The issue with the rail line has completely messed this up. Yesterday, my door to door time went past five hours, and that was with the morning running super smooth. I'm just waiting for the first wet morning or incident on he M1. With all sorts of timeframes been mentioned in relation to the repair of the rail line, I don't think I can face doing this for several months.

As somebody who wants to get involved in triathlons next year, I had been considering incorporating cycling into some of my commute, just hadn't intended it yet. I have been giving some consideration to driving to perhaps Adamstown for use of the NAC and cycling into the city centre from there, and perhaps 1/2 days per week cycle from further out, perhaps the Ashbourne direction, depending on quality of roads, ease of access etc.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the above. Does anyone come from these areas, what are the roads/cycle lanes etc like. Am I likely to come to an unhappy end. Any alternative suggestions. Two criteria that any route needs to meet are that I need to avoid tolls, and I need to abandon the car for free. For the longer spins, I can come from the Skerries/Rush area but I don't know anything about these roads as the M1 has always existed for me. The driving element will be around 5.30/6.00 in the morning so traffic shouldn't be an issue.

All opinions for or against welcome.

PS. It goes without saying thay I'm well aware that the weather is going to become more and more less favourable to cycling.

Jawgap

I started b driving the car to Airside Park in Swords and cycling from there.

The roads are fine but the bit around the airport just needs a bit of extra concentration. The main problem I'd have with the old N2 (Ashbourne Road) is that it's so straight which means (for me anyway) it's quite boring, but I'd imagine Ashbourne to Dublin would be quite doable - plenty of parking in the retail park there or on the main street - I'd stay out of Tesco I've seen them taking and checking number plates there.

I'd say parking in and around any of the commuter towns outside the M50 and cycling from there is doable in terms of the availability of free parking and time saved.

The other advantage I've found to using these towns is that if something catastrophic happens to the bike or the weather is pure minging then it's easy enough to swap to a bus.

Collumbo

First of all, fair play to you. I would go berserk in your situation and I realise how cushy I have it now.

You could just drive until you hit the crazy traffic, park there, and cycle in. It would be better obviously for your car etc if you could park in a reasonably safe car park some where in the suburbs and take it from there.

If it was me, I'd try to make it as far as Swords, park, change, into the city through Santry, Drumcondra. It's downhill much of the way from Santry to town, so add 5-10 minutes for getting back to your car. Start off very easy - no pressure on yourself. Build the confidence to be able to ride in Dublin traffic first. Once you've conquered that, commuting in Dublin by bike actually isn't the worst in the world (ok ok.... I see stupid things every day but not in mood to have a rant about it now :rolleyes: )

I am not sure what the back road is like nowadays for cycling from Swords and in towards Howth, but if it hasn't changed much, it wouldn't be my cup of tea... I've always found it a bit stressful with heavy traffic on that road.

Other option although I don't know if this is convenient for you: I cycle from Blanch to city centre every day. It's about 25-30 minutes + I have to change clothes and shower at work. If you want to make it a nice 11 or 12 mile ride, park in Clonee (ample parking there) and cycle in either through Ongar, Castleknock, Phoenix park (the best bit). Or, just cycle in the dual carriageway. I am not sure what traffic is like trying to get to Clonee though in the morning as I've never had to do it.

I don't envy you quite frankly.... good luck.

And get yourself lights and decent rain jacket

tomasrojo

Carb wrote: »

PS. It goes without saying thay I'm well aware that the weather is going to become more and more less favourable to cycling.

Winter isn't too bad for cycling overall. You do get the odd very bleak, windy, rainy day, but there are very few days in winter I wouldn't cycle. Snow, heavy ice or storm-force winds are probably the only conditions that would prevent me cycling.

I can't help you directly on the other matters. I did use to cycle from Lucan to Ballsbridge, which is a similar distance to what you're planning, I think. I found that very doable, but a bit time-consuming, twice a day.

Collumbo

Jawgap wrote: »

I started b driving the car to Airside Park in Swords and cycling from there.

The roads are fine but the bit around the airport just needs a bit of extra concentration. The main problem I'd have with the old N2 (Ashbourne Road) is that it's so straight which means (for me anyway) it's quite boring, but I'd imagine Ashbourne to Dublin would be quite doable - plenty of parking in the retail park there or on the main street - I'd stay out of Tesco I've seen them taking and checking number plates there.

I'd say parking in and around any of the commuter towns outside the M50 and cycling from there is doable in terms of the availability of free parking and time saved.

The other advantage I've found to using these towns is that if something catastrophic happens to the bike or the weather is pure minging then it's easy enough to swap to a bus.

there you go - someone actually did the Swords thing...

Jip

Carb wrote: »

I have been giving some consideration to driving to perhaps Adamstown for use of the NAC and cycling into the city centre from there, and perhaps 1/2 days per week cycle from further out, perhaps the Ashbourne direction, depending on quality of roads, ease of access etc.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the above. Does anyone come from these areas, what are the roads/cycle lanes etc like. Am I likely to come to an unhappy end. Any alternative suggestions. Two criteria that any route needs to meet are that I need to avoid tolls, and I need to abandon the car for free.

Where in the city are you trying to get to ? The most direct route from the NAC is down the N3 but at the moment that's not great due to the roadworks at the M50 junction. And when you get past that there's no much in the way of bus lanes past the Halfway House, you'll basically be sharing a bus lane all the way into the city. A much more pleasant alternative is from the NAC, through Blanchardstown and Castleknock Villages and through the Phoenix Park. There's plenty of bike lanes there and even Chesterfield is grand for cycling bar the ever increasing amount of potholes. Then you can either head down the quays or cut up by Kilmainham and down the canal.

Lumen

The NAC isn't in Adamstown, it's near Blanch.

Anyway, maybe consider driving to the NAC and cycling into town from there via Castleknock and Phoenix Park. Then you can get your cycling and swimming done - the 50m pool is great.

The only slight flaw is the security of the NAC carpark. I had my car and roofbox broken into about 4 years ago, along with a few others in the same incident. Several thousand euros of damage. I think they may have improved security since then, but I'm not sure I'd want my car there all week (if they even allow it).

tomasrojo

Another option you might consider is getting a folding bike and using buses for sections of the journey. Not sure how time-consuming that would be, as I've never tried it, but you could park in one of the commuter towns outside the M50 and cycle to a good bus route, get a bus into a reasonably convenient part of the city centre, and then cycle to the office.

petethedrummer

Carb wrote: »

. I have been giving some consideration to driving to perhaps Adamstown for use of the NAC and cycling into the city centre from there, and perhaps 1/2 days per week cycle from further out, perhaps the Ashbourne direction, depending on quality of roads, ease of access etc.

Ashbourne to City Centre is about 22km each way and there's a fair few on this forum doing that kind of distance everyday. I was, until I work moved me to Newbridge.

I presume you mean the NAC in Blanchardstown. Which is about 12 kms.

I would consider using the Markewicz on your days off from cycling, rather than the NAC, but its down to what makes more logistical sense. My commute is now Newbridge to Dublin one way on Mon, Wed and Fri. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I go (sort of) swimming.

Have a look at these for an idea of whats possible:
http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055657421
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055635206

Lumen

petethedrummer wrote: »

I would consider using the Markewicz on your days off from cycling, rather than the NAC

I've heard that it's full of sturdy looking blokes with no sense of lane discipline. Although the NAC also suffers a little from this the offenders are weedier so my strategy of swimming into them as fast as possible carries less chance of a beating.

petethedrummer

Lumen wrote: »

I've heard that it's full of sturdy looking blokes with no sense of lane discipline. Although the NAC also suffers a little from this the offenders are weedier so my strategy of swimming into them as fast as possible carries less chance of a beating.

The lane discipline is grand. I'm not the fastest swimmer in the world (I may well be the slowest), so its grand for my standard. The lessons are pretty good too, I can do more than one length now! (I should never have challenged my mate to a triathlon).


@OP, for the distances you are going to cover I would get a road bike, if you don't already own one.

Carb

Firstly, thanks for all the replies. You are on the ball this morning.

I'll try an address most of the points made.

In relation to the Swords retail park option, I had actually considered this but I'm trying to avoid the M1 if at all possibe. I know I can cut across from the N2, but this mightn't be great from a time point of view. I wouldn't rule it out completely if I could sort out swimming.

In relation to Asbourne, I would be happy enough with this distance (not everyday at first however), although I'm sure I'd feel it in the legs for a while. What sort of the condition is the old N2. Is it hard shoulder all the way to the M50? Would I get lost in a crater?

In relation to NAC/Blanch etc, (oops Abbotstown), the main attraction here is the 50 metre pool, membership costs, and the proximity to the city. It's not the easiest one for me to get too, but I think it's doable. I hadn't really expected to leave the car at the NAC, but thought there may be other places locally that the car could be abandoned. It's a POS old fiesta, so I'm hoping there may not be that much novelty in vandalising it. Am I been naive about the car/area.

Petethedrummer - Regarding Markievicz, do you use this pool. What's it like. It does suit me from a location point of view, just not sure what way I'd schedule it yet.

Folding bike wouldn't really work as this would still leave me with a substantial motoring cost and I'd still have public transport to pay for. Truth be told, I want to get away from the lack of flexibility with public transport.

BTW, for those that asked, I work along the quays (D2), Sean O'casey bridge area.

Onve again, thanks for all the replies. Thankfully after this week, I'm on annual leave for two weeks which will give me time to weigh up all my options.

Lumen

btw, NAC membership for swim and gym is now forty-something euro a month at corporate rate (I just joined). Bargain. They don't need any evidence of your corporateness, and you can cancel with one month's notice after the first two months (recent change in Ts & Cs).

Regarding the car park, I'd call them and ask whether there have been any incidents recently and whether they're happy for you (as a member) to leave your car there. I think it's probably now safer than the surrounding area, as I think they have a security guy walking around the carpark regularly (but check this).

Jip

Carb wrote: »

It's a POS old fiesta, so I'm hoping there may not be that much novelty in vandalising it. Am I been naive about the car/area.

I think you are, a car like this would be much more desirable from the point of view of the local scum as they're easier to steal or break into.

Carb

petethedrummer wrote: »

@OP, for the distances you are going to cover I would get a road bike, if you don't already own one.

Thats a sore point at the moment. I bought a bike about 4 weeks ago. After weighing up the type of training I intended doing, the roads I intended using and the fact that in Spring next year I could get a road bike for some commuting, I bought a TT specific bike. Obviously that plan is f***ed up now. Apparently work is binging in the bike scheme in November, so I might be able to get my hands on another bike then. But for the moment I'm stuck with what I have, especially given the money I'll need to spend on gear if I do this.

petethedrummer

Carb wrote: »

Petethedrummer - Regarding Markievicz, do you use this pool. What's it like. It does suit me from a location point of view, just not sure what way I'd schedule it yet.

25ms which is alright for me as an intermediate swimmer, maybe not for an expert. There are segregated lanes. worth a look.

Hungrycol

For that crazy commute get yourself a motorbike.

Lumen

Jip wrote: »

I think you are, a car like this would be much more desirable from the point of view of the local scum as they're easier to steal or break into.

One strategy is to just leave it unlocked with the glove compartment empty and open. Not appropriate for overnight stays for obvious reasons.

Jawgap

Carb wrote: »

In relation to Asbourne, I would be happy enough with this distance (not everyday at first however), although I'm sure I'd feel it in the legs for a while. What sort of the condition is the old N2. Is it hard shoulder all the way to the M50? Would I get lost in a crater?

The old N2 is not the worst road in the area, but it's not the best either. A few tasty potholes on it, but also some decent stretches of tarmac - in other words fairly typical of Irish roads.

Given where you're working what about taking out membership in the gym at Trinity College? Great facility and fairly cheap - they still have a few public memberships available.

Carb

Jawgap wrote: »

The old N2 is not the worst road in the area, but it's not the best either. A few tasty potholes on it, but also some decent stretches of tarmac - in other words fairly typical of Irish roads.

Given where you're working what about taking out membership in the gym at Trinity College? Great facility and fairly cheap - they still have a few public memberships available.

I thought the road might be like that alright.

Thanks for the heads up on the gym. I checked their website only a couple of weeks ago and it said public membership was not available. I'll make enquiries.

Carb

Hungrycol wrote: »

For that crazy commute get yourself a motorbike.

I'd be lying if I said that thought hadn't entered my head over the past couple of years.:)

Carb

Thanks to the tipoff from Jawgap, I''m signing up to TCD's gym today. As good and as cheap as the NAC is, I would have found it a little daunting given the standard of my swimming.

So now regarding the commute. I'll be driving up the N2 which leaves me with three options that I'm aware of. Turnoff for Ratoath and head for Clonee/Blanch, head for Ashbourne and cross over to Swords, or continue past Ashbourne and find somewhere else to leave the car.

My preference is max of 15km initially each way as I'm new to cycling and my bike is probably not ideal.

I'm not overly familiar with the area, but now that I can set a little more criteria, can anyone that knows these areas add to the suggestions above.

07Lapierre

I'd suggest heading for Ashbourne, along the Rathbeale Road to Rolestown. In the village of Rolestown there is parking and the cycle from there into the city centre isn't too bad. The Rathbeale road can be busy, but your only on it for a kilometer or two, before you can turn right and head around to the back of the airport. From there you can head towards either Santry or Finglas and make your way into town. Best of luck with it.

blorg

petethedrummer wrote: »

25ms which is alright for me as an intermediate swimmer, maybe not for an expert. There are segregated lanes. worth a look.

I have found swimming in 25m pools very frustrating, you have barely pushed off one end before you are flipping over the other... Haven't swum really this year as the weather was condusive to cycling but I used to be a member of Glenalbyn in Stillorgan which is 33m. The extra bit of length really makes a huge difference. 50m in the NAC would be even better. Especially if you are training for a triathlon where you are going to be going non-stop with no pushing off the ends! Just my 2c.

petethedrummer

My swimming is so rubbish it doesn't matter what size of pool I'm in.

Carb

Me too, if only you seen the gasping and splashing that goes on at 15/20m. Nevermind the idea of flipping. I suspect if will be a while bofore a 25m pool holds me back.

Thanks for the suggestion regarding Rolestown. Never even heard of the place before. What sort of parking is available? Is it just along the side of the street/retail parK?

07Lapierre

Carb wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestion regarding Rolestown. Never even heard of the place before. What sort of parking is available? Is it just along the side of the street/retail parK?

On street parking, but its very quiet. Drive there some day first and you'll see what I mean. From Ashbourne, take the Rathbeale Road to Swords. Once on this road, after the 2nd Crossroads, theres a school on the left. After the scholl about 100yards, theres a turn left into Rolestown village. Opposite the church there are a few parking spaces and it a wide street so i doubt you'll have any problems.

I'd recommend driving the route first, so your familiar with the road before you cycle. Cheers