Commuting route Firhouse-Ballycoolin/blanch. Any suggestions ?

coba

Hi,
I'm thinking of cycling to work from the Firhouse area to Ballycoolin (aquatic center would be the closest place people would know).
I used the dto cycle planner and its throwing up a route that takes 90-100 minutes.
Long shot, but has anyone tried this journey before? Any suggestions for the shortest or easiest route?
Thanks
Colm

seamus

The Liffey Valley is a pinch point there so you don't really have any direct routes.

You can go up the outer ring road to Lucan, then across Strawberry beds into Blanch.

Or you can go through Templeogue - Ballyfermot - Palmerstown and into Blanch from that side.

I would opt for the latter, how long it takes will depend on how fast you're going. I'd say about an hour.

coba

Cheers Seamus. Yeh I don't like the sound of the strawberry beds route, big hill I think.
Templeogue - Ballyfermot - Palmerstown and into Blanch sounds better. Palmerstown to Blanch would mean cycling on the N3 right? I'll have to check that bit out, as its a fairly hairy road, around the m50 flyover and beyond. Thanks for the tip.
Id be doing well to do it in 1hr, and guess i'll have to trade up to a lighter/more suitable bike.( I think I'll post up my current bike for sale in the relevant forum here)
Good forum here btw,
Hope i can get myself revved up enough to tackle the trip to work!

Lumen

I would probably get on the R112, up through Chapelizod, through Castleknock, past the west end of Blanch centre and over the N3.

The only hill is the short sharp one out of Chapelizod, but that's over in a few seconds.

coba

Cheers Lumen. I'll break out google maps to look at this option too.

Turbulent Bill

Lumen wrote: »

I would probably get on the R112, up through Chapelizod, through Castleknock, past the west end of Blanch centre and over the N3.

The only hill is the short sharp one out of Chapelizod, but that's over in a few seconds.

Which hill? The only one I can think of is Knockmaroon Hill, and that's a bit more than short and sharp.

I'd follow roughly the same route, but go in the Chapelizod gate of the Park after crossing the Liffey. It's a long gradual drag as far as Castleknock village, then downhill through Blanch village to Ballycoolin.

Lumen

Turbulent Bill wrote: »

Which hill? The only one I can think of is Knockmaroon Hill, and that's a bit more than short and sharp.

Ah, it's not that bad. Quick up and out of the saddle.

Turbulent Bill

Lumen wrote: »

Ah, it's not that bad. Quick up and out of the saddle.

It is if you're just starting, maybe enough for a beginner to throw in the towel (the OP doesn't sound that experienced).

OP, I'd suggest going through the Park first to get used to the bike, then go up Knockmaroon Hill if you want a bit more of a challenge. Going down the hill on the way to Firhouse is good fun though...

coba

Cheers bill, lumen and seamus. I used to cycle into town and back for work 2 years ago, but, I'm rusty now and looking at longer twistier route(s) /options this time around. Pity we cant use the M50 hard shoulder!