Dublin to Leixlip?

Dandelion6

Hi, I have to go out to Leixlip and was wondering what's the safest way to cycle there and back, and how long it would take from Parkgate Street? Would be an evening cycle.

Thanks

twinsen

I was cycling this way for over a year. You have only 2 choices.
1st: N4 all the way, quick but very loud
2: via chapelizod ,strawberry beds,lucan, quiet smooth cycle, except chapelizod hill. Make sure you have a proper light there, as it is very dark over there.
Time depending on the bike: on the hybrid it used to take me 35 minutes, on a roadabike less than 30

Hope this helps

mp31

twinsen wrote: »

I was cycling this way for over a year. You have only 2 choices.
1st: N4 all the way, quick but very loud
2: via chapelizod ,strawberry beds,lucan, quiet smooth cycle, except chapelizod hill. Make sure you have a proper light there, as it is very dark over there.
Time depending on the bike: on the hybrid it used to take me 35 minutes, on a roadabike less than 30

Hope this helps

I'm planning to start commuting to/from Maynooth (once I can cycle 30km and maintain an average speed of around 25km/h without collapsing).
Is that route along the N4 the fastest route to take?
I take it that I can only go as far as the N4 junction with the R148 (signposted Leixslip) . At that point the N4 becomes the M4 which is a no-go for bikes.

carthoris

twinsen wrote: »

2: via chapelizod ,strawberry beds,lucan, quiet smooth cycle, except chapelizod hill.

Cutting through the Phoenix park avoids the hill which is difficult at busy times. But with the road works in Phoenix Park at the moment that might not be an option.

rp

mp31 wrote: »

I'm planning to start commuting to/from Maynooth (once I can cycle 30km and maintain an average speed of around 25km/h without collapsing).
Is that route along the N4 the fastest route to take?
I take it that I can only go as far as the N4 junction with the R148 (signposted Leixslip) . At that point the N4 becomes the M4 which is a no-go for bikes.

Yeah, that's my commute, the N4 is pretty direct and easy. There are a couple of places where you want to figure out your strategy: the off-ramps at Newcastle rd, Ballyowen rd and Fonthill - I see a lot of cyclist either the leave the road and rejoin or use a 'box-turn', but I don't find that safer.

The M50 junction can be daunting, both ways, but looking for a gap and getting out of the bus lane earlier works for me.

After that its plain sailing, always stationary traffic backed-up at the Palmerstown lights, and a good bus lane most of the way in from there.

Oh yeah, and be prepared for motorists honking you for riding on a 'motorway'.

Seaswimmer

plenty of advice here on routes...

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=74656984

seven stars

This is my commute as well, although I'm fairly new to it.

rp wrote: »

or use a 'box-turn', but I don't find that safer.

What's a box-turn? My strategy is to look for a break in the traffic, or else eyeball drivers until someone lets me across the slip road.

rp wrote: »

After that its plain sailing, always stationary traffic backed-up at the Palmerstown lights, and a good bus lane most of the way in from there.

I've got a related question in a new thread about the dangers of cycling in heavy traffic on the N4.

rp

seven stars wrote: »

TWhat's a box-turn? My strategy is to look for a break in the traffic, or else eyeball drivers until someone lets me across the slip road.

I'm probably abusing the term box-turn (see this thread), but what I mean is staying left at the exit, and waiting until its clear and crossing back on to the main carriageway, or to pass an on-ramp, crossing the joining road at 90 degrees and rejoining the main carriageway. I think Franklin recommends the latter, but I've never felt in danger while dealing with the joining traffic.