Cycle Dublin to Kilkenny Questions

dario28

Hi ,

Im considering cycling Dublin to Kilkenny and looking for advice on the following

whats the roads like google suggests N81 N78


Mostly Hilly , flat ?

Is it a nice cycle , would it be worth it.

Wind on friday looks non existent but at worst Ease South East , could that make it a bit harder

Have done the Orwell 140 and Ring of Kerry so distance isnt an issue.

Anything I'd need to know ?

smacl

Personally, I'd tend to avoid the N roads and pick a nice route based on R roads (smaller) and L-roads (very small). It makes the trip a small bit longer, and throws you a few navigation tasks along the way, but IMO it makes for a far more enjoyable cycle. If I'm doing a long haul like this, I tend to use the cycle maps from bike route toaster, which will also graph the gradient. It also gives you a route sheet that you can print, and if you've a phone with some mapping app, getting seriously lost tends not to be a problem. In addition to avoiding main roads, I'd also recommending hitting villages reasonably regularly, as they break up the journey and give you a chance to restock on munchies (and ask for directions where required).

I haven't cycled to Kilkenny, but regularly cycle to New Ross, Carlow, and South Wexford, which are similar distances. Haven't ever had much problem with weather, other than you'll get all of it so bring a waterproof top. I really enjoy these longer point to point spins, so I'd say go for it. Had a problem with daylight last autumn, so start a bit early to allow for possible time lost. Also, check your spare tubes and pump before you leave, the middle of nowhere is a bad place to find out they're crap.

Captain Havoc

I've done it. Went out by Tallaght, Blessington, turn for Carlow before Rathvilly, Kilkenny. Nothing major of note, there's only two turns on the route, take a right from before Rathvilly to Carlow, in Carlow you take a left when you arrive at the Shamrock T-junction and then it's straight all the way to Kilkenny so no need for route maps

g0g

Did Carlow and back a few years ago over a weekend and enjoyed it. We went N81 and cut across the R726. I know it's an N-route most of the way, but it's a nice cycle despite being busy as far as Blessington. Beyond that it's quieter - sure it makes more sense for cars to head the M9 and cut across. Only climb of note is out of Tallaght on the N81 and even that isn't too bad. From there to Carlow is a gradual downhill. Also, on the Dublin-Carlow part of your journey you have Blessington and Baltinglass to break it into 3 nice sections. There's a nice cafe on the left of the road as you go through Baltinglass.

Good luck with the cycle!

road_high

The N78 is a decent road and would be fairly safe as regards cycling and quiter now thanks to the M9 bypassing much of it. Part of the old N78 between Kilcullen and Athy is closed at the moment in Co Kildare for works though.
Would be not a bad cycle betwn Dublin and Athy but between Athy and Castlecomer a lot of it is fairly uphill but down then into Kilkenny.
The Carlow way may be a little longer but probably flatter cycle. It's about 70 miles each way.

nilhg

Personally I'd much prefer to take the old N78 road, I don't really like the N81 out of Blessington down by Hollywood and on past the entrance to the Glen of Immal, it's tight enough and there's often plenty of traffic.

I think the works are now finished between Kilcullen and Athy so it's an option anyway.

goose06

Took this route early this year, mostly downhill

http://app.strava.com/rides/12278221