Ticknock Via Public Transport With Bike?

DaveyDave

OK this might be a bit of an absurd idea but I was thinking would it be possible to get to Ticknock with a bike on public transport? I was thinking I could get a bike bag and just take the wheels off, it shouldn't be too much hassle getting around if it's sort of flat packed or am I just being unrealistic?

My MTB isn't getting used and I'm unemployed so would like to make use of my free time. I don't have a lift to Ticknock at weekends and I live in Lucan so cycling there is out of the question.

The next idea I could think of is getting a bike bag then hopping on the bus to town then the Luas or another bus. The only problem I've thought of is what to do with the bike bag once I'm there...

What do you guys think, is it possible? Is there any other options?

Diarmuid

DaveyDave wrote: »

My MTB isn't getting used and I'm unemployed so would like to make use of my free time. I don't have a lift to Ticknock at weekends and I live in Lucan so cycling there is out of the question.

Is there any other options?

Yes. Get on the bike and pedal over there. You're only coming from Lucan and you have plenty of free time!

smacl

Google maps shows about 21k from Lucan to Ticknock, so in around an hour on an MTB, maybe a bit more with traffic but not much. Even if you could get public transport, its going to take you just as long if not longer, cost you money, and involve a lot of faffing about. Alternatively, have a look around for some trails nearer home.

DaveyDave

After posting about the bike bag now cycling doesn't seem like such a bad idea. I was just thinking back to when I was commuting on low profile knobbly tyres and got punctures just thinking about them and I was concerned about having to do 20km back after a lot of riding but then I suppose if I take it easy getting there it shouldn't be a problem. I tend to go as fast as possible from A to B when commuting but since I can show up whenever I want I guess I could go at a leisurely pace.

I'll swap tyres around and try it out later today or tomorrow. Now it doesn't sound so bad afterall. It'd definitely be a lot cheaper and quicker cycling, the long times on public transport are one of the reasons I cycle afterall.

wotdef

Took me 50mins to get to college lane from clonsilla. Just pump the tyres up well and when you get over reduce the pressure a bit. Extra miles=extra training. You could always cycle over to hellfire and masseys as well.

Tenzor07

As posted above, cycle there, the extra millage will improve your fitness too..

michael196

I leave Grange castle business park, frequently on a road bike to get to the top of ticknock ( masts) then back to Grange castle.

40 minutes in traffic from grange castle to taylors

accross to the N81, tallaght-oldbawn-grange road ( by marley park) -

STI V5

I leave the city-west area 2-3 times a week on a hard-tail takes no time at all to get over to ticknock !! Lash around for another 3 hours and then just cruise home .. once u do it on a regular basis you'll be grand !! It will build your fitness in no time and you will be well warmed up by the time u get to the foot of the mountain .. It would be at least 2 hours monkeying around on public transport to get anywhere close to ticknock and then u still have to lug the bike bag around . U will do it in on the bike in half that time to the masts . Just bring a camelbak,multitool,powerlink,spare tube,puncture repair kit,tyre levers and decent pump . These are all vital if u dont want a savage walk home :eek: Goodluck !!

DaveyDave

So I swapped the tyres around and cycled down yesterday no problem. Well, almost. Got a flat 10 minutes out the door as I passed the Garda station in Clondalkin. Once I'm past Clondalkin glass isn't really an issue. I go down Walkinstown Avenue, St. Peter's Road to Ballyroan Road, Grange Road then over the M50. I was going to go up Ticknock Road then down Kellystown Road but there was a crazy fog so I turned back. It's actually a nice cycle, roads are nice and wide and the bike lanes are smooth if I feel like slowing down and getting off the road.

I'll bring more than one spare tube when going there though. I don't know why I thought it would be such a problem. The only issue is the odd puncture but even my heavy puncture resistant tyres get more punctures than I'd like. There's a noticeable vibration on the MTB tyres but it's not an issue, unlocking the fork helps of I want it to stop.

I do 40km 3-5 days a week to town and back, I think I'll switch to Ticknock now, getting tired of cycling down the Quays and nearly getting hit and having to avoid pedestrians and the Ticknock route has more climbs and it'll help me learn the route so I won't be checking my phone every 5 minutes. I'll also have new segments to improve on Strava

Just need a helmet now then I'm sorted once it's not too foggy

michael196

Cycling from grange castle business park on the nangor road, so much glass.... puncture after puncture for me. Never again on the nangor road.

now its the nangor new road to the outer ring R 138, to talaght N81, to old bawn , to scholarstown, to grange and up to taylors, up kellystown , into the forest , right up to the masts then down ticknock and around again .


3 times on that loop is 1000 meters of climbing,

fog wont hurt u !!! at all !!