Cycling the commute from Enfield to Dublin

Ms Tootsie

Just wondering if anyone here does the Enfield - Dublin commute on the bike? I was thinking of starting to cycle in and getting the Kearns bus home in the evenings. Just curious about how long it would take? Also does anyone know if it is possible to do it along the canal? I know I can't cycle on the M4 so what would be the next route?

Thanks!

Losty Dublin

Cycle the old road via Kilcock, Maynooth and Leixlip, I'd guess. There is a cycle lane from the Spa hotel onwards. That's some trip in, God love ya for even thinking of it. I understand that there was some sort of blockage beyond Maynooth at one stage due to repairs and dredging etc but it should be cleared; you'd really need to cycle down the whole route to make sure it's all clear.

Seaswimmer

Get this moved to the cycling forum and you will get plenty of suggestions.

At 26 miles it is not something you could do each way every day but perfectly possible a few times a week..

mp31

I've met a few people on the Dublin-Maynooth section who do this commute a few days a week. The rest of the week they use other means of transport.

What about using the train for part of the journey and the bike the rest of the way. You could vary which stations you get on/off if you ever get bored

wirelessdude01

If it was me I would be cycling the part home. Just would be my preference but then again that would be into a headwind.

Ms Tootsie

I was thinking to get started I could cycle to Maynooth and get the train in to see how I get on and maybe get off at an early station in town and cycle the rest of the way

Ms Tootsie

Mods can you move this to the cycling forum?

Ms Tootsie

Woops! Thats already been done thanks!

Mycroft H

I've done Kilcock/Maynooth-UCD a few times and got the train back in the evening unless the weather was lovely. It's a slog of a cycle, you're on busy roads most of the time. Took me about an 1:20m cycle time and by the time you have a shower and changed it's coming up on two hours. It's grand on a nice day. You've the choice of the Strawberry Beds up past lucan or out on the N4 cycle lane. I used to use the cycle lane and swing off near Liffy Vally and through Ballyfermot.

Enfield-Dublin? Not much better, the old N4 is like a wind tunnel, not much shelter out there but it's a good road with a decent hard shoulder.

RobertFoster

What part of Dublin are you heading to? Like Losty Dublin suggested, Enfield > Kilcock > Maynooth > Leixlip > Lucan will avoid the motorway. There's a bus lane and cycle track from Leixlip, but be careful of the track as it tends to bring you up and over the bridges at Newcastle Rd./Lucan/Liffey Valley adding on to your trip by having to wait at lights etc.

If you're worried about crossing the M50, there's a pedestrian/cycle bridge. To get to it, leave the N4 at Liffey Valley as if heading for the Hermitage Medical Centre. You'll come out onto the old Lucan road where you can rejoin the N4.

Ms Tootsie

Heading to the Camden Street area.

macnab

I do Summerhill to Ringsend at least once a week this time of year. Its 28 miles and takes from 80 minutes to 110 minutes depending on wind speed and direction.
I sometimes do it twice a week but that's pushing it for my level of fitness vs ability to do a days work afterwards.
Often I drive into the suburbs, ie Dunboyne, and cycle the rest.
Food is an important factor as you will be hungry after burning all those calories. I don't work near a shop so I usually stock up on pasta and veg when I drive to work.

liam365

I would recommend coming down the canal which I believe will leave you to Catherines Park at some stage, out the main entrance and head through Lucan village to the Strawberry beds. Then through the Phoenix Park into town.

I used to cycle down the N4 from Lucan into town but had way too many near misses with bad drivers. Since switching to the Strawberry beds it's a much more pleasant cycle in and cars actually overtake properly, well most of them. It's a nice scenic route too.