Royal Canal works

buffalo

Anyone know if the path is still blocked off around Ashtown?

Doctor Bob

Scheduled for completion around 20th June, afaik. Possibly hoping for a launch in Bike Week (15th to 22nd June)?

buffalo

Doctor Bob wrote: »

Scheduled for completion around 20th June, afaik. Possibly hoping for a launch in Bike Week (15th to 22nd June)?

Thanks. Will have to work out an alternate route for tonight. Hate the N3 on the hybrid.

Doctor Bob

I'm not sure what your destination is, but Royal Canal to Ashtown, then River Road - New River Road - Auburn Avenue Roundabout - M50 footbridge - Old Navan Road - Blanch Main Street, or Phoenix Park - Castleknock Road - Blanch Main Street would both keep you off the N3 and get you across the M50.

There's an interesting little underpass of the M50 on the Tolka banks, that seems also to pass under the access road to Connolly Hospital, but I'm not familiar with it and would hesitate to recommend it- too muddy, secluded and unlit for the unfamiliar, I suspect, but your spirit of adventure might be stronger than mine...

buffalo

I went for this route - https://goo.gl/maps/DmlA2 Which was rather hilly as it turned out. Down to the Tolka, then up, then down to the Tolka, then up again. On the way back I noticed a cycle track in the Tolka Valley Park, which I must investigate for my next visit. And perhaps this M50 underpass if it's bright enough out!

morana

its blocked just after Croke Park also I think some of the path has slid into the canal.
You would have to skip up the NCR to Cross guns and rejoin there.

mattser

Doctor Bob wrote: »

I'm not sure what your destination is, but Royal Canal to Ashtown, then River Road - New River Road - Auburn Avenue Roundabout - M50 footbridge - Old Navan Road - Blanch Main Street, or Phoenix Park - Castleknock Road - Blanch Main Street would both keep you off the N3 and get you across the M50.

There's an interesting little underpass of the M50 on the Tolka banks, that seems also to pass under the access road to Connolly Hospital, but I'm not familiar with it and would hesitate to recommend it- too muddy, secluded and unlit for the unfamiliar, I suspect, but your spirit of adventure might be stronger than mine...

River Road ?? I wont even drive that antiquated cowpath.

buffalo

morana wrote: »

its blocked just after Croke Park also I think some of the path has slid into the canal.
You would have to skip up the NCR to Cross guns and rejoin there.

Not quite as far as Crossguns - http://goo.gl/maps/gQFSQ

That section's been closed off for months now, wonder if there's any schedule on repair works.

Doctor Bob

mattser wrote: »

River Road ?? I wont even drive that antiquated cowpath.

Fewer cars = nicer for bikes.

I know a couple of people who live in the area and cycle along there regularly. They like it precisely because it feels so rural, yet is close to the city. Probably not suitable for everyone, but buffalo'd be well able for it.

buffalo wrote: »

On the way back I noticed a cycle track in the Tolka Valley Park

Decent track once you're on it, but at the access points it has the gates. THE GATES!!

http://www.dublincity.ie/RecreationandCulture/DublinCityParks/VisitaPark/Documents/Tolka%20valley%20Greenway.pdf

buffalo

Doctor Bob wrote: »

Fewer cars = nicer for bikes.

I know a couple of people who live in the area and cycle along there regularly. They like it precisely because it feels so rural, yet is close to the city. Probably not suitable for everyone, but buffalo'd be well able for it.

You flatter me sir! But indeed, I used that road when I unexpectedly came across the Ashtown works last time. And was dumped back onto the N3 for my troubles.

Mercian Pro

"Royal Canal Greenway" as they call it is now open. There is even a Code of Conduct for cyclists and pedestrians to avoid conflict. If the rest of the urban sections of the canal were up to this standard, it would be a fantastic cycle route (but do go easy on the pedestrians, dog walkers and learner cyclists!)

Seaneh

What's the section between Leixlip and Castleknock like? The rest of the way on google maps is listed as cycle path but that stretch isn't.

Is it all good enough surface wise for a bike with 23m slicks?

Mercian Pro

Heading out from Castleknock the first few km are probably the worst on the whole canal. The stretch is called the Deep Sinking, has a very narrow rutted path with plenty of exposed tree roots and a 10m drop into the canal below. Beyond Porterstown there is a reasonable section with compacted stone but you would wreck your slicks fairly quickly on it. After that, a mix of stone, grass and bumpy clay that must be hairy on a wet day.
You might get away with a CC bike but a mountain bike would be more fun.

Seaneh

Well my bike is a specialised tricross with borough CX tyres on it for commuting, they are slick in the centre but have little nobbles on the sides, meant for hard pack cx and bike trails.

Will be in NUI Maynooth from September but working in Mouthjoy Sq part time so looking for a handy commute route.

Mercian Pro

Give it a try some day you're not in too much of a hurry but watch out for the Sinking. There is another thread here about cycling the full length of the canal if you're feeling energetic.