Advice on Long Distance Commuting

pprendeville

Have been finding it hard to get accommodation in the Dublin region since getting back to the country 2 weeks ago and it looks like we'll have to rent in Meath. Even there our options are limited. Looks like a long commute into DIT Aungier is on the cards, that's about 65k one way. Clonmellon/Athboy are likely towns we are looking at. Does anybody else commute this distance on a bike or do 1/2 by car and the other 1/2 on the bike? Just looking for advice on how best to approach it.

Bloggsie

Have you looked at Maynooth Leixlip areas, its about 28-30 kms from maynooth & 21-22 from leixlip to the city if you wanted to cycle plus on realy bad weather days there is a really good train service.

Páid

Also look at Lucan or Clondalkin. Its about 15-20k via the Greenway to the city centre.

Jawgap

Previously, I regularly did 50km each way, but this year I've been plagued by injury and illness.

Anyway, something worth looking into is the existence of a private bus service and getting a house on the route. You can then cycle in and lob the bike on the bus for the trip home.

I live in Bettystown and use a combination of cycling in and out or cycling in then taking the Matthews coach home with the bike in the luggage. Matthews also run a service to Drogheda and you have the advantage of the train.

Bus Eireann charge for carrying the bike so don't be lured in by getting a house on their routes.

You can drive part of the way then cycle the rest. I used to do that and it worked fine, you just need to find somewhere safe, secure and free. Previously I parked in housing estates, usually near shops (maybe not on the private forecourts as you might get clamped). I gave up on that because I found it was just easier to cycle all the way in and hop on the bus to head home. Plus some days when I was feeling up for a long cycle in the afternoon it was a pain to go get the car.

If you're coming in from Athboy, the Blanchardstown Centre might be a good spot for the car? But check the clamping situation.

The bike you use will probably depend on how secure your storage is at the Dublin end of the trip. I use a cyclo-cross bike with slick 25mm moderately puncture resistant tyres (it's a pain in the h0le getting a puncture at the best of times, but on a long commute it really is not fun) - the frame lets me put mudguards on.

Other than that, it's decent lights and a backpack rather than paniers. Once a week I would drive in and bring in a few shirts, socks and jocks.

I'm lucky that we have a shower in work, you'll probably need one after a spin that long in, but you might get away with wet wipes.

Lumen

Jawgap wrote: »

If you're coming in from Athboy, the Blanchardstown Centre might be a good spot for the car? But check the clamping situation.

You won't get clamped but traffic around there is brutal.

I'd be looking around Dunboyne if that's affordable. It's far enough out to be away from the skangers but close enough to cycle to the city centre.

pprendeville

Jawgap wrote: »

Previously, I regularly did 50km each way, but this year I've been plagued by injury and illness.

Anyway, something worth looking into is the existence of a private bus service and getting a house on the route. You can then cycle in and lob the bike on the bus for the trip home.

I live in Bettystown and use a combination of cycling in and out or cycling in then taking the Matthews coach home with the bike in the luggage. Matthews also run a service to Drogheda and you have the advantage of the train.

Bus Eireann charge for carrying the bike so don't be lured in by getting a house on their routes.

You can drive part of the way then cycle the rest. I used to do that and it worked fine, you just need to find somewhere safe, secure and free. Previously I parked in housing estates, usually near shops (maybe not on the private forecourts as you might get clamped). I gave up on that because I found it was just easier to cycle all the way in and hop on the bus to head home. Plus some days when I was feeling up for a long cycle in the afternoon it was a pain to go get the car.

If you're coming in from Athboy, the Blanchardstown Centre might be a good spot for the car? But check the clamping situation.

The bike you use will probably depend on how secure your storage is at the Dublin end of the trip. I use a cyclo-cross bike with slick 25mm moderately puncture resistant tyres (it's a pain in the h0le getting a puncture at the best of times, but on a long commute it really is not fun) - the frame lets me put mudguards on.

Other than that, it's decent lights and a backpack rather than paniers. Once a week I would drive in and bring in a few shirts, socks and jocks.

I'm lucky that we have a shower in work, you'll probably need one after a spin that long in, but you might get away with wet wipes.

Great advice. Appreciate that.