"Nice" cycles near Dublin

buffalo

I'm introducing a friend to cycling at the moment, and want to take them on a few nice spins over the summer. They have a high nelly rather than a road bike, so hills should be avoided.

Yesterday we went out along the Clontarf seafront to Howth and back (30km). The other ones that spring to mind are around the Phoenix Park, or maybe out along the canals.

Any other flat spins that might end in a coffee stop?

Don't Chute!

Out to Dun Laoghaire and out onto the pier for an ice cream or on to Dalkey for coffee maybe?

buffalo

black and amber wrote: »

Out to Dun Laoghaire and out onto the pier for an ice cream or on to Dalkey for coffee maybe?

It's more about the journey than the destination. Is there a nice cycle path out that way? I know the north half of the Sutton-Sandycove trail, but not the south half. How much is in place?

magicbastarder

out around portmarnock/malahide?

Lumen

Out to the Phoenix Park for some dogging?

I assume that's why you put "nice" in quotes.

Red Kev

buffalo wrote: »

It's more about the journey than the destination. Is there a nice cycle path out that way? I know the north half of the Sutton-Sandycove trail, but not the south half. How much is in place?

Cycle path most of the way along the sea at Sandymount, then through the park at Booterstown to Blackrock, separate cycle path all the way to Dun Laoghaire from the Martello tower at Seapoint.

South Wall and lighthouse also worth a visit on the way.

Fian

Dalkey - Shankhill - bray?

It is a bit hilly around dalkey I suppose.

The canals - as you suggested, is nice and flat, I brought my kids along that one. Lots of stopping to corss roads/navigate gates unfortunately, still it is a pleasant cycle and off road.

awec

Clontarf out to Portmarnock / Malahide is the nicest cycle in Dublin IMO.

connie_c

Some variation of this route, flat on quite roads, decent surface. Go further that I did and have coffee and cake at the Hill of Tara. https://www.strava.com/activities/314838372

Bloggsie

buffalo wrote: »

I'm introducing a friend to cycling at the moment, and want to take them on a few nice spins over the summer. They have a high nelly rather than a road bike, so hills should be avoided.

Yesterday we went out along the Clontarf seafront to Howth and back (30km). The other ones that spring to mind are around the Phoenix Park, or maybe out along the canals.

Any other flat spins that might end in a coffee stop?

any place that does not go near the cycle path along the N11. IMO the worst cycle path in the city, out as far a Dun Laoghaire and an ice cream in teddys, happy days.

awec

Bloggsie wrote: »

any place that does not go near the cycle path along the N11. IMO the worst cycle path in the city, out as far a Dun Laoghaire and an ice cream in teddys, happy days.

The bit of the N11 where the cycle path disappears (past Bray) is even worse to cycle on. Absolutely no enjoyment whatsoever.

Dades

Red Kev wrote: »

Cycle path most of the way along the sea at Sandymount, then through the park at Booterstown to Blackrock, separate cycle path all the way to Dun Laoghaire from the Martello tower at Seapoint.

Is there a cycle path along Sandymount strand? I thought there was only the (pedestrian?) path that ran along there. I wouldn't cycle on that with all the buggies/dogs/trippers occupying it.

Dalkey and the Vico Road is a nice cycle, though around Killiney Hill there's a bit of a climb.

Bloggsie

Dades wrote: »

Is there a cycle path along Sandymount strand? I thought there was only the (pedestrian?) path that ran along there. I wouldn't cycle on that with all the buggies/dogs/trippers occupying it.

Dalkey and the Vico Road is a nice cycle, though around Killiney Hill there's a bit of a climb.

there is a cycle path but it gets very busy with roller bladers and people walking on it during the sunny times. in regards to the hill in Killiney, you take your feet off the pedals and go wheeeeeee all the way to the bottom and then on to the beach at killiney, on the way back head up in to ballybrack and back around rather than going back up the vico road!

comete

A ride out along the canal might be nice, at least it is once you get outside the confines of the m50.

smacl

comete wrote: »

A ride out along the canal might be nice, at least it is once you get outside the confines of the m50.

Riding the canals is great fun, but can be a bit mucky unless it's been dry for a while, and is a bit heavier going in unpaved sections than on a paved road. Great for a hybrid, MTB or cross bike, a bit challenging on a road bike. For a mellow day out on the bike though, thoroughly recommended. The grand canal from town out to the Leinster aqueduct makes for a pleasant day on the bike. On the Royal, the deep sinking section is possibly best avoided for a novice cyclist.

Harrybelafonte

What about out towards Ballyboughal and stop at the café there. If you pick the right route, there might be a hill or two, but they'd be small and in weather like this, it can be a joy.

buffalo

smacl wrote: »

Riding the canals is great fun, but can be a bit mucky unless it's been dry for a while, and is a bit heavier going in unpaved sections than on a paved road. Great for a hybrid, MTB or cross bike, a bit challenging on a road bike. For a mellow day out on the bike though, thoroughly recommended. The grand canal from town out to the Leinster aqueduct makes for a pleasant day on the bike. On the Royal, the deep sinking section is possibly best avoided for a novice cyclist.

Whereabouts is the Leinster aqueduct? I've never heard of it before.

Along the Royal - this is a nice one for a sunny evening after work I think. Stop for a cheeky pint at the 12th Lock. https://goo.gl/maps/1u18d

smacl

buffalo wrote: »

Whereabouts is the Leinster aqueduct? I've never heard of it before.

Along the Royal - this is a nice one for a sunny evening after work I think. Stop for a cheeky pint at the 12th Lock. https://goo.gl/maps/1u18d

Just past Sallins. If you don't want to go that far there is a nice looking place at Lyons Estate that could be a decent food stop, maybe followed by a pint at Hazelhatch on the way back. The town end of the Grand often has a fair number of rough enough looking kids around the place (quite often on horseback), but I've never had any problems with them myself. If you want to skip the town bit, start here

L'Enfer du Nord

The metals: Dun Laoghaire to Dalkey along the former route of a pneumatic rail way.

No specific route but I like cycling around the leafy red brick suburbs of Rathmines, Rathgar and Dartry.

Mostly shared with pedestrians but you can cycle mostly off road along the Dodder from Ringsend as far as Bushy Park.

Island Bridge to Lucan via Stawberry beds.

It's nice to be on a cycle path but on a Sunday in particular plenty of quiet roads, cycling on the road really isn't that bad.