Cycling from Dublin to Naas via N7. Safe?

Shed.

I'm planning a cycle from Dublin to Limerick very soon. I'm thinking I'll do the first 45KM from North Dublin to Naas via the N7. On the hard shoulder obviously. This super smooth road surface would really make a good start to the journey. Is there anyone that uses this stretch of road regularly? Is it safe? I cycle alot on the hard shoulders of dual carriageways and i think they are safer than most roads despite the speed of the cars.

Any feedback appreciated.

3102derek

Only feedback I have is don't cycle on a dual carriageway. Are you nuts

Idleater

3102derek wrote: »

Only feedback I have is don't cycle on a dual carriageway. Are you nuts

Zuh? It's legal as far as Naas, but personally I think it's a little boring. For perhaps an extra couple of km going Celbridge clane or blessington are nicer and the road surface is fine.

flazio

I think the Grand Canal tow path is cycle able as far as Naas.

It's probably fine. I see one or two cyclists on this stretch every week.

If you want a more interesting / hilly route go to Naas via Blessington.

oakley2097

I've done it the other way a few times, not bad but boring but iif it gets you out of Dublin quick then ..

Shed.

3102derek wrote: »

Only feedback I have is don't cycle on a dual carriageway. Are you nuts

The hard shoulder of a dual carriageway is safer than the no shoulder of a national or regional road.

Shed.

flazio wrote: »

I think the Grand Canal tow path is cycle able as far as Naas.

I'll look in to this as a plan B. Thanks.

seamusk84

Idleater wrote: »

Zuh? It's legal as far as Naas, but personally I think it's a little boring. For perhaps an extra couple of km going Celbridge clane or blessington are nicer and the road surface is fine.

I did celbridge to blessington via the back roads last Saturday. It is very hilly, prepare for a challenge!
Wouldn't cycle on the N7. Cars treat it like a motorway.

Shed.

seamusk84 wrote: »

I did celbridge to blessington via the back roads last Saturday. It is very hilly, prepare for a challenge!
Wouldn't cycle on the N7. Cars treat it like a motorway.

The 200K is at the very edge of my ability. Trying to keep the hills to a minimum where possible. Thanks though.

Genghis

Have done it both ways. Most difficult / dangerous / annoying part is negotiating the on and off ramps.

For many of them you are better off exiting each one and reentering rather than trying to cross out across hard shoulder while avoiding cars crossing in, the trying to cross back in after the flyover as cars are trying to merge.

Sounds obvious but cars do move a lot faster than making lane changes on say city streets.

Shed.

Genghis wrote: »

Have done it both ways. Most difficult / dangerous / annoying part is negotiating the on and off ramps.

For many of them you are better off exiting each one and reentering rather than trying to cross out across hard shoulder while avoiding cars crossing in, the trying to cross back in after the flyover as cars are trying to merge.

Sounds obvious but cars do move a lot faster than making lane changes on say city streets.

Thanks for the advice. Might give that a go.

iwillhtfu

It's grand to cycle on and in parts on a Friday evening you're moving faster than the traffic. If you're just doing it for a commute I generally tend to find the direct route the best. If you've time to kill on a Fri evening go via the mountains

I was similarly concerned about cycling on it at first but when you get your head around the fact you've an entire lane (of sorts) to yourself it's probably safer than other roads where cars would be passing much closer at similar speeds. I'd actually be more concerned cycling into the city than on the N7.

As mentioned above the worst part is negotiating the off/on ramps I find the on ramps worse as cars are usually coming up to speed as opposed to slowing on the off ramps.

I negotiate them a number of different ways depending on each one some I'll stay to the right of ramp and allow cars turning off to pass on my inside others I'll follow the off ramp till I reach the chevroned part then look and move over to the main hard shoulder again. I've never had to travel up an off ramp. There are 2 points where the main hard shoulder disappears at small exit ramps leaving only a foot of shoulder which does be full of stones you need to time this well and avoid crossing it as a truck is passing.

Generally I find most motorists are grand and more often than not if you get caught out on an ON ramp they'll allow you cross to the hard shoulder.

There does be all kinds of ****e in the hard shoulder though brake discs,various belts,stones etc

It can be tough going and exhilarating on windy days depending on direction. There's a few regular lads I see on it. I met one lad from Naas cycling club on it a couple of time I'm not sure if he does it regularly he was headed for the liege-bastogne-liege last time I spoke to him. Completed successfully from what I hear.

Anyway bit of a long winded answer but as a commute road it's grand. I don't think any cyclists have been killed on it which is more than can be said for Dublin City

connie_c

https://www.strava.com/activities/307158876 Nicer route

iwillhtfu

connie_c wrote: »

https://www.strava.com/activities/307158876 Nicer route

Keep in mind whilst that is a nicer route during commuter times all of those side roads are used as rat runs for cars heading south trying to avoid N7 traffic and there is little to no run off area.

Shed.

Thanks for the help. I decided to go from Limerick to Dublin in the end but still used the N7 after Naas.

http://app.strava.com/activities/361133735