Waterford Greenway

Luxxis

HI all,

am off work next week and thinking of doing the greenway, Looks complete on the maps and website but just wondering can anyone confirm.

thanks,

Wanderer78

ive only cyclied the section from kilmacthomas to clonea and it is complete, but im hearing there are issues for a couple of kilometers just after the train station at kilmeaden with surfacing, its apparently a little rough but passable. this info may also be a little out of date, so it could all be fine now.

Pinch Flat

Cycled from carraiganore to kilmacthomas, it's grand. Could be a bit better in places, did it on a road bike with 23mm gatorskins no issues

Quigs Snr

It's complete. From Waterford it's packed stone from about 5k before and after kilmeaden station... passable though. 25 or 28 tyres at lower pressures if you want to be comfortable. But you'll be fine on anything if you are able to handle a bike at all.

iwillhtfu

Yep all complete I did Waterford -Dungarvan - Waterford a few weeks ago.

You're right to do it mid week I wouldn't be bothered on the bike at the weekend as to many bodies/dogs etc.

The Waterford side surface is great for first 5km presumably this was the section used by some councillors for the opening. After that it's a mixed bag till about 16km. Some patches of loose gravel.

I said it on a previous thread but they used a coarser stone on the Waterford side and as such it's a bit lumpier and the thoughts of falling on to it are a tad horrifying.

A great spin though and a nice coffee stop in either the train station or the bigger one further down.

If you don't have one on your bike pick up a cheap bell or rob one off the kids bike you will use it. A lot of people are out for a rambling stroll and as such aren't expecting bikes.

I did it on 23mm continental grandprix tyres slightly tougher than the 4000sii and no issues. Pinched a whole bundle of stones on the waterford side though so it could easily happen so bring spares.

Enjoy

dermabrasion

I did it a couple of weeks ago with the kids and we all loved it. We had lunch in a pub in Dungarvan. I asked the owner how business was since the Greenway opened, and she said that it had ramped up hugely. She had to open earlier, took on more staff, and was basically busy all day.
This type of thing is a no-brainer. The Galway nay-sayers are mad to impede this type of initiative.

baldbear

Could anyone advise which is the best section to cycle with a young child? (A 1 yr old) Something flat and not too tough. We are thinking of doing a max of 20km.

Thanks.

Feckofff

dermabrasion wrote: »

I did it a couple of weeks ago with the kids and we all loved it. We had lunch in a pub in Dungarvan. I asked the owner how business was since the Greenway opened, and she said that it had ramped up hugely. She had to open earlier, took on more staff, and was basically busy all day.
This type of thing is a no-brainer. The Galway nay-sayers are mad to impede this type of initiative.

I'll just leave this here (it's about wexford greenway)

http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057000952/1

Some times people are their own worst enemy!

Wanderer78

baldbear wrote:

Could anyone advise which is the best section to cycle with a young child? Something flat and not too tough. We are thinking of doing a max of 20km.

I personally would recommend kilmac to clonea/dungarvan, I think it's the best section for scenery to. There's small inclines here and there, but we done it with 4 kids ranging from 3 - 13 with no issues only tiredness after completion. There's rest areas along the way with a small play ground roughly half way on that section

iwillhtfu

Judgement Day wrote: »

NO!

Taken from the original thread posted. It's flutes like this I hope are eating humble pie one day.

How anyone can see a negative to a green way is beyond me. Those that do are presumably typical land grabbing farmers that have had their eye on or have already taken the land.

Now I think of it I do recall one such farmer with tractor trailer and jeep parked on the Waterford greenway when I was on it.

Was there ever any consideraton for a campsite along the route it strikes me as a nice route to head out for a leisurely spin with kids and perhaps an introduction to camping. Probably more suited to the Dungarvan side with beaches etc.

TheBlaaMan

baldbear wrote: »

Could anyone advise which is the best section to cycle with a young child? (A 1 yr old) Something flat and not too tough. We are thinking of doing a max of 20km.

Thanks.

Park at Shannacool (52.129115, -7.506241) and walk a few KM east and then back west (or vice versa) from here. Basic refreshments in O'Mahoneys pub and the Ballyvoile Tunnel and Viaducts to keep everyone interested.

More here http://www.visitwaterfordgreenway.com/

EDIT: whoops....I read walking , rather than cycling. No matter, same basic advice still applies...

sleepyholland

If you're planning on cycling 20km Dungarvan to O'Mahoneys pub just after the Ballyvoile tunnel is a nice out-and-back. Perfectly smooth surface, takes in lots of the highlights in terms of interest and scenery and has refreshment/toilet facilities ar both ends.

TheBlaaMan wrote: »

Park at Shannacool (52.129115, -7.506241) and walk a few KM east and then back west (or vice versa) from here. Basic refreshments in O'Mahoneys pub and the Ballyvoile Tunnel and Viaducts to keep everyone interested.

More here http://www.visitwaterfordgreenway.com/

ford2600

While I've no doubt the odd farmer or two can be extremely awkward and irrational the redevelopment of unused railway lines brings up real issue for farmers.

The land itself is pretty useless and the railway line had effectively split land parcels along its length. As farming practices have changed beyond recognition since the line closed issues have arisen
*disease control with public/dogs passing through the middle of farms (council had tried to use gates for dairy herds crossing greeny rather than underpasses/bridges) Some food scheme with dairies/meat factories have strict requirements in terms of disease control and greenways present issues
*with potential conflict between walkers/cyclist and dairy herds insurance cost/liability etc
*farmers had upgraded their own bridges over the years to carry heavier machinery/milk tanks etc which caused issues.

Most farmers engaged with council and had everything sorted in a sensible manner. I don't think any of them wanted to be the cnut putting toddlers/pensioners out on a busy regional road while passing their farm. But like Westport and Tayto there is always one.

It has been a brilliant addition to Dungarvan in terms of visitors and locals.

rob w

Was down there last week and did it from Dungarvan to Waterford and back on a road bike with 23mm tires, no problems at all but just a bit bumpy towards the Waterford side as said by others. Don't let that put you off though, well worth it.

I started at about 4pm, and it was great....very quiet, had massive stretches of it to myself! Could have done with a bell though, as came a cross a few people on bikes/walking in the same direction and they don't see/hear you coming - until you roll slowly up behind and startle them with an 'excuse me'!!:eek:

moonboy52

It is so relaxing on the Greenway.

Having no cars to deal with is so nice.

A bell is essential as many people do not stay on the left.

I wouldn't do it at the weekend.

Monday to Friday, you basically have it to yourself

Gwildor

I'm planning on commuting from Kilmac to Waterford on it every day. Riding on the roads really put me off commuting on the bike before.

robyntmorton

I took the N25 back from Cork to Shankill this afternoon, as I prefer it to the M7/8 route. A fair few cyclists out that way.

Seeing the signs for the greenway made me want to <sarcasm>run one of them down, steal their bike and </sarcasm> go for a spin. Alas, I was cargo hauling for my brother on his way home from college, so I couldn't join in.

It's good to see it so well advertised. I'll have to get the bike down that way at some point.

iwillhtfu

Gwildor wrote: »

I'm planning on commuting from Kilmac to Waterford on it every day. Riding on the roads really put me off commuting on the bike before.

Probably on of the best commutes out there. Enjoy

Gwildor

iwillhtfu wrote: »

Probably on of the best commutes out there. Enjoy

Thanks! I work on the old Kilmeaden rd, so get off at WIT Sports centre and straight into work!

dastardly00

I rode the greenway from W.I.T. to Dungarvan and back to W.I.T yesterday. Really, really enjoyable; I would recommend it to everyone.

As others have said, the surface on the Waterford side is a bit rough, but I did it on 23mm Continental GP4000S II tyres with no issues at all. There is lovely tarmac in the Dungarvan side which is beautiful.

We started at about 10am so it was fairly quiet at that time. The weather wasn't great so that probably had an influence. It got busier as the day went on (and the weather improve). A bell is absolutely essential. A quick ring and anyone ahead of you will move to one side. And the same if you hear it if someone is behind you.

Overall it's a fantastic amenity and well worth riding. No cars (obviously) and some great scenery. I'd also say that the local shops and cafes in Dungarvan are delighted with it.

mr spuckler

i'm down that way at the start of July, staying near Dungarvan. will probably only get to bring down the hybrid to bring the young fella out in the trailer so might look at doing that dungarvan to o'mahoney's stretch too.

iwillhtfu

mr spuckler wrote: »

i'm down that way at the start of July, staying near Dungarvan. will probably only get to bring down the hybrid to bring the young fella out in the trailer so might look at doing that dungarvan to o'mahoney's stretch too.

It's the nicest part of it to be honest.

mr spuckler

iwillhtfu wrote: »

It's the nicest part of it to be honest.

thanks, good to know - it looks from the route map here that there are plenty of sights and scenic stretches at that end alright

CantGetNoSleep

dastardly00 wrote: »

I rode the greenway from W.I.T. to Dungarvan and back to W.I.T yesterday. Really, really enjoyable; I would recommend it to everyone.

As others have said, the surface on the Waterford side is a bit rough, but I did it on 23mm Continental GP4000S II tyres with no issues at all. There is lovely tarmac in the Dungarvan side which is beautiful.

We started at about 10am so it was fairly quiet at that time. The weather wasn't great so that probably had an influence. It got busier as the day went on (and the weather improve). A bell is absolutely essential. A quick ring and anyone ahead of you will move to one side. And the same if you hear it if someone is behind you.

Overall it's a fantastic amenity and well worth riding. No cars (obviously) and some great scenery. I'd also say that the local shops and cafes in Dungarvan are delighted with it.

How long is that overall? I'm assuming it must be pretty flat? What about headwinds on the way to Dungarvan?

Moflojo

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

How long is that overall? I'm assuming it must be pretty flat? What about headwinds on the way to Dungarvan?

I think it's 46km from Waterford to Dungarvan. Bear in mind that they've built numerous access car parks all along the route, so you could tailor your spin to whatever distance you're comfortable with. Kilmacthomas Workhouse is the middle point and has all the facilities you could need, including car park, toilets, café, and bike hire.

It's mostly flat, but there are a couple of long, slight inclines - nothing to be concerned about at all.

I cycled it on a calm day last October so can't speak for headwinds but it's quite a sheltered route with mature hedgerows on both sides for the majority of the route.

iwillhtfu

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

How long is that overall? I'm assuming it must be pretty flat? What about headwinds on the way to Dungarvan?

Strava tells me it 90.2km Waterford start to the large buoy in Dungarvan and back to Waterford.

iwillhtfu

Moflojo wrote: »

It's mostly flat, but there are a couple of long, slight inclines - nothing to be concerned about at all.

I cycled it on a calm day last October so can't speak for headwinds but it's quite a sheltered route with mature hedgerows on both sides for the majority of the route.

Yeah I thought that myself it's more or less uphill from Dungarvan to kilmacthomas but more of a drag than a climb.

As for the sheltered trees... Yeah they don't exist I cycled it into an easterly and it sucked the life out of me. It didn't make for a pleasant return leg if I'm honest.

Most if not all the sights are between Kilmac and Dungarvan.

dastardly00

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

How long is that overall? I'm assuming it must be pretty flat? What about headwinds on the way to Dungarvan?

For our trip it was around 84km. If we had done the section east of W.I.T. campus into Waterford city that would have brought it up towards 90km.

You do end up with a decent elevation gain at the end, but all the climbing is so gradual that you wouldn't notice it too much.

It was prevailing south-westerlies when we did it on Saturday so it was a headwind most of the way to Dungarvan. There are sections of shelter along the way and the surface is so good the closer you get to Dungarvan so that all helps.

Colonel Panic

Did Dungarvan -> Waterford -> Dungarvan with a nice pub lunch in Waterford today. They even let us take the bikes inside as we had no locks and it was drizzling. The headwind on the way back was NOT welcome!

Some of the surfaces on the way into Waterford are really gravelly. I didn't mind too much on 32c tires, but my girlfriend struggled and wasn't really able for the 90km round trip. She didn't enjoy the trip back, so that's her out for anything north of 60km spins in pleasant weather!

Muahahaha

Is doing it Dungarvan to Waterford typically the best option to avoid a head wind? Thinking of heading down there midweek soon, providing I can find a bus from Dublin that will stow the bike.

iwillhtfu

Muahahaha wrote: »

Is doing it Dungarvan to Waterford typically the best option to avoid a head wind? Thinking of heading down there midweek soon, providing I can find a bus from Dublin that will stow the bike.

Generally yes. The winds are predominantly from the south west however it can vary when I did it waterford-Dungarvan-Waterford there was no wind on the way out and a very strong easterly picked up when returning.

If you're getting a bus from Dublin you're better off wat-dun-wat either way you'll pick up the wind at some point unless it's a very calm day. You're probably better off getting the train down I'd imagine it would be easier.

dastardly00

Muahahaha wrote: »

Is doing it Dungarvan to Waterford typically the best option to avoid a head wind? Thinking of heading down there midweek soon, providing I can find a bus from Dublin that will stow the bike.

Yeah if you are just planning on cycling one-way, then get the bus to Dungarvan, cycle to Waterford, then get bus from Waterford back home.

Maidhci

Thinking of taking a trip to the SE to cycle the Waterford Greenway with some friends in a few weeks' time - thinking of hiring bikes for the day as it is less hassle etc. etc. - any suggestions on bike rental shops in Dungarvan? More than likely will do Dungarvan - Waterford - Dungarvan, not fully sure yet. Many thanks.

Andalucia

plenty of options in Dungarvan, there is a hire shop at the bridge in Dungarvan, plenty of bikes, also 2 other places over the bridge in Abbeyside, one is specifically a hire shop, the other is Tony O'Mahoney bike shop which also hires bikes now, any of these will sort you out

think some of the hire shops offer a pick up service on route if the going gets too tough!

touts

Did 20km out from Dungarvan and 20km back yesterday. It really is a fantastic setup. Surface is perfect. Crowded on a sunny day but plenty of room. One observation is the tunnel could do with more lighting. It is very dark. We dismounted but many didn't. One idiot was flying through it on a road bike making some sort of a wailing screech to warn people he was coming and to get out of his way. It was blind luck he didn't take out some child walking. They need to either improve the lighting or put some form of gates at regular intervals to force people to dismount. One tip I would give people is don't rent bikes in Dungarvan. Rent them at the next stop 10km from Dungarvan. Plenty of parking there and they Re €15 for adults and €7 for kids rather than €20 for adults and €15 for kids in Dungarvan.

But overall it is a great experience and public amenity.

iwillhtfu

touts wrote: »

One observation is the tunnel could do with more lighting. It is very dark. .

It's not really to be fair and any more lighting would ruin the effect.

touts wrote: »

We dismounted but many didn't.

Cyclists don't have to dismount going through the long tunnel.

touts wrote: »

One idiot was flying through it on a road bike making some sort of a wailing screech to warn people he was coming and to get out of his way. It was blind luck he didn't take out some child walking. They need to either improve the lighting or put some form of gates at regular intervals to force people to dismount.

Not excusing this idiots behaviour but if people did as requested and stayed to the left it would be half the problem solved. Absolutely no need for gates in order to make cyclists dismount.

touts

iwillhtfu wrote: »

It's not really to be fair and any more lighting would ruin the effect.



Cyclists don't have to dismount going through the long tunnel.



Not excusing this idiots behaviour but if people did as requested and stayed to the left it would be half the problem solved. Absolutely no need for gates in order to make cyclists dismount.

There are signs at both ends telling cyclists to dismount. When I was there yesterday most did. Only a few twats went flying into it.

Walking on the left won't solve the problem of not being able to see more than a few meters ahead of you.

Don't get me wrong. I think it is a fantastic setup. It's just the way the tunnel is currently setup is an accident waiting to happen.

iwillhtfu

touts wrote: »

There are signs at both ends telling cyclists to dismount. When I was there yesterday most did. Only a few twats went flying into it.

Walking on the left won't solve the problem of not being able to see more than a few meters ahead of you.

Don't get me wrong. I think it is a fantastic setup. It's just the way the tunnel is currently setup is an accident waiting to happen.

They must be new there were no signs when I was there a couple of months back. Seems a bit silly if 8m honest either it's open or it's not.

You didn't by chance have your sunglasses on walking through the tunnel. I did in the way through the first time and yes it went pitch black. Coming back the way with sunglasses off I could see from ONE end to the other without issue and certainly wouldn't have said it was an accident in the making.

Yes o agree staying left won't solve the issue but 8t will certainly help also policing dogs on a lead.

touts

iwillhtfu wrote: »

They must be new there were no signs when I was there a couple of months back. Seems a bit silly if 8m honest either it's open or it's not.

You didn't by chance have your sunglasses on walking through the tunnel. I did in the way through the first time and yes it went pitch black. Coming back the way with sunglasses off I could see from ONE end to the other without issue and certainly wouldn't have said it was an accident in the making.

Yes o agree staying left won't solve the issue but 8t will certainly help also policing dogs on a lead.

No I didn't have my sunglasses on.

Asking cyclists to dismount is far from closing the route.

iwillhtfu

touts wrote: »

No I didn't have my sunglasses on.

Asking cyclists to dismount is far from closing the route.

Get yourself off to specsavers so

dastardly00

I can remember seeing signs asking cyclists to dismount when going through the couple of short, narrow new tunnels that cross under the road.

But I can't remember seeing any signs at the long dark tunnel. That's not to say that there wasn't any. I just didn't see them.

iwillhtfu

dastardly00 wrote: »

I can remember seeing signs asking cyclists to dismount when going through the couple of short, narrow new tunnels that cross under the road.

But I can't remember seeing any signs at the long dark tunnel. That's not to say that there wasn't any. I just didn't see them.

I think the ones on the road underpass were thorn down in protest. When I did it I didn't notice them heading west but they were up returning east. It then became apparent the ones on the other side of the tunnels had been pulled down and thrown on the ground.

There were none on the long tunnel

Also a cyclist dismount at the train station cafe which makes sense to be fair

Colm_D

The lighting in the tunnel is 'bat-friendly', hence the low level.

Fian

I drove down and my wife and i cycled this yesterday - or rather we cycled kilmacthomas-dungarvan and back. There are definitely signs asking cyclists to dismount on the long tunnel, as well as each of the short ones. We didn't dismount, but we didn't fly through at high speed either - we did not inconvenience anyone. Those signs are there primarily to cut down on legal liability - not because it is dangerous to cycle through with a bit of common sense applied.

As to the route it was pleasant, we had no wind to deal with and obviously the weather was fantastic yesterday. Having said that - I would not drive down from Dublin to do it again - it was pleasant but not so fantastic that it is worth the drive over cycling closer to home. In a way it was kind of monotonous - for most of it you can't really see much except the same hedgerows on either side of you. The long tunnel, the fern lined cliffs approaching it from either side and the views of the beach near the Dungarvan end were all spectacular though.

Surface is great and the gates that mean you don't have to dismount to cross roads are great too. Unfortunately i suspect if those were on the canal cycle rather than the much more restrictive ones we have you would find the canal colonised by motorbikes/mopeds.

Johnny Jukebox

Rode it on Saturday, the tunnel is fine, just needs a bit of common sense to slow down going through.

Agree that its somewhat monotonous, but there are some spectacular moments.

I thought it was very busy and great to see such a high level of activity on it. The number of people on bikes and in cars with bike carriers in Dungarvan was high too, and the greenway must be giving a significant boost to the local economy.

Jakey Rolling

Anyone know if there are height restrictions on the car park at Kilmacthomas? I have roof carrier for my bikes and am constantly frustrated at the number of car parks that have height barriers in place, including the new carpark at the Clonea end of the Greenway.

iwillhtfu

Jakey Rolling wrote: »

Anyone know if there are height restrictions on the car park at Kilmacthomas? I have roof carrier for my bikes and am constantly frustrated at the number of car parks that have height barriers in place, including the new carpark at the Clonea end of the Greenway.

No idea of restrictions but I would assume so and to be fair of they weren't there our ethnic minority would have it filled.

mr spuckler

iwillhtfu wrote: »

No idea of restrictions but I would assume so and to be fair of they weren't there our ethnic minority would have it filled.

yes there's a very good reason why those barriers are in place, without them the car park would be constantly full.

Fian

iwillhtfu wrote: »

No idea of restrictions but I would assume so and to be fair of they weren't there our ethnic minority would have it filled.

I don't recall any on the way in, we parked at the workhouse car park. If necessary could you not remove the bikes before pulling in to the carpark anyway?

looksee

The tunnel is actually very well (atmospheric and interesting) lit, I think you need to give your eyes chance to adjust though if the day is very bright. Its worth taking time to look at the stalagmites/tites in many of the recesses.

Jakey Rolling

Fian wrote: »

I don't recall any on the way in, we parked at the workhouse car park. If necessary could you not remove the bikes before pulling in to the carpark anyway?

Thanks for the info.

Yes I have had to stop on the road outside car parks and remove the bikes, and again when we leave - that's what pains me! Got the roof rack while I was still in Scotland, and I don't ever recall having this problem in all my travels there.