Royal Canal on a Road Bike

Mercian Pro

I know there have been other threads over the years on this, some of them covering the full length of the canal and others the Dublin commuter belt. This is just some thoughts following a recent spin from Cross Guns bridge (Phibsboro) to Kilcock. The bike was my Van Nicholas Ventus with 25mm Conti GP4000 tyres, the conditions were good after a longish dry spell and my route is here: https://www.relive.cc/view/1012652493

From Cross Guns to Ashtown, the path is tarmacadamed but in varied condition. It ranges from about 3m wide at first to a narrow section near Broombridge that is a bit rough in places. Along by the Rathbourne/Pelletstown housing, it is fine but there are a number of barriers and kissing gates that are a pain.

From Ashtown to Castleknock/Blanchardstown it is great but a little beyond the railway station, you enter the Deep Sinking, probably the worst section of the whole canal. Not only is it narrow with a steep drop on one side but the surface is a mixture of clay, rocks and exposed tree roots. It's doable in dry conditions if you have good balance and bike skills but even walking it when it's wet is a pain. This section is a bit under 2km long and you emerge from it (hopefully) at Porterstown Road.

From here on, the path runs along the north bank of the canal and is a mix of blinded stone, short stretches of tarmacadam and longish sections of grass/clay. The blinded stone is fine to cycle on in the dry and it's possible to keep up quite a good speed, dogs and pedestrians permitting. The Tarmac is fine but limited to a few area near Leixlip and Maynooth and a great new stretch at Kilcock. The grassy sections are ok when dry if you can stay in the worn clay tracks. These are generally quite smooth but some are below the level of the grass and can catch you out if you touch the edges. Cycling on the grass is slower and quite bumpy.

I stopped this time a little beyond Kilcock as the next section to Enfield is nearly all grass. On a previous spin to Mullingar, this had not been cut for some time and I had to stop a few time to clear it from the derailleur. When cut, it can still be a bit bumpy although it's a nice section for a walk! In Kilcock I had a great scone and coffee in Timeless opposite the church where they told me they were getting a track pump for cyclists in need.

The way back from Maynooth on is one of my favourite routes into Dublin, staying away from main roads and entering the Phoenix Park at Farmleigh. The average speed obviously picked up but the canal route is quieter and more attractive. I rejoined the canal at Ashtown for the final leg back to Cross Guns.

Even in dry conditions, a bike with wider tyres and suspension would make the trip more enjoyable. In wet conditions, it would be almost essential. Notwithstanding this, it's well worth trying on a road bike and you can always bail out onto the roads or a train.

Annie get your Run

I can't believe you cycled on that awful bit around Coolmine, is deep sinking the official name? I tried running that last year and was slowed to a walk in many places - would be terrified to try on the bike. Great post though, would definitely like to try other sections of it by bike.

magicbastarder

what is the history behind this deep sinking?

smacl

Weepsie wrote: »

The history behind the deep sinking is testament to how long stupid ideas have won out because of vested interests in Ireland.

Certainly a bit ropey to cycle, hence the no cycling signs either end, but also enchanting if a bit spooky. Has a feel to it of taking one of the less used routes into Mordor. FWIW, even on the CX bike I get off and push at the narrower bit (wimp that I am) but still enjoy the place.

AmberGold

Did it a few years ago on the Long Heron Audax. I was on a road bike with 23's and mudguards, I was the only one not to puncture, others had 28's and the odd mountain bike, sacralidge for an Audax ride.

Grass getting caught under the guards was an issue from time to time.

The ride itself is a killer, more or less 80k on track / grass, legs were hanging off.

Mercian Pro

The Deep Sinking certainly has its moments but most of it isn't too bad if it's dry. As mentioned in Weepsie's linked article, there was a major accident here in 1845 when a passenger barge sank after hitting the bank. More details at http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=83643699

I would be interested in anyone's recent experience of cycling the section west of Enfield. My memory of it as far as the Hill of Down is a bit vague but I don't remember any of it being as bad as Kilcock to Enfield. As I understand it, once you get to Westmeath just beyond the Hill of Down, it's great as the County Council have recently invested heavily in it. From Mullingar you have the options of staying on the restored canal towpath to the county boundary near Ballymahon, heading to Athlone on the new greenway or hopping on a train back to Dublin.

All of this is due to be upgraded once the other County Councils follow Westmeath's example, sooner rather than later I hope.

magicbastarder

Weepsie wrote: »

The Royal Canal was originally planned to take a different route, but the Duke of Leinster insisted on it being rerouted to pass Carton House. What stood in the way was a great big load of rock, and it was expensive to blast through and slowed the canal build down hugely and saw its cost soar.

interesting - we used to go fishing on the section between castleknock and coolmine stations (i grew up about 100m from the canal) and never knew this.

Rokta

Thanks for that, I was always wondering what that part was about. I enjoyed riding that part back in the days when I still had my MTB.

TooObvious

Well done doing the canal on a road bike. I did it to Ballymahon on my CX bike 3 years back and it was a great day out.

Chuchote

The Deep Sinking visited by Dick Warner

mr spuckler

Mercian Pro wrote: »

As I understand it, once you get to Westmeath just beyond the Hill of Down, it's great as the County Council have recently invested heavily in it. From Mullingar you have the options of staying on the restored canal towpath to the county boundary near Ballymahon, heading to Athlone on the new greenway or hopping on a train back to Dublin.

All of this is due to be upgraded once the other County Councils follow Westmeath's example, sooner rather than later I hope.

yes beyond Hill of Down is great, i cycled it on a carbon road bike a couple of years ago just as the Athlone greenway was due to open.

funding was recently allocated (according to this) for the completion of Maynooth to the Hill of Down. It's previously been stated that it should be complete in 2018.

edit: i'm from Athlone but live in Dublin so the completion of this will make a huge difference to me for weekend bike based visits home!

loudymacloud

mr spuckler wrote: »

yes beyond Hill of Down is great, i cycled it on a carbon road bike a couple of years ago just as the Athlone greenway was due to open.

funding was recently allocated (according to this) for the completion of Maynooth to the Hill of Down. It's previously been stated that it should be complete in 2018.

it is a great section alright, did it last summer, planning to go again in a few weeks. Really enjoyed it.

Mercian Pro

Chuchote wrote: »

The Deep Sinking visited by Dick Warner

Thanks for posting that Chuchote. I'd forgotten how enjoyable and perfectly paced it is.

loudymacloud

mr spuckler wrote: »

yes beyond Hill of Down is great, i cycled it on a carbon road bike a couple of years ago just as the Athlone greenway was due to open.

funding was recently allocated (according to this) for the completion of Maynooth to the Hill of Down. It's previously been stated that it should be complete in 2018.

edit: i'm from Athlone but live in Dublin so the completion of this will make a huge difference to me for weekend bike based visits home!

From Athlone but living in Dublin too, will definitely make a difference. Cant wait.

De Bhál

Is the full distance possible on a bike at the moment, I'm planning on giving it a go in early July?
Thought I read somewhere on here about works on one section forcing you onto the road or something.

Carawaystick

You can't get from Seville place to north strand road (yet) as a train line blocks the way. A bridge is planned


From Hill of Down west to the next bridge is a public road, but isn't there still a very rough mile or 2 on south bank to Westmeath border?

De Bhál

Carawaystick wrote: »

You can't get from Seville place to north strand road (yet) as a train line blocks the way. A bridge is planned


From Hill of Down west to the next bridge is a public road, but isn't there still a very rough mile or 2 on south bank to Westmeath border?

ok, in fairness i'm not too woried about the bits in the city as i'd get around them easily enough, just thinking about out in the middle of the country and having to do a long detour.

I found the thread that i mentioned above and the poster says the canal towpath in unpassable around Moyvalley due to works.

I've emailed Waterways Ireland

loudymacloud

Carawaystick wrote: »

You can't get from Seville place to north strand road (yet) as a train line blocks the way. A bridge is planned


From Hill of Down west to the next bridge is a public road, but isn't there still a very rough mile or 2 on south bank to Westmeath border?

there is, but manageable enough if its not wet

devonp

AmberGold wrote: »

Did it a few years ago on the Long Heron Audax. I was on a road bike with 23's and mudguards, I was the only one not to puncture, others had 28's and the odd mountain bike, sacralidge for an Audax ride.

last yr i did it on an MTB(no regrets), mea culpa ??

i sometimes commute out through the DS to leixlip,there is a very short stretch (maybe 20-30m) of the DS with some exposed bedrock which can be treacherous when wet

Mercian Pro

Useful link with distances in kms http://royalcanal.ie/leisure-activities/distance-table/

Mercian Pro

devonp wrote: »

i sometimes commute out through the DS to leixlip,there is a very short stretch (maybe 20-30m) of the DS with some exposed bedrock which can be treacherous when wet

This might be the bit of the Deep Sinking you're referring to:
image sharing

smacl

Mercian Pro wrote: »

This might be the bit of the Deep Sinking you're referring to

Last time I was down there, there were a few short collapsed parts on that rooted section, don't know if its been patched since. The sign at the start is fair warning

mr spuckler

with multiple tyre tracks visible in the mud

i watched that documentary linked earlier in the thread as i'd never heard of the deep sinking, definitely keen to wander down for a look at some stage though might be on foot for now . is it reasonably accessible from the road?

smacl

mr spuckler wrote: »

with multiple tyre tracks visible in the mud

i watched that documentary linked earlier in the thread as i'd never heard of the deep sinking, definitely keen to wander down for a look at some stage though might be on foot for now . is it reasonably accessible from the road?

Its actually fine by bike (hybrid, MTB, CX) once you're sensible and get off and push for any short stretches you're not comfortable with. The narrow rooted bits are short enough. I got onto it here by coming out of the Asthown gates of the Phoenix park.

mr spuckler

it's not that i'm concerned about being able to cycle / navigate it, moreso that i struggle to get out for spins long enough to get me there at the moment!

so am most likely to take the young lad for a walk rather than cycle it right now.

P_1

Is it from this spot the Royal Canal Way becomes all smooth and road bike friendly going West?

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Annascannon,+Co.+Westmeath/@53.48961,-7.1256087,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x485d928daad54e2d:0xfbc9bfbb7d967beb!8m2!3d53.48961!4d-7.12342

velo.2010

Thinking that the route along the canal from Maynooth to Kilcock had been tarmacked, I went down that way last week. Got onto the canal path and found it to be that loose bitumen/asphalt surface - completely inappropriate for road bikes and skinny tyres. Tried again from the Kilcock side and the same thing. The only piece that is properly surfaced is the one kilometre stretch approaching the town from the Maynooth side. I'm guessing that was done for photographic purposes when the upgrade to the quayside in Kilcock was completed.

Mercian Pro

P_1 wrote: »

Is it from this spot the Royal Canal Way becomes all smooth and road bike friendly going West?

Maybe even from a bit further east on the county boundary.

velo.2010 wrote: »

Thinking that the route along the canal from Maynooth to Kilcock had been tarmacked, I went down that way last week. Got onto the canal path and found it to be that loose bitumen/asphalt surface - completely inappropriate for road bikes and skinny tyres. Tried again from the Kilcock side and the same thing. The only piece that is properly surfaced is the one kilometre stretch approaching the town from the Maynooth side. I'm guessing that was done for photographic purposes when the upgrade to the quayside in Kilcock was completed.

Was able to average about 23kph on the blinded stone sections on 25mm tyres. There has been a lot of debate elsewhere as to whether the full route to Galway should be Tarmac or a mix of blinded stone on the rural sections and Tarmac near towns. This seems to be Waterways Ireland preference and I for one would have no problem with it.

Chuchote

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Maybe even from a bit further east on the county boundary.

Was able to average about 23kph on the blinded stone sections on 25mm tyres. There has been a lot of debate elsewhere as to whether the full route to Galway should be Tarmac or a mix of blinded stone on the rural sections and Tarmac near towns. This seems to be Waterways Ireland preference and I for one would have no problem with it.

What's blinded stone when it's at home?

Mercian Pro

Chuchote wrote: »

What's blinded stone when it's at home?

A layer of fine grit on top of a rough stone base. It's what used on the Great Western Greenway and a lot of other rural cycle paths.

smacl

Mercian Pro wrote: »

A layer of fine grit on top of a rough stone base. It's what used on the Great Western Greenway and a lot of other rural cycle paths.

They've put a fair bit of this on the Grand Canal too from Hazelhatch to Ardclough. After going through a muddy section it feels like being on a regular paved road again. Personally, I think it is ideal for these routes, as it is also a nice surface for walking and running, less environmentally disruptive to lay, and cheaper.

magicbastarder

Chuchote wrote: »

The Deep Sinking visited by Dick Warner

dick warner has left us.

De Bhál

a couple of friends and I will be passing through Mullingar on Saturday (on the canal towpath) and will be looking for somewhere to get lunch close to the canal, preferably somewhere we could sit outside with bikes in view.

anywhere say 5k either side of Mullingar or the town itself.

Thanks

Gorteen

De Bhál wrote: »

a couple of friends and I will be passing through Mullingar on Saturday (on the canal towpath) and will be looking for somewhere to get lunch close to the canal, preferably somewhere we could sit outside with bikes in view.

anywhere say 5k either side of Mullingar or the town itself.

Thanks

Mary Lynch's pub might be the best. On the canal and nice lunch menu. Dublin side of Mullingar

Mercian Pro

This from today's Irish Times :
Towpaths and greenways (via @IrishTimes) http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/towpaths-and-greenways-1.3126815

Looks like work is in progress between Enfield and Longwood. Anyone know what the section west of Longwood is like and where the upgraded Westmeath section actually starts?

mr spuckler

Mercian Pro wrote: »

This from today's Irish Times :
Towpaths and greenways (via @IrishTimes) http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/towpaths-and-greenways-1.3126815

Looks like work is in progress between Enfield and Longwood. Anyone know what the section west of Longwood is like and where the upgraded Westmeath section actually starts?

everything i've read on it suggests it starts at the county boundary.

hytrogen

De BhÃ&#161 wrote: »

a couple of friends and I will be passing through Mullingar on Saturday (on the canal towpath) and will be looking for somewhere to get lunch close to the canal, preferably somewhere we could sit outside with bikes in view.
anywhere say 5k either side of Mullingar or the town itself.

I know it's a fair bit down past Kinnegad from Mullingar but if you make it near Enfield / Moyvalley go to Fury's, without a doubt the badass home pubgrub and delicious pints on the canal

Mercian Pro

For anyone trying to keep up-to-date on the improvement works on the Royal Canal Greenway, check out https://www.facebook.com/royalcanalgreenway/
They also have a linked website.
The best maps are on www.irishtrails.ie/trail/Royal-Canal/28/ and there is a useful distance table on www.royalcanal.ie/royal-canal-greenway/distance-table/

Looks like some works are due to be completed this December with more promised in early 2018. Dublin, Fingal and Kildare are seriously lagging behind Westmeath, Meath and Longford.

blueballfc

Mercian Pro wrote: »

For anyone trying to keep up-to-date on the improvement works on the Royal Canal Greenway, check out https://www.facebook.com/royalcanalgreenway/
They also have a linked website.
The best maps are on www.irishtrails.ie/trail/Royal-Canal/28/ and there is a useful distance table on www.royalcanal.ie/royal-canal-greenway/distance-table/

Looks like some works are due to be completed this December with more promised in early 2018. Dublin, Fingal and Kildare are seriously lagging behind Westmeath, Meath and Longford.

New section opened in Kilcock nice to see
http://kfmradio.com/news/20122017-1617/new-section-royal-canal-greenway-kildare-opens-today

cdaly_

blueballfc wrote: »

New section opened in Kilcock nice to see
http://kfmradio.com/news/20122017-1617/new-section-royal-canal-greenway-kildare-opens-today

It's a pity that the picture is of about the least inspiring bit of canal in the area...

tnegun

Are they finished at Maynooth? Or will they continue on towards Leixlip and the deep sinking?

Mercian Pro

tnegun wrote: »

Are they finished at Maynooth? Or will they continue on towards Leixlip and the deep sinking?

From the Royal Canal Greenway website in November:

Castleknock to FCC/KCC (Dublin/Kildare) Border – feasibility done, Fingal County Council are about to complete the tendering process for a design engineer for the deep sinking portion which is likely to be costly and there are some concerns for the environmental impacts of heavy construction in this area – indications are that it may be a further 2 years before this section is complete.

Dublin/Kildare Border to Maynooth – feasibility done – next stage preliminary design – no further update available.

marvin80

For completeness could people fill in the gaps below.

https://i0.wp.com/royalcanal.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/full-royal.png

From Tarmonbarry to Clondra - I didn't think there was a section to walk/cycle along the canal - does anyone know if there is?
The next village after Tarmonbarry is Clondra.
From Clondra and from Longford where they meet at the 'V' - this section is complete.
From that V point to Ballymahon is in progress - should be complete in the next few weeks afaik.
From Ballymahon to Mullingar is complete.

After Mullingar what sections are complete?

Mercian Pro

This is the full November status report from the Royal Canal Greenway site:

Dublin City Council Section: The following update is thanks to Cllr. Ray McAdam from his website. “Dublin City Council has added the upgrade of a road junction to the Phase II programme of works. The initial phase of the tendering process has now been completed with Council officials expecting the second stage to start in November. All going to plan, it is anticipated that construction can begin on March 29th 2018. In terms of Phase III of the project, between the North Strand Road and the Phibsborough Road, the Council has had to review the documentation surrounding the cost of the project, meaning that tender documents should now be issued in December 2017. It is anticipated that the Contractor will be on site before the end of April 2018. The project requires certain approvals from Waterways Ireland.” Phase 4 of the project, from CrossGuns Bridge to Ashtown, was stalled in 2016 due to the lack of planners caused by the Luas cross city project.

Ashtown to Castleknock Section: Completed June 201

Castleknock to FCC/KCC (Dublin/Kildare) Border – feasibility done, Fingal County Council are about to complete the tendering process for a design engineer for the deep sinking portion which is likely to be costly and there are some concerns for the environmental impacts of heavy construction in this area – indications are that it may be a further 2 years before this section is complete.

Dublin/Kildare Border to Maynooth – feasibility done – next stage preliminary design – no further update available.

Maynooth to Kilcock (Chambers bridge) – The work from Maynooth Harbour to Chambers Bridge is due to complete in the second week of November 2017, with further works at Bailey’s Bridge to be completed later in the spring of 2018.

Kilcock greenway (Chambers bridge to Spin bridge): Completed Dec 2016
Kilcock to Ferns Lock: Waterways Ireland are carrying out works from Spin Bridge, just west of Kilcock to Ferns Lock

Ferns Lock to Cloncurry: there is a delay with the work from Ferns Lock to Cloncurry as a new Part 8 was required and it was hoped there will be an update on this in the coming weeks.

Cloncurry Bridge to the Blackwater Aquaduct: Meath County Council are currently finalising this section.

Aquaduct to Moyvalley (Fureys Public House): Kildare County Council and Waterways Ireland are working on this and this work is sixty per cent complete but the section cannot be completed until spring 2018.

Moyvalley to Westmeath: Meath County Council had completed the section from Moyvalley to Westmeath and Westmeath County Council has finished the remainder of the work as far as Athlone.

Westmearth/Longford border to Cloondara: Westmeath to Ballymahon completed summer 2017. Kenagh (Mosstown) to Kilashee is under construction. Working is also progressing from Foigha Bridge to Mosstown and they are expecting to do Longford Bridge to Archie’s Bridge before the end of the 2017. Longford council are awaiting funding to complete the section from Archies bridge to Foigha (Mullawornia) but hope it will be done for Easter 2018.


Unless you are familiar with all the place names along the canal, you really need to have a detailed map in front of you reading all this. The reference to Athlone above should probably be the Longford/Westmeath border instead. Essentially, all of Longford and Westmeath is completed (or will be very soon), Meath has quite a bit completed or under way, Kildare still has a good bit to do, Fingal has a lot to do and Dublin needs to get it's act together. AFAIK, the canal ends at Richmond Harbour in Clondra and the short section beyond that is regarded as part of the Shannon navigation.

Mercian Pro

As far as I can make out, by Spring 2018, this will be the situation:



Sections in green will be to full Greenway standard and those in blue will be at various stages ranging from feasibility design to work started.

nilhg

Went up this morning with two lads from the club and did the short section between Fureys Bar and where the Longwood road goes under the railway and the canal, have to say that the three of us were impressed with the surface, nice to see it being well used with quite a few runners, walkers, people with dogs and most importantly kids with shiny new bikes.

sneepmo

I know the royal canal greenway is now fully open in County Westmeath but does anyone know if the section from Moyvalley (Fureys Pub) to the Westmeath border is fully open/upgraded. Planning a cycle and one of our group has a road bike so not sure whether the surface is going to be ok for the initial 10k to the westmeath border.

I've tried to highlight and attach the section i'm talking about if that helps!

Cheers

mr spuckler

see here

sneepmo

Great thanks, I thought it was complete but because Moyvalley is actually in County Kildare I wasn't 100% sure.

Carawaystick

Mercian Pro wrote: »

In terms of Phase III of the project, between the North Strand Road and the Phibsborough Road, the Council has had to review the documentation surrounding the cost of the project,

What is the issue between Binns Bridge and North strand road? there is a tarmac surface the whole way, and no barriers?

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Phase 4 of the project, from CrossGuns Bridge to Ashtown, was stalled in 2016 due to the lack of planners caused by the Luas cross city project.

Again the only issue here is opening the barriers, its tarmac the whole way

When's the missing Link from North Strand to Sherrif St getting done, i.e. the bit that needs actual engineering to bridge the railway.

Mercian Pro

Carawaystick wrote: »

What is the issue between Binns Bridge and North strand road? there is a tarmac surface the whole way, and no barriers?

The plan is to upgrade this section to full Greenway standard. As far as I remember, the published plans involved additional landscaping, access points and more gradual ramps. For example, at Jones Road, there will be ramps allowing access in both directions,

Again the only issue here is opening the barriers, its tarmac the whole way

Phase 4 as originally proposed didn't involve much work from Cross Guns to the railway bridge before Cabra but the section beyond that is to be widened, resurfaced and presumably get better screening of the derelict industrial units. Parts of the section between Pelletstown and Ashtown are breaking up and presumably will be replaced. The section beyond Ashtown gives a good idea of what is intended for much of the Fingal/Dublin route.

When's the missing Link from North Strand to Sherrif St getting done, i.e. the bit that needs actual engineering to bridge the railway.

This is Phase 2 mentioned in my post #46 above.