N11 near the Beehive pub.

Seaswimmer

Quick question for anyone who cycles around Wicklow.

If you are coming up the N11 from Arklow do you have to go through Wicklow town. It looks like the N11 joins the M11 around the Beehive pub with nowhere to go for bikes except over around Wicklow town. Same going the other way as well??

sideswipe

Yeah the new motorway is built over the old road there so there is no parallel secondary road. You can also head west to avoid Wicklow town toward Rathdrum-Glenealy and into Ashford to merge with the old N11.

Plastik

I would generally turn left at The Tap pub a few KM before the Beehive and head up Deputy's Pass to Glenealy and then on to Ashford/Rathnew than go in through Wicklow town.

loyatemu

cycling from the Beehive to Ashford, this is the route (Gmaps seems to think you can cycle on that bit of the M11, obviously you shouldn't):

Seaswimmer

Seaswimmer wrote: »

Quick question for anyone who cycles around Wicklow.

If you are coming up the N11 from Arklow do you have to go through Wicklow town. It looks like the N11 joins the M11 around the Beehive pub with nowhere to go for bikes except over around Wicklow town. Same going the other way as well??

Asking another similar question. It looks like you can go the opposite way from Rathnew towards the Beehive. Motorway signposts but green N11 verge markers along the verge until you get to junction 18 where you turn off for Wicklow/Redcross and the Beehive

Anyone cycled this bit??

Plastik

You can't, it's motorway.

saccades

There is a parallel road, but it has 3 gates to get over. Greenking on one side and I forget the other end (black something road?) This maybe a commute I've done.

Cycling on the motorway is illegal and even the 3 minutes up rathnew hill on the motorway would see you fined....

About 115 seconds the other way would also see you fined so don't do it.

Macy0161

Just a word of warning, that in my experience the Rathdrum - Rathnew road is awful for close passes. I'd suggest a left turn in Glenealy and into Ashford that way past Bel-air.

Seaswimmer

Thanks all.. think I will stick to the usual Wicklow Town/Brittas bay route when heading south or north.

CramCycle

Where are you aiming to end up?

Seaswimmer

CramCycle wrote: »

Where are you aiming to end up?

Go up and down to just outside Gorey the odd time. One way usually, either up or down. Doing it again Monday heading south to Gorey.

Usually go through Wicklow town and out to Brittas but curious to try old N11 at some stage

hill raider

Wicklow Town maybe a little bit indirect when going north south but it is very manageable by bike. If you are travelling from the south for example the coast road is generally quiet and good for cycling. When you enter the town from the south, Turn right off Dunbur road at Castle Avenue, down past the Black Castle and down onto the South Quay. You have by-passed the main street. At the Bridge Tavern turn right over the bridge and keep left. When you see the pedestrian bridge on your left you can enter a park there with a tarmaced Walking / Cycling Path. Follow this right as you cross the road again out to the sea front. Now you have a pleasant spin beside the sea. After the playground you turn left and follow the dedicated cycle path along the port relief road. This will bring you to the Graveyard in Rathnew. Be careful in Rathnew as it is busy and fast. You will probably be turning right onto the Hunters Hotel road at the new Aldi junction.

hill raider

If you do find yourself at the Beehive heading North then there is an alternative to going in the busy fast road to Wicklow Town. It is certainly not direct and contains a Cat 4 climb. However it is quiet and pleasant hill cycling country. Turn left over the N11 at the 'hive signposted for Kilmacurragh. After about half a k take the next right. Now you are climbing up Coolbeg. After about 3k turn right and follow the Blackhill road which brings you down a steep hill to what used to be Red Peigs Cross but is now a series of roundabouts recrossing the M11. You can drop down Ballinabarney and into Rathnew Village if that is where you fancy. Note that any of the roads linking Wicklow, Rathnew, Glenealy - Rathdrum, Glenealy - Ashford are not for the faint hearted. They are fine early on Weekend morning. Otherwise...