Royal Canal on a Road Bike

riemann · 10-10-2018 09:23PM

Mercian Pro wrote: »

https://www.relive.cc/view/1896310057

Great vid

Gerry · 10-10-2018 10:59PM

Great stuff, well done . Hope to do similar soon.

blueballfc · 30-10-2018 10:39PM

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Walking the dog this morning when I realised that the conditions were perfect (SE wind; sunshine; warm and Autumn colours) for a spin to Mullingar. Got going from Cross Guns at 1.15 and made good progress as far as the Deep Sinking. I don't know if the tree roots have grown or the earth has been eroded but it felt bumpier than before and I had to keep unclipping one foot just in case.
The next sections including the grassy stretches were grand but I decided to to avoid the Ferran's Lock to Cloncurry "meadow" and detoured onto the old N4 for a few km. It was busy enough but at least had a decent hard shoulder and surface. On through Enfield and thinking about a pint at Fureys when I literally ran into the upgrading works under a bridge a bit after the Blackwater aquaduct. I struggled on until I met up with one of the workmen who agreed to let me through as long as I walked the bike. We chatted for a bit and he told me there is to be a new ramp up to the old bridge at Fureys. More interestingly, he expects to be moving on to the Ferran's/Cloncurry section once they are finished at Fureys.
I was about to order my pint when I decided to check on train times back from Mullingar. 16.54 or 20.10. The pint was put on hold as it was going to be tight enough getting there in time for the earlier train. The thought of hanging around until 8 in Summer cycling gear or cycling back into the wind was a good incentive to push on and I ended up with a KoM on Strava as a result and made the train with time to spare.
A great afternoon's cycle. Photos and video of route at https://www.relive.cc/view/1896310057

Seems to be good progress at Moyvalley
https://www.facebook.com/pg/royalcanalgreenway/posts/?ref=page_internal

Mercian Pro · 31-10-2018 12:51PM

blueballfc wrote: »

Seems to be good progress at Moyvalley
https://www.facebook.com/pg/royalcanalgreenway/posts/?ref=page_internal

Yes, I saw that. No mention of the new ramp that I was told about but it isn't really necessary as there is already a ramp to the old bridge coming from the other direction. Hopefully the weather will hold and they will be able to finish this section before the end of the year and then move on to the Ferran's/Cloncurry stretch.

Looking at taking the train to Mullingar to complete my trip to Cloondara (59k) and then cycling back to Longford (+16k) for the return train to Drumcondra. Making good use of the free-travel (and the bike) these days:)

mloc123 · 31-10-2018 09:03PM

Spotted this earlier just beyond Ferran's... maybe the start of work?

Gorteen · 31-10-2018 09:41PM

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Yes, I saw that. No mention of the new ramp that I was told about but it isn't really necessary as there is already a ramp to the old bridge coming from the other direction. Hopefully the weather will hold and they will be able to finish this section before the end of the year and then move on to the Ferran's/Cloncurry stretch.

Looking at taking the train to Mullingar to complete my trip to Cloondara (59k) and then cycling back to Longford (+16k) for the return train to Drumcondra. Making good use of the free-travel (and the bike) these days:)

If you're interested in a bit of company, I can join you for the Ballymahon - Clondra - Longford part of your journey.

LennoxR · 01-11-2018 07:06PM

Did it yesterday again from Phoenix Park through Deep Sinking to Maynooth on my gravel bike. Very pleasant spin but I can't figure out for the life of me how anyone has done the same on a road bike with less than, I don't know, 38 mm tyres?

blueballfc · 01-11-2018 09:39PM

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Yes, I saw that. No mention of the new ramp that I was told about but it isn't really necessary as there is already a ramp to the old bridge coming from the other direction. Hopefully the weather will hold and they will be able to finish this section before the end of the year and then move on to the Ferran's/Cloncurry stretch.

Looking at taking the train to Mullingar to complete my trip to Cloondara (59k) and then cycling back to Longford (+16k) for the return train to Drumcondra. Making good use of the free-travel (and the bike) these days:)

It seems from Roderick O’ gormans twitter page that planning for 12th lock to Kildare border now not till 2020 https://mobile.twitter.com/rodericogorman/status/1058031472429416450/photo/1

KevRossi · 02-11-2018 12:24AM

LennoxR wrote: »

Did it yesterday again from Phoenix Park through Deep Sinking to Maynooth on my gravel bike. Very pleasant spin but I can't figure out for the life of me how anyone has done the same on a road bike with less than, I don't know, 38 mm tyres?

I've done it a couple of times on 700x25s. Need to walk some of it as the roots are so rough and I was afraid of falling into the canal. I think the worst of it is 1.25 km long, so not too bad.

Ironic how the most heavily populated stretch of it is the last to be done.

Mercian Pro · 02-11-2018 10:07AM

Gorteen wrote: »

If you're interested in a bit of company, I can join you for the Ballymahon - Clondra - Longford part of your journey.

Thanks Gorteen. Will PM you to exchange contact details.

a148pro · 03-11-2018 09:49AM

LennoxR wrote: »

Did it yesterday again from Phoenix Park through Deep Sinking to Maynooth on my gravel bike. Very pleasant spin but I can't figure out for the life of me how anyone has done the same on a road bike with less than, I don't know, 38 mm tyres?

Did same route as you last week on a hybrid with 37s. My thinking would be same as you, can't see how this would be any fun on a road bike with standard tyres. Not sure about 32s though as have never ridden.

a148pro · 03-11-2018 09:50AM

LennoxR wrote: »

Did it yesterday again from Phoenix Park through Deep Sinking to Maynooth on my gravel bike. Very pleasant spin but I can't figure out for the life of me how anyone has done the same on a road bike with less than, I don't know, 38 mm tyres?

As an aside what gravel bike with what tyres were you on as I'm in the market for something that would be spending most of its time on tow paths and fire roads

Wishbone Ash · 03-11-2018 05:36PM

LennoxR wrote: »

Did it yesterday again from Phoenix Park through Deep Sinking to Maynooth on my gravel bike. Very pleasant spin but I can't figure out for the life of me how anyone has done the same on a road bike with less than, I don't know, 38 mm tyres?

I've done it on a single speed road bike with 23mm tyres. No particular problems - just had to keep one foot unclipped going across the Deep Sinking section. It was a dry day though - perhaps it would be a lot different in the wet.

LennoxR · 03-11-2018 08:06PM

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I've done it on a single speed road bike with 23mm tyres. No particular problems - just had to keep one foot unclipped going across the Deep Sinking section. It was a dry day though - perhaps it would be a lot different in the wet.

Fair play to you but I just can't imagine it. The Deep sinking is obviously the worst but even after that you've got, what? 15-20 km of some quite rough grass and mud track. Fine for the gravel bike on up but on 23s? Not for me anyway.

a148pro wrote: »

As an aside what gravel bike with what tyres were you on as I'm in the market for something that would be spending most of its time on tow paths and fire roads

I ride a cannondale slate with rigid fork that I picked up second hand in 2017. I've got 42 mm semi slick mtb tyre on the front and 38 mm gravel panaracer tyre on the back. Works quite well for me both on and off road.

My friends ride their cross bikes with me on knobblier tyres but personally my goal is to have a bike that rolls well both on and off road, because then you can explore further.

goverfe · 19-11-2018 09:25AM

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Yes, I saw that. No mention of the new ramp that I was told about but it isn't really necessary as there is already a ramp to the old bridge coming from the other direction. Hopefully the weather will hold and they will be able to finish this section before the end of the year and then move on to the Ferran's/Cloncurry stretch.

Looking at taking the train to Mullingar to complete my trip to Cloondara (59k) and then cycling back to Longford (+16k) for the return train to Drumcondra. Making good use of the free-travel (and the bike) these days:)

Passed by Furey's yesterday (Sun 19th Nov). No further progress on the rough stone surface and no work seems to have been done yet on the ramp leading back to the canal bridge (for switching over to the already-completed section on the northern side). There were some temporary barriers on the site, under the bridge, but no machinery left there. Hopefully they will complete this work soon.

I've cycled Longford to Mullingar several times. Nice cycle along the canal spur from Longford to the main line. Further along, the Corrlea Trackway (Iron Age bog roadway) is directly accessible from the Canal and is well worth a visit.

Qrt · 19-11-2018 09:48AM

Is the Deep Sinking due to become a two way cycle track like other parts of the Royal Canal greenway?

Mercian Pro · 19-11-2018 07:20PM

Qrt wrote: »

Is the Deep Sinking due to become a two way cycle track like other parts of the Royal Canal greenway?

Fingal Co Co appointed consultants last May for the planning and detail design of the section from Castleknock to the Kildare border near Leixlip. No word yet on what their design for the Deep Sinking will be but their brief is that it should comply with the Greenway standards set out in the National Cycle Manual. The latest word is that it will be 2020 before they even get to the planning permission stage so it doesn't seem to be a high priority for Fingal.

Qrt · 19-11-2018 07:44PM

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Fingal Co Co appointed consultants last May for the planning and detail design of the section from Castleknock to the Kildare border near Leixlip. No word yet on what their design for the Deep Sinking will be but their brief is that it should comply with the Greenway standards set out in the National Cycle Manual. The latest word is that it will be 2020 before they even get to the planning permission stage so it doesn't seem to be a high priority for Fingal.

Oh right, fantastic. I assumed it was under DCC jurisdiction. I think the sections by Broombridge and Croke Park are due to be two way cycle tracks. Anybody know?

Carawaystick · 19-11-2018 09:01PM

Qrt wrote: »

Oh right, fantastic. I assumed it was under DCC jurisdiction. I think the sections by Broombridge and Croke Park are due to be two way cycle tracks. Anybody know?

Theres a 4m wide hard surface from the red parrot to Charleville Mall beside North strand road already, apart from under the bridges, and a boreen width road from the railway overbridge down to Cross Gunns Bridge

Theres a van at the overbridge
https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.3709308,-6.2895348,43m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

Crossings of Dorset st and Phibsboro road needed, and a wider path between needed also.

Mercian Pro · 30-11-2018 12:33PM

The long-awaited Phase 2 of the Dublin section of the Greenway from Sheriff Street to the North Strand is finally due to start after Christmas. No word on Phase 3 to Phibsborough which was to start in 2017 and 2018 or Phase 4 to Ashtown.

http://irishcycle.com/2018/11/29/dublin-section-of-royal-canal-greenway-work-to-start-after-christmas/?fbclid=IwAR3Zf3ZVAIt__gDqsXG3Jt0TBykITB_gDJI5k2BVK3qlh6KQhlHNwGJQSE4

Mercian Pro · 30-11-2018 06:27PM

Weepsie wrote: »

This should have been the first phase I'd have thought. Leo Varadkar was the minister responsible when the first phase was done. The first phase was done right on the doorstep of his constituency.

The short section from the Liffey to Sheriff Street beside the Convention Centre is what Dublin City Council refer to as Phase 1. Using the same logic, Ashtown to Castleknock would be Fingal's first phase. As things stand, it looks like their second phase could be the last section of the entire Liffey to Shannon route to be completed despite being in the Taoiseach's constituency!

Mercian Pro · 03-12-2018 09:27PM

Great news on the Royal Canal Greenway FB page. Work has commenced on the last remaining grass section west of Maynooth between Ferran's Lock and Cloncurry Bridge https://www.facebook.com/1549278628668036/posts/2143923109203582/

Intended cycling Maynooth-Clondra-Longford today but ended up having to skip the last 16km to Clondra and back and go directly to Longford to catch the 16.15 train back to Dublin. A combination of a headwind, a delicious but time consuming bowl of soup at the Rustic Inn in Abbeyshrule and some very poor signage in Co Longford left me with 24km to cover in about 50min! Turning right up the Longford Branch instead of continuing to Clondra was the prudent option.

Other than the issue of the missing signs, it was a great cycle in beautiful winter sunshine. The full Dublin to Clondra spin goes on the to-do list for next summer.
Video and photo at https://www.relive.cc/view/1998123779

Gerry · 04-12-2018 12:45PM

Great stuff, some real nice pics there.

Miklos · 14-12-2018 12:18PM

Made an unplanned excursion along the canal yesterday, went all the way along from Kilcock to the Royal Canal Amenity Group just outside Leixlip. Difficult going in a few very muddy sections on 25s but really fun all the same.

Definitely going to go again when it dries up a bit, I'd love to go all the way.

Mercian Pro · 20-12-2018 12:39AM

So, according to a press release from Minister Ross tonight, construction will start next year on phases 2, 3 and 4 of the Dublin part of the Royal Canal Greenway together with a section in Kildare (presumably Ferrans Lock to Cloncurry). IF, and it's a big if, this happens, Castleknock to Maynooth will be the last remaining sections still to start.
We'll see.
http://irishcycle.com/2018/12/19/minister-ross-asks-nta-to-set-up-cycling-office-after-dail-inaction-criticism/

tnegun · 20-12-2018 03:13PM

Any word on the Confey to Maynooth Harbour piece? I think it was due to start early 2019 but haven't heard much since the ground investigation works earlier in the year.

Mercian Pro · 21-12-2018 11:50AM

tnegun wrote: »

Any word on the Confey to Maynooth Harbour piece? I think it was due to start early 2019 but haven't heard much since the ground investigation works earlier in the year.

You're right - I had forgotten that this section has still to be upgraded. The last update on the Royal Canal Greenway website is from Feb 2018 when it was due to start in the first quarter of 2018 and be finished by mid-year! If there are any bike friendly Councillors in Kildare Co Co, they might be able to provide an update.

mloc123 · 21-12-2018 02:57PM

Mercian Pro wrote: »

You're right - I had forgotten that this section has still to be upgraded. The last update on the Royal Canal Greenway website is from Feb 2018 when it was due to start in the first quarter of 2018 and be finished by mid-year! If there are any bike friendly Councillors in Kildare Co Co, they might be able to provide an update.

If they would just do the 1km stretch from Intel to Carton I would be happy. The rest of the section is fine.

mr spuckler · 21-12-2018 03:19PM

mloc123 wrote: »

If they would just do the 1km stretch from Intel to Carton I would be happy. The rest of the section is fine.

yep, bit of a tooth rattler alright.

mloc123 · 21-12-2018 03:30PM

mr spuckler wrote: »

yep, bit of a tooth rattler alright.

Was *okay* after the summer drought... but after a few weeks of rain my 28c slicks were no match

Royal Canal on a Road Bike

Comments