Royal Canal on a Road Bike

tnegun · 24-10-2019 10:57pm

Saw that this evening, its pity the greenway works haven't progressed along here or towards the city

buffalo · 24-10-2019 11:16pm

Carawaystick wrote: »

Theres a new access to the R448 at Intel to the Canal; about 200m E of Deey Bridge.
Off the new road intel built.

It's something, but it's annoying that you can't get onto the canal at Goff Bridge.

velo.2010 · 27-10-2019 8:11pm

So, the Greenway between Maynooth and Longford is officially complete and fully open!

Might check it out tomorrow and try and get over to Kinnegad at least. The idea at some stage is to get a bigger saddle bag and do what does lads did in the posted video on the RCG website - train up to Longford and cycle the way home. Before Christmas, if the weather allows.

velo.2010 · 28-10-2019 4:40pm

Well, I got up as far as Nancy Quinns? before I turned off the Greenway for Kinnegad.

Yeah, its completed apart from a small section that was gated off from the public. About half of the route is on tarmac with the rest that crushed stone surface. Its fine on a 25mm shod road bike but it does take the speed down for the same effort. The transition back to tarmac is welcome when it comes.

After a bite to eat in Kinnegad, I returned home via the old Galway road - I'd have to have ridden back into a block headwind to access the Greenway again and time was against me.

Its a great addition to cycling infrastructure and plenty of cyclists were about on the route. Families and dog walkers make good use of the route too, and its worth investing in a simple bell for added safety.

I'll have a good look for a decent large saddle bag and, hopefully, I'll get to do the route down from Longford sometime soon.

The Royal canal Greenway gets a thumbs up from me!

Effects · 29-10-2019 10:43am

velo.2010 wrote: »

The idea at some stage is to get a bigger saddle bag and do what does lads did in the posted video on the RCG website - train up to Longford and cycle the way home.

Have you a link to the video? I couldn't seem to find it.

velo.2010 · 29-10-2019 12:03pm

Effects wrote: »

Have you a link to the video? I couldn't seem to find it.

Actually, its more of an article with the Relive app video down the bottom of the page. Well worth a read if you haven't already done so.

edit, the link. https://royalcanalgreenway.ie/greenway-in-a-day/

Effects · 02-11-2019 3:33pm

Headed down for a spin today. Hadn't been past Porterstown in about 13 years. Made it to Leixlip when I decided to get the train back as the rain was getting pretty heavy.

tnegun · 02-11-2019 3:38pm

You were almost past the worst of the path by Leixlip, took a spin out to Ferns Bridge myself during the week still 90% blocked there with works ongoing but you can get past it easy enough.

Effects · 02-11-2019 9:27pm

The rain was pretty bad. Pulled in at a bridge before leixlip to see how far the train station was. When I started off again it was twice as heavy.
I'll come back on a drier day!

buffalo · 03-11-2019 2:33pm

https://kfmradio.com/node/107952

With reference to the section from Maynooth to Confey, this element is delayed pending finalisation of design changes imposed by the National Transport Authority (NTA).

No ETA.

buffalo · 10-11-2019 5:26pm

I cycled from Enfield to Carton this morning. I have to say the greenway is a treat! Lovely surface, with even some sealed tarmac for one stretch. I took the road bike with slicks to see how it fared - one puncture, but that might just be bad luck. 'twas a sharp pointy stone what done it.

I've Durano tyres on my commuter that should be more puncture resistant. I'm going to try persuade the missus (not a recreational cyclist generally) to get the train to Enfield some dry day and cycle back.

I met one group of about ten lads in luminous yellow-coloured jackets two abreast, and the lead guy on my side played chicken with me until a few metres out, then barked some comment as he passed. THEY GIVE US ALL A BAD NAME I'm not sure it's a good route for group runs - plenty of dogs, walkers, prams, etc. 5 or 6 would be the max group size I'd picture ideally unless there's really good communication, and then you'll have a group yelling at each other on what's supposed to be a facility to take one away from noisy traffic. And nobody in the group would enjoy the constant slowing and singling out surely? Unless they're **** not slowing down nor singling out?

Anyone, the morning was fab overall. Looking forward to Maynooth to city centre being done by ...2025?

Kevhog1988 · 18-11-2019 1:10pm

Is this suitable for a road bike or mtb bike only?

Effects · 18-11-2019 2:35pm

From Dublin, you can use a road bike as far as the 12th Lock.
The next two sections, to Clonsilla/St. Mochta's, are rough, and can be done on a road bike, but it's bad ground and if it's been wet then very muddy for a road bike.
From there it's a good path but only for another couple of km.

I do it the odd time on a flat bar road bike. But prefer it on my gravel bike.

Effects · 18-11-2019 2:35pm

From Dublin, you can use a road bike as far as the 12th Lock.
The next two sections, to Clonsilla/St. Mochta's, are rough, and can be done on a road bike, but it's bad ground and if it's been wet then very muddy for a road bike.
From there it's a good path but only for another couple of km.

I do it the odd time on a flat bar road bike. But prefer it on my gravel bike.

Mercian Pro · 19-11-2019 9:22am

theemigrant wrote: »

Is this suitable for a road bike or mtb bike only?

https://royalcanalgreenway.ie/greenway-in-a-day/

Also plenty of other posts here about different sections if you take a look.

smacl · 20-11-2019 7:55pm

Mercian Pro wrote: »

https://royalcanalgreenway.ie/greenway-in-a-day/

Also plenty of other posts here about different sections if you take a look.

Great write up, looked like an entertaining day.

smacl · 20-11-2019 7:58pm

theemigrant wrote: »

Is this suitable for a road bike or mtb bike only?

Weather plays a huge part here. In the summer, if it has been dry for awhile, you can tackle most canal routes on a road bike. If it has been raining with little chance to dry out, it is considerably tougher and the times I've done muddy sections on slicks have always ended up with me off and pushing in some sections.

Effects · 29-11-2019 11:57am

So I got a notification about losing my Strava King of Mountain on the Deep Sinking section.
I didn't even know I had it! Might have to try and reclaim it.

EDIT: He hit 75 km/h on that section so think there's something going on

mloc123 · 29-11-2019 12:06pm

Effects wrote: »

So I got a notification about losing my Strava King of Mountain on the Deep Sinking section.
I didn't even know I had it! Might have to try and reclaim it.

EDIT: He hit 75 km/h on that section so think there's something going on

Bike on a train..

marvin80 · 29-11-2019 8:33pm

Effects wrote: »

So I got a notification about losing my Strava King of Mountain on the Deep Sinking section.
I didn't even know I had it! Might have to try and reclaim it.

EDIT: He hit 75 km/h on that section so think there's something going on

You can flag/report it on strava

magicbastarder · 12-12-2019 2:52pm

i've seen a comment or two on twitter - referencing the attacks on the grand canal - and placing them in the context of the section of greenway between castleknock and coolmine railway stations.
the pinch points on the grand canal seem to be quite relevant to the attacks, and if the greenway on the royal canal ends up on the south bank, with no permeability for that 2km stretch, the potential for leaving someone with no escape route is clearly greater.

that said, i'm sure castleknock dwellers would be horrified at the suggestion of such crime in their area.

Mercian Pro · 13-12-2019 11:20pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

that said, i'm sure castleknock dwellers would be horrified at the suggestion of such crime in their area.

The Delwood residents seemed pretty convinced that the Greenway was going to lead to the greatest crimewave ever seen in Dublin.:)

Speaking of which, I thought Fingal were due to report on the consultation process and come up with a preferred route before the end of 2019.

velo.2010 · 21-12-2019 3:39pm

The last gated off bit of the greenway, just after Ferrans lock, has now been opened.

However, beware the large and deep puddle as you come off the new section and rejoin the already completed surface heading towards Enfield.

Mercian Pro · 06-01-2020 11:05pm

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Speaking of which, I thought Fingal were due to report on the consultation process and come up with a preferred route before the end of 2019.

Decided to get on to Fingal to find out what if anything was happening and got this reply a few days later:

Following the public engagement earlier in 2019 for the Royal Canal Urban Greenway Fingal County Council and its consultant have reviewed the 600 or so submissions received. Further surveys were also carried out later in 2019 to further clarify what will be the preferred route. A lot of the submissions received were in relation to the deep sinking area and many of the surveys and preliminary design are focused on that section. More detailed Topographical surveys were carried out along with some environmental surveys. Site investigation works are due to take place early in 2020 which will take 2 to 3 months. Following this the design will be advanced in agreement with the National Transport Authority and Waterways Ireland and Irish rail will also be consulted with. It will be a few months before the design is ready to present to the next public engagement for the emerging preferred route. Following the next public engagement a decision will be made on what planning application is made. Depending on the complexity/ impact of the route a decision will be made on what planning process will be used. If the route has reduced environmental impact it will be via part 8. Otherwise it will be via an application to An Bord Pleanala.

cdaly_ · 07-01-2020 1:13pm

So no rush then...

Duckjob · 07-01-2020 1:32pm

cdaly_ wrote: »

So no rush then...

Is there ever ?

mr spuckler · 26-01-2020 8:53pm

FFS, from infrastructure forum :mad:

No timeline for north Kildare Royal Canal Greenway project
Council says it has challenges in procurement and planning

Thargor · 26-01-2020 10:08pm

Is Maynooth to Leixlip not a nice ride as it is anyway?

tnegun · 26-01-2020 10:16pm

Not really, Maynooth to Carton is narrow and rough lots of large stones jutting out of the path. Carton to Intel/Pike bridge is narrow too and just a grass track. Pike Bridge to the dual carriageway bridge was redone and is wide but the crushed stone wasn't compacted properly so is difficult going on a bike as you plough through it. Then its a narrow mucky path with large stones again to Louisa Bridge, from Louisa Bridge to Confey some sections have been filled with large gravel to level them making for difficult cycling and again the path is narrow muddy and full of large stones. This section is a far cry from the work that was done west of Maynooth.

LennoxR · 28-01-2020 12:56pm

The Irish Times had this report from a couple of cyclists last September.

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/ireland/cycling-the-royal-canal-from-dublin-to-the-shannon-1.4016252

I've found, as I've said on this thread before, that while Dublin to Maynooth is a fun and quite challenging in places, ride on my gravel bike, there's no way I could do most of it on my road bike. After Maynooth appears to be much better now though.

KevRossi · 28-01-2020 1:50pm

LennoxR wrote: »

The Irish Times had this report from a couple of cyclists last September.

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/ireland/cycling-the-royal-canal-from-dublin-to-the-shannon-1.4016252

I've found, as I've said on this thread before, that while Dublin to Maynooth is a fun and quite challenging in places, ride on my gravel bike, there's no way I could do most of it on my road bike. After Maynooth appears to be much better now though.

After Maynooth is perfect, decent width, with a new topping.

I've cycled the whole of the canal a few times, once in the 90's and several times since 2013. Beggars belief that the missing bits are the sections that would be the most frequently used in the most densely populated section of the canal.

Amirani · 30-01-2020 12:47pm

https://www.dublininquirer.com/2020/01/29/the-next-stage-of-the-royal-canal-cycleway-is-due-to-open-in-may-says-council-official

Next stage due to open in May.

They're going for a 1 way in, 1 way out approach, which isn't great for permeability. Hopefully it's well policed.

Mercian Pro · 30-01-2020 11:37pm

Amirani wrote: »

They're going for a 1 way in, 1 way out approach.

Surely two ways in and two ways out, unless it's going to be one-way?🙂

A bit of a shame alright that DCC capitulated to local pressure and agreed to close off planned access/egress points at Ferrymans Crossing and Oriel Street.

velo.2010 · 30-01-2020 11:53pm

Amirani wrote: »

https://www.dublininquirer.com/2020/01/29/the-next-stage-of-the-royal-canal-cycleway-is-due-to-open-in-may-says-council-official

Next stage due to open in May.

They're going for a 1 way in, 1 way out approach, which isn't great for permeability. Hopefully it's well policed.

I take it that the bridge comes down on the Seville Place side of the canal. ASB is rampant down there. I'd nearly advocate for a deliberate turn off into the estate, at Oriel Street, to undermine any threat further along the canal embankment. Cyclists will be target practice along that stretch IMO.

edit; on second thoughts, maybe not!

raheny red · 02-03-2020 11:44am

Anyone know what's going on between Ashtown and Boombridge on the railway side? Alot of tree felling and heavy machinery in place the past 2 weeks.

surball · 02-03-2020 11:45am

raheny red wrote: »

Anyone know what's going on between Ashtown and Boombridge on the railway side? Alot of tree felling and heavy machinery in place the past 2 weeks.

New train station, pelletstown

Thargor · 09-03-2020 1:56pm

Can I be a lazy sod and just ask where I should get a train to to do a 100km cycle back to Dublin? How about a 50km aswell in case I have a colleague with me who doesn't cycle as much?

Is it okay to take off on our mountain bikes now or should we wait a few months for the work to catch up a bit? As in are there any currently impassible bits?

And finally any Strava route for it or just a Google maps link?

KevRossi · 09-03-2020 4:43pm

Thargor wrote: »

Can I be a lazy sod and just ask where I should get a train to to do a 100km cycle back to Dublin? How about a 50km aswell in case I have a colleague with me who doesn't cycle as much?

Is it okay to take off on our mountain bikes now or should we wait a few months for the work to catch up a bit? As in are there any currently impassible bits?

And finally any Strava route for it or just a Google maps link?

I'd suggest a train to Mullingar, it's 85 Km to Dublin, or 60Km to Maynooth for the train if you get tired. If you continue then there's another 6 stations on the way to Dublin from Maynooth, You've also the option of a less frequent train from Enfield or Kilcock.

Plenty of pubs en route for food, coffee or a pint. Shops in Longwood (small diversion), Enfield, Kilcock...

You don't really need a Strava as it's very well signposted.

Distances are here: http://royalcanal.ie/royal-canal-greenway/distance-table/

cdaly_ · 09-03-2020 4:56pm

Head west from Dublin. The only 'impassable' bit is the Deep Sinking and you can easily bypass that on road. When I was out that way last month there were some works going on near Leixlip Confey. Just a 1/2km bit of road before rejoining.

Heading west, you have railway stations at Maynooth, Kilcock, Enfield, Mullingar, Edgeworthstown, Longford. Enfield is >50km, Mullingar <100km, Longford ~170km.

Head off now. Not a bother...

Mercian Pro · 09-03-2020 6:28pm

Train to Edgeworthstown and cycle back to Maynooth with a tail wind before getting the train back to Dublin. Perfect conditions all the way and no need to take to the roads. Or Mullingar to Maynooth if you want a shorter spin.

marvin80 · 11-03-2020 1:44pm

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Train to Edgeworthstown and cycle back to Maynooth with a tail wind before getting the train back to Dublin. Perfect conditions all the way and no need to take to the roads. Or Mullingar to Maynooth if you want a shorter spin.

The nearest point of the Royal Canal to Edgeworthstown is Abbeyshrule (about 20km on quieter roads).
Probably better getting the train further to Longford and the canal is very close to the train station.

VonLuck · 29-05-2020 11:44am

Does anyone know if the section of greenway between the Dublin Docklands station to the North Strand Road is back under construction or when is it due to be opened?

Mercian Pro · 29-05-2020 5:13pm

VonLuck wrote: »

Does anyone know if the section of greenway between the Dublin Docklands station to the North Strand Road is back under construction or when is it due to be opened?

Was looking at it yesterday and they are back working on it. A lot of props still under the concrete ramp but the guard railings seem to be fitted. The section at towpath level looks good with some landscaping under way. I didn't get to look at it from the Sheriff Street end. There could be another couple of months of work left to go.

Daroxtar · 29-05-2020 5:51pm

Just thought I'd add a little note here. After two years of campaigning by some dedicated locals and with the aid of a very helpful Councillor, Meath County Council took charge of the muddy track from the village of Longwood to the canal at Ribbontail Footbridge (between Fureys bar and Longwood Dock).
They completely resurfaced the path and opened it as a right of way the week before the lock down. It couldn't have come at a better time. Virtually every man woman and child in the village has been using it constantly since then and the positive vibe it has brought has completely overridden the anxiety and negativity of being stuck at home for the last few weeks.
To top it off, I'm back at work now in Hansfield so I could cycle most of the way to work without using the main road although 40km home along the canal into a headwind might be a reality check.

KevRossi · 29-05-2020 6:52pm

That's the path that ends out here, is it? Good news anyway. Would actually encourage me to stop off in Longwood on a canal spin.

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.4428319,-6.933329,3a,75y,340.48h,96.32t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sE2okXDcPQ29iqC2ZmrPvAg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Daroxtar · 29-05-2020 7:41pm

KevRossi wrote: »

That's the path that ends out here, is it? Good news anyway. Would actually encourage me to stop off in Longwood on a canal spin.

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.4428319,-6.933329,3a,75y,340.48h,96.32t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sE2okXDcPQ29iqC2ZmrPvAg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Yes, that's the spot. Pristine tar up to the village now. Important info for anyone visiting Longwood - the scones in Gala are nicer than the ones in Spar

mad turnip · 09-06-2020 2:20pm

Does anyone know if you can switch off the royal canal and onto the Mullingar-Athlone greenway and if its all doable on the roadbike?
https://www.openstreetmap.org/directions?engine=graphhopper_bicycle&route=53.3789%2C-6.5902%3B53.4231%2C-7.9427#map=11/53.4222/-7.2750&layers=C

loudymacloud · 09-06-2020 2:50pm

mad turnip wrote: »

Does anyone know if you can switch off the royal canal and onto the Mullingar-Athlone greenway and if its all doable on the roadbike?
https://www.openstreetmap.org/directions?engine=graphhopper_bicycle&route=53.3789%2C-6.5902%3B53.4231%2C-7.9427#map=11/53.4222/-7.2750&layers=C[/quote

You sure can, signs all along the canal in Mullingar to link you to the Athlone Greenway. And all doable on a road bike.

mr spuckler · 10-06-2020 12:01pm

loudymacloud wrote: »

mad turnip wrote: »

Does anyone know if you can switch off the royal canal and onto the Mullingar-Athlone greenway and if its all doable on the roadbike?
https://www.openstreetmap.org/directions?engine=graphhopper_bicycle&route=53.3789%2C-6.5902%3B53.4231%2C-7.9427#map=11/53.4222/-7.2750&layers=C

You sure can, signs all along the canal in Mullingar to link you to the Athlone Greenway. And all doable on a road bike.

Yep, the one thing I'd say is that unless you're stopping in Mullingar I think you're better off staying on the canal and loop around north of the town. Other than having to cross the road at Austin Friars Street / Dublin rd, there's no need to leave the greenway at all.

loudymacloud · 10-06-2020 12:14pm

mr spuckler wrote: »

Yep, the one thing I'd say is that unless you're stopping in Mullingar I think you're better off staying on the canal and loop around north of the town. Other than having to cross the road at Austin Friars Street / Dublin rd, there's no need to leave the greenway at all.

Agreed, should have mentioned that in my previous post.

Royal Canal on a Road Bike

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