Whitehall-Drogheda

Harrybelafonte · 15-10-2019 4:05pm #1

I’m going to have to commute this for awhile. Was wondering which is the quickest route (for me this would mean excluding any kind of climbing. Nag’s Head for example).

I usually go via Balbriggan but Google Maos is suggesting a route I don’t recognize.

magicbastarder · 15-10-2019 4:19pm

is it positron who sometimes commutes from drogheda to dundrum? he might have some suggestions.

15-10-2019 4:32pm

Is it sending you via the R108 and up through Naul etc?

You planning on doing it every day including a return leg or bussing it back?

is_that_so · 15-10-2019 4:37pm

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

I’m going to have to commute this for awhile. Was wondering which is the quickest route (for me this would mean excluding any kind of climbing. Nag’s Head for example).

I usually go via Balbriggan but Google Maos is suggesting a route I don’t recognize.

Just follow the R132 all the way to Whitehall, it's pretty flat. The R108 (via The Naul) is mountainy, narrow in places and has lots of blind bends. There is no other realistic direct route. Can I also suggest the Matthews service as an alternative?

Harrybelafonte · 15-10-2019 4:40pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Is it sending you via the R108 and up through Naul etc?

You planning on doing it every day including a return leg or bussing it back?

Both ways maybe twice a week.

Harrybelafonte · 15-10-2019 4:41pm

is_that_so wrote: »

Just follow the R132 all the way to Whitehall, it's pretty flat. The R108 (via The Naul) is mountainy, narrow in places and has lots of blind bends. There is no other realistic direct route.

Yes. I don’t like that route tbh. Especially on way home to Whitehall in the dark.

I did it once a few years ago and went to the N2 and back to Finglas and across.

is_that_so · 15-10-2019 4:43pm

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Yes. I don’t like that route tbh. Especially on way home to Whitehall in the dark.

Well, I've done them all, in a car of course, and there is little to no other choice. Other routes could be a lot worse. I think the bus home might be the right call. The N2 adds more time to your journey and you have the R150 to deal with, which is downhill suppose! You could cut back via Swords though on the R125.

micar · 15-10-2019 4:46pm

I've cycled from Drogheda to Dublin going the old N1 ..... never ever again and that was on a Sunday afternoon.
You'd be mixing with commuter traffic getting to work.

I've gone around the airport, ballyboughal Naul bellewstow......lots and lots of climbing.

You'd be talking 1.5 to 2 hours each way.

Harrybelafonte · 15-10-2019 4:54pm

micar wrote: »

I've cycled from Drogheda to Dublin going the old N1 ..... never ever again and that was on a Sunday afternoon.
You'd be mixing with commuter traffic getting to work.

I've gone around the airport, ballyboughal Naul bellewstow......lots and lots of climbing.

You'd be talking 1.5 to 2 hours each way.

Thanks. I’ll be traveling the other way. I got it in 1.5 hours going via N2 so I should be ok with time.

RobertFoster · 15-10-2019 5:20pm

I think I'd prefer the R132 over the N2/R152. I don't like the R152 from Kilmoon to Duleek as you get drivers doing 80+ along there with no hard shoulder.

I'd cut off the R132 at points too (Man of War to Balrothery, then Clonard to Gormanston) - they are climbs, but not long (<10 minutes each), and the downhills make up for it.

https://goo.gl/maps/pyXc8uk8TAq1WfLZ8

magicbastarder · 15-10-2019 6:00pm

what's the naul-balbriggan road like during rush hour? i.e. using the R108 on the southern half, and the R132 on the northern half of the commute?

magicbastarder · 15-10-2019 6:02pm

RobertFoster wrote: »

I think I'd prefer the R132 over the N2/R152. I don't like the R152 from Kilmoon to Duleek as you get drivers doing 80+ along there with no hard shoulder.

another option would be to keep going as far as balrath and taking the R150 to duleek - you're still left with the R152 from duleek to drogheda though. the R150 seems much quieter than the R152 (based on me being out that way on saturday/sunday mornings, though).

is_that_so · 15-10-2019 6:05pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

what's the naul-balbriggan road like during rush hour? i.e. using the R108 on the southern half, and the R132 on the northern half of the commute?

Very little on it really at any time but it depends what's going on on the M1. R132 is fine northbound once you get past Blake's Cross.

lennymc · 15-10-2019 8:14pm

R132 all the way is the best bet. About 1hr 20 to the airport.

15-10-2019 8:25pm

Yeah was thinking too you're heading north so the **** show that is Julianstown southbound in the morning shouldn't be an issue, just that lovely hill.

positron · 16-10-2019 11:12am

As accused I do occasionally cycle Drogheda-Dundrum. But Jawgap and others do Drogheda-Dublin way more often that I do, and there are a few threads from years ago that discusses all the options.

The flattest and quickest option is of course R132. It's the old main road to Belfast, wide enough mostly except for some pinch points for traffic calming etc thru villages - Most dangerous part is the Lissenhall junction though.

Naul route (R108) is narrow and hilly. It's a very popular route for weekend club riders, but tiring if you are commuting, imo. It's also narrow and you could surprise car commuters around tight corners, which is not great.

R130 (Coolquay, Garristown, Duleek) is a better option than R108. Roads are narrow but quieter, nice surface and great scenery. Duleek to Drogheda you are on busy road but it's manageable (or you can take Duleek-Juliastown for some extra mileage).

All said R132 is what I end up taking more often than others.

Wishbone Ash · 16-10-2019 12:02pm

positron wrote: »

... - Most dangerous part is the Lissenhall junction though..

How is it dangerous? There's a pedestrian/cycle subway there. Even without using the subway, I'd never consider it to be dangerous.

positron · 16-10-2019 1:04pm

Doh, you are right - my mistake! I was thinking of Blakes Cross, southbound. Sorry about that.

magicbastarder · 16-10-2019 5:25pm

another vote for the old belfast road from the chap in our building who does leopardstown-drogheda (!)

Wishbone Ash · 16-10-2019 6:47pm

positron wrote: »

Doh, you are right - my mistake! I was thinking of Blakes Cross, southbound. Sorry about that.

Now that can be dangerous - major squeaky bum time.

Harrybelafonte · 16-10-2019 8:10pm

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Now that can be dangerous - major squeaky bum time.

Yes dislike this part.

Apologies, but which road is the Old Belfast Road? Balbriggan to Julianstoan, etc?

koutoubia · 16-10-2019 8:24pm

Northbound.....
Really straight up through Swords by pass and through BLakes X although I have always found the road surface from Blakes X to Five Roads to be very 'dead' although a good section has very recently been resurfaced.
Up to Balbriggan but you can avoid the town itself by using the by pass. This involves a small climb locally known as EEC climb. Up to the Naul rd roundabout take the second exit and then a quick left which leads up Clonard Hill and once thats cleared you have a nice long descent and flat to Gormanston.Straight up the R132 from there.

I know you said 'No Hills' but I would honestly take them rather then dice with cars and the stupid lights through Balbriggan.

Carawaystick · 16-10-2019 8:34pm

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

How is it dangerous? There's a pedestrian/cycle subway there. Even without using the subway, I'd never consider it to be dangerous.

That's been shut for the last couple of weeks going to Swords.

You could go left at Bog o the Ring and go via Stamullen to Julianstown
third right
left on the R122, then first right to Stamullen
Right in Stamullen, then left out past the National school/Gaa club

16-10-2019 8:45pm

What part of Drogheda are you heading for Harry? Maybe I have some local knowledge for you or I'll at least know where to sprinkle the thumbtacks :pac:

ballyharpat · 17-10-2019 7:29am

Saw this on Twitter, where is the best place to post it?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EG4NowWWwAEtw9b?format=jpg&name=large

Weepsie · 17-10-2019 10:42am

Did I see you doing starting this commute this morn turning towards the Omni?

Sundrive track gear, and a white bike

positron · 17-10-2019 11:07am

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Yes dislike this part.

Apologies, but which road is the Old Belfast Road? Balbriggan to Julianstoan, etc?

Yes, that's R132. This used to be the 'N1' before M1 was built.

Harrybelafonte · 17-10-2019 11:45am

Thanks for all the pointers guys. I was running late this morning so I stuck to what I had in mind. All went fine. I actually turned left at the river in Julianstown and went to the old race route to come in the back of Drogheda around Funtasia. I’ll experiment with the routes but tonight I’ll be sticking to similar in the way home tonight. Thanks again.

Harrybelafonte · 17-10-2019 11:45am

Weepsie wrote: »

Did I see you doing starting this commute this morn turning towards the Omni?

Sundrive track gear, and a white bike

Yes, that was myself. I hoping some rule breaking wasn’t what drew your attention to me. Lol.

lennymc · 17-10-2019 11:47am

on the way in, if you swing left just as you come into Balbriggan, turn right at the roundabout at the top of the road, then immediately left, that will allow you bypass balbriggan. About the same amount of climbing as staying on the r132, but you get the benefit of not going into balbriggan.

magicbastarder · 17-10-2019 11:57am

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Thanks for all the pointers guys. I was running late this morning so I stuck to what I had in mind. All went fine. I actually turned left at the river in Julianstown and went to the old race route to come in the back of Drogheda around Funtasia. I’ll experiment with the routes but tonight I’ll be sticking to similar in the way home tonight. Thanks again.

what distance did it end up as? about 50, 55km?

Harrybelafonte · 17-10-2019 12:04pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

what distance did it end up as? about 50, 55km?

It was 46.5km and it took me about 1.75 hours. Haven’t been on the bike for a looong time, so happy enough.

17-10-2019 4:03pm

You seemed to have got a decent enough day for it given the time of year. Hows the motivation for the return leg?

Harrybelafonte · 17-10-2019 4:26pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

You seemed to have got a decent enough day for it given the time of year. Hows the motivation for the return leg?

Fine to be honest. Only section I’m nervous about really is the little rat run I use up by Carlos factory.

Edit to say I probably should go the same way back with the issue of taking the right turn at Julianstown junction.

We’ll see.

Harrybelafonte · 17-10-2019 8:57pm

Two hours home in the wet. Left at five so still daylight. Still a good few close passes and usual craziness. May not be super hot doing it in pitch black.

Wishbone Ash · 17-10-2019 9:09pm

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

.... I probably should go the same way back with the issue of taking the right turn at Julianstown junction...

That right turn is easier on a bike than in a car in my experience.

SmartinMartin · 17-10-2019 9:11pm

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

How is it dangerous? There's a pedestrian/cycle subway there. Even without using the subway, I'd never consider it to be dangerous.

Out of interest, where does that start and end, say heading north?

magicbastarder · 17-10-2019 9:19pm

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Two hours home in the wet. Left at five so still daylight. Still a good few close passes and usual craziness. May not be super hot doing it in pitch black.

and the evenings are going to get a lot darker in about ten days, i think.

Wishbone Ash · 17-10-2019 9:29pm

SmartinMartin wrote: »

Out of interest, where does that start and end, say heading north?

Northbound it starts just before the dedicated left lane for the M1 (about 100m before the junction itself.

Southbound - again about 100m before the Donabate left turn. You have to mount the footpath at the dished ramp. (Southbound is closed at the moment).

magicbastarder · 17-10-2019 9:30pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

and the evenings are going to get a lot darker in about ten days, i think.

just did a double check to confirm, ten days away.

SmartinMartin · 17-10-2019 9:33pm

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Northbound it starts just before the dedicated left lane for the M1 (about 100m before the junction itself.

Southbound - again about 100m before the Donabate left turn. You have to mount the footpath at the dished ramp. (Southbound is closed at the moment).

Thanks, hadn't a notion where to look for it.

Large bottle small glass · 17-10-2019 9:35pm

Did you try the cycle.travel website?

Just put in your start and end points and it'll give a bike friendly route.

They can be lumpy sometimes though.

Your effectively following coast, and probably crossing a few streams/ rivers which head east to the coast.

Without having a clue of that area it'll probably put you on a more westerly route; effectively moving bridge crossings to the next one upstream of "car" route.

17-10-2019 10:23pm

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Fine to be honest. Only section I’m nervous about really is the little rat run I use up by Carlos factory.

In Drogheda? That lane between the R152 and the R108?

Harrybelafonte · 18-10-2019 6:13am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

In Drogheda? That lane between the R152 and the R108?

Think that’s the one.

John Hutton · 18-10-2019 6:54am

Lads, when you cycle on roads like the R132 do you go in the hard shoulder or stick with decent positioning in the lane proper?

Wishbone Ash · 18-10-2019 7:56am

John Hutton wrote: »

Lads, when you cycle on roads like the R132 do you go in the hard shoulder or stick with decent positioning in the lane proper?

Hard shoulder where appropriate but it disappears in some places and in other sections it's unsuitable for cycling on.

magicbastarder · 18-10-2019 8:27am

i occasionally find myself on it, usually the stretch north of blake's cross up to the junction for nag's head/man of war, and generally keep out of the hard shoulder - but that's not on a commute, it's not at rush hour so the traffic is not bad.

Harrybelafonte · 18-10-2019 9:14am

The crazy thing is that even last night while in the hard shoulder someone couldn’t work out how to over make me.

positron · 18-10-2019 10:16am

John Hutton wrote: »

Lads, when you cycle on roads like the R132 do you go in the hard shoulder or stick with decent positioning in the lane proper?

Hard shoulder when available - and there's a lot of it to be fair. There are also marked cycle tracks that you should definitely avoid - like the ones around Julianstown village, or heading south at South Gate shopping center roundabout etc.

lennymc · 21-10-2019 1:43pm

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Two hours home in the wet. Left at five so still daylight. Still a good few close passes and usual craziness. May not be super hot doing it in pitch black.

I found when I wore a full reflective jacket (on those roads) there were a lot less close passes, compared to when I used only lights.

something like this -

Carawaystick · 21-10-2019 11:14pm

Not to totally derail the thread, but has anyone ever seen a mix reflective/fluorescent versions of the above jacket? Whenever I see anyone at twilight, the reflective jackets seem to blend in lots.

Whitehall-Drogheda

Comments