Royal Canal on a Road Bike

beauf · 25-06-2020 4:04pm

There was room for a comprise but I don't get the impression the residents were offered any, now they don't won't accept only. I don't really blame them.

magicbastarder · 25-06-2020 4:09pm

one of the main issues i heard about was the idea that each cul de sac would have an opening onto the greenway; many people felt that would invite crime into the area, as it would offer an escape route for burglars.
a more realistic (in my eyes) concern was whether this would make the cul de sacs (culs de sac?) more attractive for fly parking for people going to coolmine railway station.

and yes, mistakes seem to have been made in that in several aspects, the council seemed underprepared for questions (i am reporting this secondhand), but my issue is that the vocal residents are stonewalling the issue instead of trying to actually se if they can drive it in a proper direction.

Mercian Pro · 25-06-2020 8:53pm

beauf wrote: »

There was room for a comprise but I don't get the impression the residents were offered any, now they don't won't accept only. I don't really blame them.

I didn't really want to get into all this again at this stage as we are still a long way off knowing if Fingal are going to propose the north or south bank at the next consultation stage.

However, I am intrigued to know what compromise you have in mind and why you think it wasn't offered to the residents.

beauf · 25-06-2020 10:59pm

I know nothing. I just remember the lengthy debate on it last time. Which got pretty heated. Covered a lot of angles. That's just the impression I got. Could be completely wrong.

velo.2010 · 28-06-2020 11:27pm

Mercian Pro wrote: »

The archived page includes the text of the Greenway in a Day article but unfortunately the photos, map and video have vanished. I must see if there is any other way of republishing it online.

What day and what time did you leave Dublin to do your trip? I ask because Irish Rail say no bikes on Commuter trains before 9.30am during weekdays. I guess it was the weekend?

Mercian Pro · 28-06-2020 11:54pm

velo.2010 wrote: »

What day and what time did you leave Dublin to do your trip? I ask because Irish Rail say no bikes on Commuter trains before 9.30am during weekdays. I guess it was the weekend?

It was a weekday alright and one of the reasons we started from Drumcondra at 7.00 was that we reckoned there would be less hassle getting bikes on than at Connolly. As mentioned in the article, there was no problem slotting 3 bikes into the two spaces.

beauf · 29-06-2020 12:55am

velo.2010 wrote: »

What day and what time did you leave Dublin to do your trip? I ask because Irish Rail say no bikes on Commuter trains before 9.30am during weekdays. I guess it was the weekend?

That's a recent rule. Perhaps in the last two years. They changed the wording of it a few times, and not consistently either.

KevRossi · 29-06-2020 8:57am

The 6.55 from Connolly is an Intercity service, not a commuter, so bikes are not an issue. I've taken bikes on that train a few times on weekdays and it was never an issue.

It's first come first served with the bike racks, you need a reservation, but it doesn't guarantee you a spot if the train is full.

The Davestator · 29-06-2020 9:04am

Quick report on my trip last week.

Got the 9:05 train from Dublin to Maynooth on Thursday (have previously cycled from the convention centre to Kilcock)

Beautiful weather and relatively few around. Cycled from Maynooth to Ballymahon where I camped in Newcastle forest (a recommendation from this thread, so thank you) 3km outside of Ballymahon so easy to go into town and get 'supplies'!

Did Ballymahon to Cloondara on Friday and into Longford for the 12 noon train back to Dublin.

Really enjoyed it. Very doable in a day, but wanted an overnight.

velo.2010 · 29-06-2020 10:29am

KevRossi wrote: »

The 6.55 from Connolly is an Intercity service, not a commuter, so bikes are not an issue. I've taken bikes on that train a few times on weekdays and it was never an issue.

It's first come first served with the bike racks, you need a reservation, but it doesn't guarantee you a spot if the train is full.

Your right! It goes to Sligo. I just plugged in Maynooth to Longford and read the terms regarding bikes, then saw that Longford was considered a 'Commuter' route.

beauf · 29-06-2020 10:39am

You'd be going (I assume) against the traffic
so to speak so your train would likely be empty.

Mercian Pro · 29-06-2020 11:45am

beauf wrote: »

You'd be going (I assume) against the traffic
so to speak so your train would likely be empty.

That was certainly our experience and another reason (as well as the prevailing wind) for cycling west to east. Before that I had taken the train to Mullingar, cycled to Longford with an evening train back to Dublin. Finding and negotiating a space for the bike was a lot more problematic even though I had booked a space.

beauf · 29-06-2020 11:48am

Its pretty dire system for sure.

https://www.danube-cycle-path.com/radtramper-donau.html

Mercian Pro · 29-06-2020 6:11pm

Discovered that the full Greenway in a Day article is still available on the Club website at https://swordscc.com/2019/09/greenway-day

Looks like we booked the two bike spaces for the trip to Longford but probably didn't need to as the early morning train was so quiet.

velo.2010 · 30-06-2020 8:30pm

Cycled the Royal canal from Longford today. Got the early train and was on the route by 9.00am. My journey followed in much the same way as Mercian Pro's account from last year; took a photo at the same spot near the Shannon at Cloondara, went the wrong way down more than one towpath, and dodged the local wildlife.

Stopped in Mullingar for MacDonalds and filled my bottles and pockets for the return to Maynooth (where I got the morning train) and headed for home. A surprising 161km for the day, which probably goes to show just how far I ended up going down a couple of those wrong paths!

A grand out, but the route badly needs more signage, especially Longford to Mullingar. A bit more love and attention could see the route blossom into something special in the years to come.

a148pro · 30-06-2020 9:33pm

What bike / tyre size as a matter of interest?

velo.2010 · 30-06-2020 10:36pm

a148pro wrote: »

What bike / tyre size as a matter of interest?

Canyon CF SL with 25mm Conti GP4000. I think 28's would have been more suitable to deal with the buzz coming from the surface, particularly in the first half of the route.

Mercian Pro · 30-06-2020 10:49pm

velo.2010 wrote: »

A grand out, but the route badly needs more signage, especially Longford to Mullingar. A bit more love and attention could see the route blossom into something special in the years to come.

Glad you enjoyed it velo. Because I had previously taken those wrong turns and had to backtrack, the navigation when we did it was pretty straightforward. I was told at the time that new signage, a website and a publicity campaign were all going to happen in early 2020 but it looks like Covid 19 has set that back quite a bit.
Incidentally, I found the 28mm 4 Seasons tyres on my bike coped better with the conditions than the 25mm tyres the others had

a148pro · 01-07-2020 12:28am

I take it it's grit surface minimum then? Apologies if this is rehearsed above. Parts of the grand certainly are grass track.

Mercian Pro · 01-07-2020 9:39am

a148pro wrote: »

I take it it's grit surface minimum then? Apologies if this is rehearsed above. Parts of the grand certainly are grass track.

Grit or tarmac all the way from the Shannon to Maynooth. We found the grit slowed us down about 2kph but that was with 25mm tyres and it was no big deal. A lot of the tarmac sections were originally upgraded as quiet local roads years ago and many now have restricted access for local property owners and walkers/cyclists of course.

mr spuckler · 01-07-2020 11:13am

I did from near Ballymahon to Mullingar on 23mm tyres last year and while it was very doable I found it wore me down after a while. Mullingar to Athlone felt so much easier in comparison.

Will be doing it next week again (as part of a loop from Athlone to Ballymahon, Mullingar, Athlone) on 25's this time, hopefully feels a bit nicer! My frame won't take 28's...

a148pro · 01-07-2020 11:28am

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Grit or tarmac all the way from the Shannon to Maynooth.

Wow that is a long stretch

There's a debate to be had about the relative merits of keeping it green, the barrow way is a flash point on that front

I liked the parts of the grand that were green, but also liked the quiet country roads / grit paths which much like you described were only really used by locals and walkers

a148pro · 01-07-2020 11:30am

mr spuckler wrote: »

My frame won't take 28's...

I'm same, but specialized to a 26 turbo cotton tyre. I think it's a racing tire but i've been wearing it for over a year and I have to say it's very plush and gives a smooth ride

Plus, crucially obv, it has tan walls

devonp · 01-07-2020 11:49am

a148pro wrote: »

Wow that is a long stretch

There's a debate to be had about the relative merits of keeping it green, the barrow way is a flash point on that front

I liked the parts of the grand that were green, but also liked the quiet country roads / grit paths which much like you described were only really used by locals and walkers

the barrow way is on my bucket list for this yr, planning on the whole way from Roberstown to St. Mullins

someone posted recently that there is an upgrade to a blueway and parts may be closed ?

not sure if i'll do it with the hardtail MTB on 38's or the cross with an option of 28 smooth 33 knobbly or try and squeeze on 38 smooth on the Cx bike ?

any recommendations ?

cletus · 01-07-2020 12:18pm

devonp wrote: »

the barrow way is on my bucket list for this yr, planning on the whole way from Roberstown to St. Mullins

someone posted recently that there is an upgrade to a blueway and parts may be closed ?

not sure if i'll do it with the hardtail MTB on 38's or the cross with an option of 28 smooth 33 knobbly or try and squeeze on 38 smooth on the Cx bike ?

any recommendations ?

http://www.kildare.ie/CountyCouncil/PressReleasesAdverts/BarrowBluewayWorks-PressRelease23062020.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

They're starting at the Athy end.

The section from Lowtown to Monasterevin is literally just grassy canal bank, I've done it on a gravel bike with 40's

a148pro · 01-07-2020 3:03pm

I did it last year on 37s on gravel bike, I would think it should be fine on the 33s. Unless the grass hasn't been cut or it's been very rainy and even then that would only affect small portions

Personally I'd strongly prefer the cx bike as it is a long haul. There was a post somewhere here from lads who did it on a fat bike and found it a real drag. I remember thinking it was perfect run for a gravel bike so think you'd be fine with the cx.

Its a long way so you'll know better as to how long you're willing to do on a mtb

iwillhtfu · 01-07-2020 3:11pm

Definitely a gravel or CX bike on the barrow way unless you only have a hardtail mtb then that's fine. I regularly cycle along it south of Carlow where it is most natural and in the rain it's pretty slippery I wouldn't fancy doing it on road tyres but then if the grass has been cut which it rarely is during the summer you tend to get a load of grass caught up in knobbly tyres.

It's long enough and feels longer as it's basically flat so while there are no climbs there are also no descents so you're pedaling the whole way. There's a mix of tarmac,gravel,mud and grass from Athy - St.Mullins Oh and a **** load of dog **** outside every village along the way.

I have a plan on another thread to pack up from work one evening (not far off the canal) and head off on my merry way to Dungarvan. I live about 200m from the Barrow so can stop off in comfort along the way

nilhg · 07-07-2020 7:25pm

Bit of a hiccup with Maynooth-Leixlip?

https://www.kildarenow.com/news/home/556254/greenway-section-in-kildare-could-be-delayed-due-to-proposed-width-change.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

Mercian Pro · 07-07-2020 8:54pm

nilhg wrote: »

Bit of a hiccup with Maynooth-Leixlip?

https://www.kildarenow.com/news/home/556254/greenway-section-in-kildare-could-be-delayed-due-to-proposed-width-change.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

Some very sloppy journalism there but presumably there is some basis for the alleged dispute over the width of the Greenway. Not sure what width* the Ashtown to the M50 section is but it has always seemed plenty wide enough even when busy.
*3.5m according to the planning application so half way between what Kildare CoCo and the NTA want.

KevRossi · 07-07-2020 8:58pm

NTA have a default width of 4m for every greenway, they need to be convinced otherwise. In the planning for the Dodder greeway, they planned for 4m until some local groups convinced them that it just wasn't feasible along some of the river.

I think a stroke of a pen somewhere will get it back on track. The article itself id poorly researched, it will be 142 Km or thereabouts, not 84 km.

Mercian Pro · 13-07-2020 5:14pm

0n a leisurely spin up to the 12th Lock to meet friends for brunch, I checked the widths of some of the sections of towpath. Opposite Shandon it's 3.4m; along by Rathbourne approaching Ashtown it's 2.9m; between Ashtown and the M50 it starts at 2.5m and then widens to 3.5m and on the bridge over the M50 it's 2.0m.
Are these all going to have to be widened to 4.0m and, if so, will this happen before the social distance is reduced to 1m or the pandemic is brought under control?
Better news down at the North Strand to Sheriff Street section. I was told by one of the workmen this morning that they are due to be finished in 3 weeks. Any bets on whether the Minister for Transport or the Lord Mayor will cut the ribbon? Maybe they could have one at each end

Mercian Pro · 15-07-2020 5:41pm

A few photos showing the current state of the Phase 2 works between the North Strand and Sheriff Street. 3 weeks to before it is finished with Eamon Ryan, Luke Kelly and Hazel Chu due to cut the ribbon :rolleyes:

Stark · 15-07-2020 5:48pm

Can't wait. There's a place I go some evenings after work in Phibsborough and I've realised with the opening of this, I'll be able to make the almost entire journey from work on Lombard street to Phibsborough on fully segregated cycle lanes. I just hope there aren't scumbag issues like the Grand Canal greenway has. Tried to use it a week ago thinking it was already opened and there were already a few hanging around the entrance at Sherriff street in anticipation.

Mercian Pro · 15-07-2020 6:00pm

The section from the North Strand towards Croke Park can look bad and I've seen a bit of dealing going on. No hassle from anyone though and hopefully the new section won't be any worse.

KevRossi · 15-07-2020 6:21pm

I was living there until recently enough, the bridge beside Croker has a few drinkers and casual soft drug takers beside it, but I always found them harmless. Incidentally, a Garda car is parked here on a very regular basis.

The sides of that bridge look like an easel for the graffiti crew, maybe they could get them to so something like this, or this to prevent it going to hell. Looks ugly enough as it is.

I welcome it either way, would have liked to have had it if I was living there. I wonder if they're sorting out the steps at Jones's Rd as well, they were a right PITA.

Stark · 15-07-2020 6:41pm

Yeah I use the section between North strand and phibsboro and haven't had issues.

buffalo · 15-07-2020 7:16pm

KevRossi wrote: »

I was living there until recently enough, the bridge beside Croker has a few drinkers and casual soft drug takers beside it, but I always found them harmless. Incidentally, a Garda car is parked here on a very regular basis.

hmm, they've been staked out there for a few years at this point. Wonder who lives on that street? Someone famous or someone infamous?

VonLuck · 15-07-2020 7:50pm

The main problem is all the broken glass along that stretch. Isn't there anyone in DCC that cleans up the canal route on a regular basis?

buffalo · 16-07-2020 9:34am

VonLuck wrote: »

The main problem is all the broken glass along that stretch. Isn't there anyone in DCC that cleans up the canal route on a regular basis?

I think it's Waterways Ireland's responsibility. It'd be worth contacting them.

Hurrache · 16-07-2020 9:45am

Waterways Ireland have a Dublin operations team for managing stuff like this, dublincanals@waterwaysireland.org It's the email address I was given from Waterways Ireland when I came upon a pile of dumped bottles after Paddy's day this year.

bovis · 16-07-2020 12:37pm

I cycled the entire length from maynooth to Cloondara yesterday and took a rough record of my times. I was on a hybrid and took it pretty handy against a moderate head wind. I did up a time chart like I have used when cruising the Shannon. Its in this link. Hopefully it's useful to someone

https://www.facebook.com/1549278628668036/posts/2595449264050962/

Hurrache · 16-07-2020 1:09pm

So 60 mins from Maynooth to Enfield, what's the average touring speed involved?

bovis · 16-07-2020 1:38pm

Hurrache wrote: »

So 60 mins from Maynooth the Enfield, what's the average touring speed involved?

It's a rough guide and I reckon I was doing about 18 to 20kph

KevRossi · 16-07-2020 2:16pm

I've cycled the canal a few times and I'd put those times down as accurate. They would be discounting longer stops for food, coffee etc. but they are a good indicator of dawdling/cruising and stopping to look at stuff on a regular basis.

a148pro · 16-07-2020 8:50pm

bovis wrote: »

I cycled the entire length from maynooth to Cloondara yesterday and took a rough record of my times. I was on a hybrid and took it pretty handy against a moderate head wind. I did up a time chart like I have used when cruising the Shannon. Its in this link. Hopefully it's useful to someone

https://www.facebook.com/1549278628668036/posts/2595449264050962/

Fair play for promoting it

Suspect this type of stuff will get knocked off a lot with the "new normal"

iwillhtfu · 16-07-2020 9:37pm

Could you cycle from Lucan to Cloondara without diverting? Looking to make a roundabout trip home one evening. Also is the Richmond Inn in Cloondara a good spit for some grub?

bovis · 16-07-2020 11:10pm

iwillhtfu wrote: »

Could you cycle from Lucan to Cloondara without diverting? Looking to make a roundabout trip home one evening. Also is the Richmond Inn in Cloondara a good spit for some grub?

Yes sure. Come up from Lucan via St Catherine's Park, exit via the housing estate closest to Leixlip Louisa Bridge and pick up the towpath from there. Surface is variable until Maynooth but full greenway surface after that. Richmond Inn is a great spot for food. You will need to make a booking cause of covid19.

koutoubia · 20-07-2020 9:55pm

Hey guys,
Just wondering is it possible to go from Broombridge to Enfield or Hill of Down fully on the canal?
Looking to plan something for one of the days over the Aug B holiday. Out and back in a day.
Ta.

Mercian Pro · 20-07-2020 10:10pm

koutoubia wrote: »

Hey guys,
Just wondering is it possible to go from Broombridge to Enfield or Hill of Down fully on the canal?
Looking to plan something for one of the days over the Aug B holiday. Out and back in a day.
Ta.

It's doable but there are a few rough sections along the way particularly if you are on a road bike. The worst is just beyond Castleknock Station (The Deep Sinking) and is probably best avoided if it's anyway wet. There are a few more clay/grass/mud sections between Leixlip and Maynooth but it's grand from there on.

Brock Turnpike · 20-07-2020 10:16pm

Mercian Pro wrote: »

It's doable but there are a few rough sections along the way particularly if you are on a road bike. The worst is just beyond Castleknock Station (The Deep Sinking) and is probably best avoided if it's anyway wet. There are a few more clay/grass/mud sections between Leixlip and Maynooth but it's grand from there on.

Would agree with this. Between Castleknock station and St Mochtas crossing is very bad. Doable, but you're at a good height above the canal and there's a steep drop down to it if anything went wrong. The stretch isn't actually that long, but it's essentially exposed (large) tree roots all along it. And as mentioned, it would be fairly tricky if wet. You could always do it and just disembark and walk it if you didn't feel comfortable.

Once you get beyond that, it's fairly plain sailing in comparison.

Royal Canal on a Road Bike

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