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Royal Canal on a Road Bike

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,289 ✭✭✭koutoubia


    So jump off at Castleknock and back on at Clonsilla!?!
    Timeframe wise what would I be looking at on a road bike on 28's to say Enfield?
    From reading here it looks like about 90mins from Enfield to hill of down.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,756 ✭✭✭Brock Turnpike


    koutoubia wrote: »
    So jump off at Castleknock and back on at Clonsilla!?!
    Timeframe wise what would I be looking at on a road bike on 28's to say Enfield?
    From reading here it looks like about 90mins from Enfield to hill of down.

    No, you don't need to go as far as Clonsilla. The St Mochtas crossing to Clonsilla is all gravel track and is fine. So it's the from Castleknock station to St Mochtas crossing bit that's the issue.


  • Registered Users Posts: 104 ✭✭CapnHex


    After last time through the Deep Sinking, I swore I'd never do it again until it's properly surfaced, but fatigue and time pressure sucked me into it again yesterday. I'm on a hybrid with 35mm tyres. It was dry yesterday so probably decent conditions, but I got there about 7pm and there were a lot of walkers on it around that time. Not an issue as such, just it is very narrow in places. I don't know the area, so what's the best route to avoid the Deep Sinking?
    As an aside, I got the 6.55am train to Longford, arrived around 9am, cycled the Longford branch of the canal and up to Tarmonbarry to see the Shannon and have a coffee and muffin. Returned to Clondara and left there around 11am to do the entire Royal Canal back to Dublin.
    Other than regular snack and drink breaks, I stopped in Mullingar for lunch. There were more cyclists on the greenway than I have seen in the past, which is great to see. It's just such an easy route to do for all levels of cyclist. Loads of towns along the way to stop in, if required.
    For information, I'm slow and steady, average about 18kmh, so it was a long day out for me. I have done the canal in sections before, and this is the second time to do the entire length in one go.


  • Moderators, Politics Moderators Posts: 40,296 Mod ✭✭✭✭Seth Brundle


    Cycled on road from Leixlip to Maynooth on Sunday and from there along the canal to Mullingar before doing the same route home.
    The road bike's 25 tyres were fine on the grit surfaces but there was a noticeable speed reduction.
    I'd been meaning to do that route for a while and glad now that I did. Lovely weather and it was nice to be away from traffic (although I was blared out of it by a driver on my way home for not using the new cycle path opposite Tesco Maynooth :rolleyes:)

    I'll do the other sections at some point.

    https://strava.app.link/K0qEOuSOi8


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,756 ✭✭✭Brock Turnpike


    CapnHex wrote: »
    After last time through the Deep Sinking, I swore I'd never do it again until it's properly surfaced, but fatigue and time pressure sucked me into it again yesterday. I'm on a hybrid with 35mm tyres. It was dry yesterday so probably decent conditions, but I got there about 7pm and there were a lot of walkers on it around that time. Not an issue as such, just it is very narrow in places. I don't know the area, so what's the best route to avoid the Deep Sinking?

    You can go as far as Coolmine station and take a right when you reach the main road (Coolmine Rd) that you would be crossing in order to enter the Deep Sinking. Continue up to the top of that road into you reach a T junction with traffic lights. You're at the Clonsilla road. Take a left and continue up Clonsilla Road for about 2.5km or so until you reach Clonsilla train station. You can get back on to the canal there and continue on your journey.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 142 ✭✭knockoutned


    Deep sinking is between Castleknock station and Coolmine station, so to avoid it heading back into town when you arrive at Coolmine Road (Coolmine Train station), you need to turn left away from the train crossing. At the first cross roads, turn right onto Delwood Road and cycle to the end (Tesco will be on your left). Turn right here and follow the road around to the the T junction with Castleknock Road. Here you have two options:

    Turn right, and cycle up the bridge and at the apex get off the bike and walk down the steps to the path heading for the 12th lock.

    Turn left then immediately right into the cul de sac. You'll see a lane way on the left which brings to you out at the old Navan Road. Turn right here and cycle up to the 12th lock and back onto the canal path.

    You can also go around by Carpenterstown and Laurel Lodge, but the above is the most direct route.

    If you want to avoid the section between Coolmine and Clonilla, the route Brock outlines is the best way.


  • Site Banned Posts: 20,686 ✭✭✭✭Weepsie


    I'd have said deep sinking goes from just past the 12th lock to about porters town. Maybe 3-4 km.

    From bridge after 12th lock, I'd take a right, and left at lights through Roselawn. Another left immediately before the Tesco and keep going til you hit the lights. Right there. Then keep going to the next lights and you're on Clonsilla road. Take a left onto this and at some point you can turn off to Porters town and rejoin canal on the opposite bank of the deep sinking and at a far nicer level/surface.

    If you miss it, you can get back at on at Clonsilla train station and a bit further beyond the station too.


    I got caught out today thinking it ended at coolmine and I was on a brand new bike.

    It's maybe a 5 min extra



    Cycled Broombridge to Kilcock today. Great day for it. Dusty though


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,816 ✭✭✭Tigerandahalf


    Soon one will hopefully be able to cycle all the way from Dublin along the Royal Canal and holiday at Centre Parcs.

    http://www.longfordcoco.ie/longfordcoco/services/regeneration/outdoor-recreational-infrastructure-scheme/newcastle-woods-to-the-royal-canal-greenway.html

    'This walk represents a significant piece of infrastructure in the delivery of a high quality, off-road network of trails throughout County Longford. It links the Newcastle Woods and the recently opened White Bridge and Center Parcs with the Royal Canal Greenway. This piece of work will allow users to travel from Dublin along the Greenway and into Center Parcs. This will increase the attractiveness of Longford and the wider Hidden Heartlands as a destination of choice for holiday makers.'


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,485 ✭✭✭KevRossi


    Family transport available, about half the price of the cheapest Dacia on the market. You can even order it with a roof.

    2-rider_4-wheel-bike-with-four-seats.jpg?crc=180608961


  • Moderators, Politics Moderators Posts: 40,296 Mod ✭✭✭✭Seth Brundle


    KevRossi wrote: »
    Family transport available, about half the price of the cheapest Dacia on the market. You can even order it with a roof.

    2-rider_4-wheel-bike-with-four-seats.jpg?crc=180608961
    Its better looking than a Dacia and presumably will last a lot longer!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,228 ✭✭✭Breezer


    What’s this like after dark between Cross Guns and Maynooth, anyone know? Do you get the antisocial behaviour you get along the Grand Canal?

    How would a hybrid with 35mm slick tyres fare on the deep sinking? I’d do that bit on the daylight leg, if I’m doing it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,095 ✭✭✭buffalo


    Breezer wrote: »
    What’s this like after dark between Cross Guns and Maynooth, anyone know? Do you get the antisocial behaviour you get along the Grand Canal?

    How would a hybrid with 35mm slick tyres fare on the deep sinking? I’d do that bit on the daylight leg, if I’m doing it.

    I'd be very wary between Cross Guns and the new bridge at Ashtown (big green one) after dark.


  • Registered Users Posts: 104 ✭✭CapnHex


    Breezer wrote: »
    What’s this like after dark between Cross Guns and Maynooth, anyone know? Do you get the antisocial behaviour you get along the Grand Canal?

    How would a hybrid with 35mm slick tyres fare on the deep sinking? I’d do that bit on the daylight leg, if I’m doing it.

    Tyres are not the problem in the Deep Sinking, it's the narrowness, roots, rocks, holes and height that freaks me out. Take it slowly and don't take your eyes off the surface to admire the scenery.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    I've done it in my non suspension MTB with narrow high pressure slicks, 80psi, and also on a folding bike with narrow slicks 65psi and I can recommend neither as being enjoyable. Doable but why bother.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,299 ✭✭✭Mercian Pro


    buffalo wrote: »
    I'd be very wary between Cross Guns and the new bridge at Ashtown (big green one) after dark.

    I'd cycle and walk that stretch a lot but rarely after dark. Does it really get that bad? The older lads having a few cans are grand to chat to but, again, that would be during the day.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    I've very little experience on it, and it was a few years back, so perhaps no longer representative of what its like now.

    When I was going that way latest I was on was dusk and it wasn't really late or getting dark.
    There were long stretches where I met no one, but surprising that you would meet runners, walkers, I was expecting almost no one.
    I went a different way when dark. But I would also do the same in town and in the phoenix park, I would go a busier route.
    Once it got dark or late a lot of these routes are very isolated.

    A lot more housing on it now. Maybe its busier.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,228 ✭✭✭Breezer


    beauf wrote: »
    I've very little experience on it, and it was a few years back, so perhaps no longer representative of what its like now.

    When I was going that way latest I was on was dusk and it wasn't really late or getting dark.
    There were long stretches where I met no one, but surprising that you would meet runners, walkers, I was expecting almost no one.
    I went a different way when dark. But I would also do the same in town and in the phoenix park, I would go a busier route.
    Once it got dark or late a lot of these routes are very isolated.

    A lot more housing on it now. Maybe its busier.

    A section of it was an absolute kip before the Broombridge Luas was built, that I do know. Are you talking that far back?


  • Site Banned Posts: 20,686 ✭✭✭✭Weepsie


    I've never had issues at either of them to be honest. I find it's mostly lads drinking their cans or whatever and nearly embarrased to have to move sometimes.

    I think it's improved as Ashtown has been developed.

    There's a contraflow cycle and bus lane going in at one of the older bridges too by the way. The one before Broombridge possibly, or maybe it's just after.


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,485 ✭✭✭KevRossi


    I was living there until very recently. That stretch was a bit crap at night. The lads at the locks drinking cans are fine, but sometimes there's younger lads there out for trouble.

    Since lockdown it's been really busy along there and there have been no reports of assaults or similar, so hopefully that's an end to it.

    The contra flow cycle route is going in on Broombridge bridge along with some other modifications.


  • Site Banned Posts: 20,686 ✭✭✭✭Weepsie


    Actually having said that. I know of someone who was attacked around broombridge a few months ago on a scooter. This was at arse oclock in the morning.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,228 ✭✭✭Breezer


    Weepsie wrote: »
    Actually having said that. I know of someone who was attacked around broombridge a few months ago on a scooter. This was at arse oclock in the morning.

    Thanks all. I shall avoid the deep slinking, not least because it’s pissing rain, and will avoid the canal generally at arse o’clock. The N4 should be quiet enough at that time anyway I suspect.


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,485 ✭✭✭KevRossi


    Breezer wrote: »
    Thanks all. I shall avoid the deep slinking, not least because it’s pissing rain, and will avoid the canal generally at arse o’clock. The N4 should be quiet enough at that time anyway I suspect.

    Deep Sinking is 1.75 Km long, can be walked in less than 20 mins. If you're nervous about the Broombridge section, then you can join the canal from the N3 if you turn off at the Halfway House Pub. You'll end out at Ashtown train station.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,095 ✭✭✭buffalo


    I'd cycle and walk that stretch a lot but rarely after dark. Does it really get that bad? The older lads having a few cans are grand to chat to but, again, that would be during the day.

    I used to commute along it, and on occasion you'd meet gangs of lads who had stolen a moped or motorbike. One time myself and the missus were coming along with a bright headlight each, and scared them so much they legged it from the underpass as far as Broombridge. As we passed under the bridge we could hear them curse us from above, "it's not the Guards at all". They left behind a moped in the middle of the path which we nearly smacked into.

    The kissing gate at the Ashtown end under the new bridge also attracted a gang at times. Never any actual trouble, but intimidating. I haven't lived there in 18 months, so maybe it's better now, but I got into the habit of cutting through the industrial estate if certain conditions were met - like if it was fine weather but dark, or Friday nights, that sort of thing. If it was lashing rain, there was never anyone else out. :D

    https://goo.gl/maps/cqJqLCAKirw6jmji8


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,228 ✭✭✭Breezer


    Well that was an adventure anyway. I took the canal path as far as Coolmine, veered off up Coolmine Road and down Clonsilla Road, and back on. Then took the N4 home after dark. There was a bit of drizzle and puddles along the way, but it wasn’t too mucky.

    Verdict: 1) the deep sinking (at least the bit I did) is doable on a hybrid, even kind of fun, but I wouldn’t want to be doing it every day.

    2) Lots of gravel between Clonsilla and Maynooth. The hybrid was fine, but it would have been nice to throw myself at it a bit more. I really really want a gravel bike now :D

    3) The N4 is a lot quicker, but very boring and I’d imagine horrible with traffic whizzing by during the day.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,299 ✭✭✭Mercian Pro


    At long last, the section between the North Strand and Sheriff Street is due to be officially opened tomorrow. Looking forward to trying it out.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    At long last, the section between the North Strand and Sheriff Street is due to be officially opened tomorrow. Looking forward to trying it out.

    Where did you see that?


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,485 ✭✭✭KevRossi




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,299 ✭✭✭Mercian Pro


    beauf wrote: »
    Where did you see that?


    The security guy manning the gate/fence yesterday and confirmed on the Dublin Cycling Campaign FB page today.



    From KevRossi's post it looks like Pascal has muscled in on what would otherwise be a Green Party gig! Mind you, it is in his constituency.


  • Site Banned Posts: 20,686 ✭✭✭✭Weepsie


    At long last, the section between the North Strand and Sheriff Street is due to be officially opened tomorrow. Looking forward to trying it out.

    Ah typical. I commute that way every day but not tomorrow


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    I won't be near it either. Like to see a head cam of the route though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,299 ✭✭✭Mercian Pro


    beauf wrote: »
    I won't be near it either. Like to see a head cam of the route though.

    No head cam I'm afraid.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,207 ✭✭✭a148pro


    Saw it from the train recently and it looks great - hopefully not visited by the kind of anti social behaviour we've seen out on the Grand. Its quite rampy so will attract teenagers on bikes, which is good, as long as no-one acts the b*lix


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    It's an area you would generally need to have your wits about you especially outside of business hours. That won't have changed.

    That said if it became popular it wouldn't be as isolated.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,299 ✭✭✭Mercian Pro


    A few photos from this morning's exploratory spin. I took a video also but can't quite figure how to upload it.

    3wZh604.jpg

    XAQpBGI.jpg

    u2vjoIg.jpg

    P1Mn6cU.jpg


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    Looks fantastic. I may have to take a morning off work to cycle to work, since I'm WFH for at least till the end the year.

    I hope it pulls in a lot of cyclists commuting into the area. People might find while its longer its a far nicer cycle to work when you are off road for most of it.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,591 ✭✭✭raheny red


    Breezer wrote: »
    What’s this like after dark between Cross Guns and Maynooth, anyone know? Do you get the antisocial behaviour you get along the Grand Canal?

    How would a hybrid with 35mm slick tyres fare on the deep sinking? I’d do that bit on the daylight leg, if I’m doing it.

    I do Phibsborough to the 12th Lock 4 nights a week 10-10:30. Doing it nearly 18 months now and not one incident. At Broombridge you'll get a group of 35-50 year olds drinking. They're harmless.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,299 ✭✭✭Mercian Pro


    Managed to create a speeded up version of my spin down and up the new section of Greenway.

    https://youtu.be/9USumrDmyOQ


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,095 ✭✭✭buffalo


    Managed to create a speeded up version of my spin down and up the new section of Greenway.

    https://youtu.be/9USumrDmyOQ

    Nice, thanks for that!

    Bridge looks very narrow for a shared facility, or is just me? Won't take much to create conflict there.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    buffalo wrote: »
    Nice, thanks for that!

    Bridge looks very narrow for a shared facility, or is just me? Won't take much to create conflict there.

    Not sure. That really up to the people using it. Looks enough space to me. I'm only going by the video though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,299 ✭✭✭Mercian Pro


    buffalo wrote: »
    Nice, thanks for that!

    Bridge looks very narrow for a shared facility, or is just me? Won't take much to create conflict there.


    A lot will depend on how busy it gets and the attitudes of those using it. Like most shared areas, unless there's a bit of give and take on both sides, there will be plenty of opportunities for conflict. I don't think widening it by a metre or so would really change that. It's a relatively short section of the overall 700 metre length.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 4,485 ✭✭✭KevRossi


    Width is fine if people respect each other and don't start to assume that they have some automatic right of way on it. I was there about an hour after the downpour and the section nearest the Liffey end had some standing water on it, it's a different tar to the section nearest the railway bridge, whilst the new bridge has a gritted surface. Also the road crossing on North Strand is staggered sway from the direct route, which is very annoying.

    I guess the big thing will be anti-social behaviour, hopefully the amount of users will sort that out. It's set up for recreational use; there's a dock and space to unload canoes etc. Plenty of open walls to graffiti, but there have been some good measures taken in the area to stop that. Like this.

    Overall I like it a lot, it goes through an old industrial landscape and I'm into that sort of grittiness. I cycled from Phibsborough to the Liffey and with the exception of crossing Dorset St, it was all good.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,034 ✭✭✭✭Stark


    I used to use the section from North strand to cycle to Phibsborough. With this new section open, the journey to Phibsborough will be a joy. I'll be able to do the entire route from my office to Phisborough on quite reasonable cycling infrastructure without having to "share the road" with traffic. Start on Lombard street contra flow, join segregated route at city quay, cross over samuel beckett (not the best bit as shared with walkers but still segregated), segregated lanes on Guild street joining to the Greenway.

    Dorset street crossing is a bit hairy alright. Could really do with pedestrian crossing lights there.


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,485 ✭✭✭KevRossi


    Stark wrote: »
    Dorset street crossing is a bit hairy alright. Could really do with pedestrian crossing lights there.

    There are light on 3 sides, but it's a kerfuffle trying to get across. It leads to pedestrians and cyclists running through traffic. They need another crossing in line with the canal paths.


  • Registered Users Posts: 330 ✭✭RurtBeynolds


    Did I read it either that this 750m path cost 9 million?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,034 ✭✭✭✭Stark


    9 million is the total cost for 7km worth of upgrade works afaik. I saw 96fm were incorrectly reporting it as the cost for phase 2. 1 million is the figure I've seen quoted for phase 2


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,228 ✭✭✭Breezer


    raheny red wrote: »
    I do Phibsborough to the 12th Lock 4 nights a week 10-10:30. Doing it nearly 18 months now and not one incident. At Broombridge you'll get a group of 35-50 year olds drinking. They're harmless.

    Thanks for that! Having done it as far as Maynooth in the daylight now, I wouldn’t be going beyond Castleknock station after dark, purely due to the surface. It gets a bit (in the Deep Sinking very) wild


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,518 ✭✭✭matrim


    Are there lights to cross north strand without having to go up to Ossary Road?


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,485 ✭✭✭KevRossi


    matrim wrote: »
    Are there lights to cross north strand without having to go up to Ossary Road?

    Yes, they are about 10m away from the main route. Not sure why they didn't line them up.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,292 ✭✭✭VonLuck


    I know this phase is just complete, but does anyone know when the next phase will be starting?


  • Registered Users Posts: 101 ✭✭bovis


    VonLuck wrote: »
    I know this phase is just complete, but does anyone know when the next phase will be starting?

    Here's a good update from June by Clr Ray McAdam
    https://raymcadam.com/2020/06/04/royalcanalgreenway-update-june-2020/


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