Leixlip-Dublin commute

buffalo wrote: »

I'm hoping to move to Leixlip in a few months, but continue commuting by bike.

Just wondering if anyone else here has the same/similar commute, and how they find it?

In terms of route, the broad choice seems to be N4 vs Strawberry Beds. N4 has its own choice between Chapelizod/Conyngham Road or bypass/St John's Road West. Getting to Strawberry Beds could mean going through St Catherine's Park or around by Confey, or a bit of the N4.

Do bus drivers give much space on the N4? Are commuting drivers close-passing speedy bastards on the Strawberry Beds? Anyone do different routes for in/out?

Thanks in advance!

The N4 is fine, noisy but fine. There is a dedicated bus lane the entire way in and generally I would only have maybe 5-6 buses pass me on that section. I have never had an issue with bus drivers, for the most part (with the exception of a few bottle necks) the traffic on the N4 moves freely, so buses can move out into the other lanes to pass.

The only annoying issue with the N4 is the M50. On the way into town you can use the cycle path and separate bridge that brings you in to Palmerstown village. On the way out you could use this but it is awkward. Staying on the N4 outbound over the M50 IMO is not a wise choice. Even driving that section is an adventure at times with traffic trying to get on to the M50 jumping lanes, traffic coming off the M50 merging in etc..

Strawberry beds I have done a few times, if trying to extend my commute. In my mind I always thought it would be a rat race but it seems to get very little commuter traffic. The section of speed bumps every 100m is enough to slow drivers.

Royal Canal to Ashtown and then the Phoenix Park? Slower but nicer with a small detour required for the Deep Sinking (though it is rideable with care)...

buffalo wrote: »

time saved on a daily commute is valuable to me.

Then you'll probably be looking at the N4 - I'm assuming Louisa Bridge to Custom House Quay as a proxy and it's the shortest route.
As I see it you have 3 options.

1. N4 all the way. Shortest route but a bit hilly including drop in and out of Leixlip and some draggy stuff in by Chapelizod - heaviest traffic route.
2. Canal to Confey and then road towards Westmanstown before dropping down the hill to the Stawberry beds. Less than 1km longer and should be less traffic although Strawberry beds can be a bit busy. Also have ramps and hills on that route that can slow you up a bit.
3. Canal to Confey and then head in by Luttrellstown Castle and Farmleigh. An extra 1.5 km to the N4 route but the quietest roads and the fewest hills.

I'd do them all a few times and see which one you prefer.

I commute from (west) Celbridge through Leixlip (Green Lane (or down to Intel and along station road) then main street) up onto N4 until exit 2 (Liffey Valley). Turn off there down towards Kings Hospital then up onto the cycle track and over the ped / cyclist M50 bridge to the old Lucan road down into chapelizod then along Chapelizod road to Conyngham road and along the quays.

More or less the reverse route home. The route is pretty flat and takes me less than an hour each way (not pushing it - I'm a fat auld fella). There is little interaction with motorists for most of it, just keep an eye out at the slip roads on the N4.

I'm not a huge fan of the Strawberry beds, particularly during the winter months, I find that road a bit claustrophobic.

As a helpful bonus the cycle paths along the N4 and the Chapelizod road(both directions) double up as a great training route if you are planning to race on Pave at any stage.


See you on the road.

I sometimes cycle out those general directions from where I work in the IFSC…

Homeward bound, I cross the Luas lines and go out onto Amiens Street and head across the bridge and swing around George’s Quay and on down the Quays.
Keep right at Heuston Station and head for Phoenix Park..

I then either:

Go into Park and use cycle lane until last roundabout before Castleknock Gate; then keep left and either take first right to exit at White’s Gate or keep ahead straight for exit at next right at Knockmaroon Gate.

Or from Quays, cycle down Conygham Road, across Island bridge and go into park at small gate (Chapelizod Gate I think its called) and some climbing up to Knockmaroon Gate or keep going straight a little further onto right turn for White’s Gate exit (as already mentioned in first option).

Knockmaroon Gate will bring you down the Strawberry beds with some speed ramps which also slows cars down which is good. I never find it too bad here car wise....
White’s gate will bring you out around by the College and eventually onto and out by Castleknock GAA and Hotel on the Luttrellstown Road and then on for Westmanstown direction…

If I am feeling particularly energetic I will sometime take a sharp right off Strawberry Beds and go up either Rugged Lane or Somerton Lane to bring me up onto Luttrellstown Road..Testing though:) And surface is a bit testing on Rugged Lane too!

I generally turn right at the bad bend before Westmanstown and go across the rail tracks and thru Barberstown Lane to bring me onto Barnhill Road..

You have lots of options from there really..Nice spin on a summer evening!

Could try the Grand Canal via Lucan. I've taken a few Sat/Sun morning spins in along it and although you've to contend with a few gates and crossing the road at Clondalkin, Kylemore Rd and at Blackhorse Inn, I consider it a straightforward ride. Downhill in the morning, not so in the evening
Lucan to Portobello segment is doable in under 30 mins (Strava).
12th Lock bridge upgrade at Lucan Sarsfields just means a short detour along Haydens Lane to the red footbridge.

Grand Canal option.

I also cycle from Easton area to town on my commute , I go in the N4 all the way , including the chapalizod bypass , the only dodgy part on the way in is crossing over the M50 as you’re moving into fast moving traffic , you could go over the footbridge , but I tend not to as I’m generally pushed for time .
On the return commute it’s N4 all the way home too , Its much safer on the way home as there is no crossing lanes to get over the M50 , although I tend to stay out in the traffic lane when crossing the M50 as there is always glass and debris washed onto the side of the road that has caused me a few punctures .

I cycle maynooth to Harcourt at 2/3 times a week. I've tried a few different routes recently as I found I was getting a lot of hassle by taking the bus lane on the n4. I tried the grand canal , I'll try it again but I have to say it's mind numbing. For eastbound I've now resorted to n4 but using most of the cycle lanes - though they are a bit of a disgrace. For westbound I can't recommend the n4, it is ok once you get past the Liffey valley overpass but too much stress before that at each turnoff. Ive changed up and go strawberry beds , phoenix park to skip chapelizod then down past the anglers rest, as others have mentioned it's not so bad because the ramps slow cars a lot. Then after climbing westmanstown hill on past confey, back of intel, carton. Last few times I've taken the canal at the next bridge.. it's fun on a road bike but I think I will leave the canal for an early morning commute on the MTB when the days get a longer.

buffalo wrote: »

The one downside has been the fumes. It wasn't as noticeable early yesterday morning, but today and yesterday evening felt like I was chewing exhaust.

Noise and fumes... It is incredibly noisy, the constant drone.