Royal Canal Greenways

[ronankearneyle]

I'm doing the royal tomorrow (wed 06-sep) starting Dublin with a couple of friends. Not sure how far we're going. Leisurely pace, all day, starting phibsboro 815am.

This Saturday, I'm planning to do the grand from Shannon Harbour back to Dublin. Solo mission. Anyone at a loose end can jump on either of these

[GH-SB75D]

I'm doing the royal tomorrow (wed 06-sep) starting Dublin with a couple of friends. Not sure how far we're going. Leisurely pace, all day, starting phibsboro 815am.
This Saturday, I'm planning to do the grand from Shannon Harbour back to Dublin. Solo mission. Anyone at a loose end can jump on either of these

Cool! Not sure if you are friends on FB with Ronan "Hoppo" Hopkins, he's currently doing a trip from Grand canal docks to the Shannon, looks like a great adventure!

[Mr. Enduro]

Good time of the year for this, I'll do one of them in the next few weeks.

[Mr. Enduro]

Christ, life got in the way of this! Hoping to do the Grand Canal Way this Friday if life doesn't get in the way again....where's the best place to start, Lucan road bridge, Portobello, the sea!?

[keith]

I hope you’ve food and accommodation waiting for you at the other end! I only know a small section from my commute - jump on at Kylemore Road bridge (near Giant store) and there’s only one road crossing for 7.5km until 12th lock south of Lucan. That’s the end of the road bike surface though - MTB from there on. Or you could start at the original start - 1st lock, where the Luas crosses. Fab weather for it. Good luck #Timmons!

[Mr. Enduro]

Have a lift up to The Red Cow Hotel so plan to cycle back into town, where do the tow paths start, Portobello? Or do I spin to Grand Canal dock which is the very, very start?

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[CmcG]

Alrite Stevo, I did part of this last summer on the cx bike which was perfect for it. I started in Ringsend and took the canal all the way to Sallins and then back to Ringsend the same way. It was a great spin.
As far as i remember its tarmac from Grand Canal dock all the way until past Lucan although quite a few gates to cross though until you get that far. It was mostly grassy canal bank from then on.
Enjoy!

[ronankearneyle]

The grand canal cycle is an amazing day out on the bike. If you have the time, I'd try and do all the Dublin bits. It makes a nice contrast to the peace and quiet of the bog. Get your selfie at the "Grand Anal C*cks" big sign in town. If you're going end to end, Shannon Harbour is the middle of nowhere. It's not a town, I don't remember even a shop. Would you consider going the other direction, figure out an early lift to Offaly

[keith]

If you're going end to end, Shannon Harbour is the middle of nowhere. It's not a town, I don't remember even a shop.

I’ve heard there’s McIntrye’s pub & grocery, and loads of people living in barges. Nowt else.

[Mr. Enduro]

Cheers lads, going to go to Grand canal dock and start from there. Is there tow paths from there or are the a little further on?

[keith]

Cheers lads, going to go to Grand canal dock and start from there. Is there tow paths from there or are the a little further on?

Yep, cycle path all the way. You’ve streets to cross, but it’s mostly segregated from car traffic. You country folk don’t get up to the big smoke much.

[Mr. Enduro]

Grand canal done and dusted on Friday! Started in Loughlinstown, cycled into grand canal dock, had a look at the Liffey and on I went. City bit was nice cos it was really early, very little hustle and bustle, out to the beautiful Ballyfermot, hit with a headwind that i had to fight with for the day, before I knew it was having coffee at Cliff at Lyons, then onto Hazelhatch. After that it just got monotonous, another lock, another bridge, 20/30k sections of long grass to plough through. Very little life on the river, only met two barges. Bog bits were nice but tow paths were rough with long grass, got to Shannon Harbour at 3 o'clock for a well deserved pint and the pub was shut! So overall, a 150km spin with 400 mtrs of climbing, some wonderful parts and views but too repetitive for me, the headwind for the day way annoying, glad to do it and glad when it was over!

[keith]

Wow, 3pm .. that’s some going! 400m climbing in 150km - that’s a bit different to your usual spins alright. Well done.

[harri]

Steveo it sounds like a stage of the Tour de France ����

[CmcG]

Nice one Steve, fair play to you, that's a good spin!
Its on my list to do...sometime!