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Northern Ireland Tour.


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#1 Riggers

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Posted 15 January 2018 - 06:06 pm

Hi guys,

 

Myself and a little band of fellow explorers will be taking a tour of Northern Ireland this summer and I wondered if any fellow Carpers had any hints and tips?

 

I'd be glad of any advice, such as places to go, things to do and things to avoid together with any tips on generally biking over there,

 

Cheers all

 

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#2 Muppdog

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Posted 15 January 2018 - 06:30 pm

North coast is good. Giant's Causeway (not giant and not unique but worth seeing). Maybe plan to be here when any of the road races are on. That is spectacular! Across the Sperrins to Donegal via the lakes rather than main roads. Wild!
Remember you will be from one side to the other within two hours or so.

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#3 PICARD

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Posted 15 January 2018 - 06:38 pm

Watching this with interest. Going in May. If you're in Belfast, the Titanic Quarter is a good half day off the bike if you're looking for a break.
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#4 CrashTestDuffy

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Posted 15 January 2018 - 07:55 pm

Same here Captain, heading over there last weekend in April for 5 days to do a wee tour also.

#5 Favs

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Posted 15 January 2018 - 08:35 pm

I enjoyed working North & South in 1993 although a short haircut and no local accent made some folk wary of us.


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#6 trevyam

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Posted 15 January 2018 - 09:34 pm

Take your pick....

 

http://www.bestbikin...--___52796.html

 

Also, NW200 week begins 13-19 May.....which means lots of bikes and police bikers too out in force(!) If you can fit in watching a practice session or actual race days, definitely worth it. 

 

Bushmills Whiskey Distillery tour is worth a break from the bike

 

And, pack your wet gear...it's Ireland, those 40 shades of green happen for a reason! :rolleyes:

 

Cross the 'border' (you may not notice it!) and take in some of the Wild Atlantic Way if you can...stunning scenery and great roads on a par with the Antrim Coast Road (imho). 

 

Finally, short haircuts and non-local accents....maybe more of a 'thing' 25 years ago and less of a 'thing' these days.....the locals love biker tourists - we invented road racing after all!   :lol:

 

Enjoy the craic and a pint or 2 of the Black Stuff  :good:  


t


#7 Riggers

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Posted 15 January 2018 - 11:01 pm

Very many thanks for all comments so far guys. Keep em coming!

 

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#8 trevini

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Posted 16 January 2018 - 07:08 am

Ballintoy harbour has a cake shop. 


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#9 CrashTestDuffy

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Posted 16 January 2018 - 12:08 pm


 

Also, NW200 week begins 13-19 May.....which means lots of bikes and police bikers too out in force(!) If you can fit in watching a practice session or actual race days, definitely worth it. 

 

 

This, if you can time it right. Went over with a few of my old rally club for my 30th a decade ago and it was glorious. It is pretty much gridlocked for the week though and accomodation is hard to come by (the B&B we got in Portrush had a 4 year waiting list or something daft for that time of year).

 

Also in that neck of the woods, it's almost obligatory to stop in at http://www.joeydunlo...k/joeys_bar.htm



#10 Catteeclan

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Posted 16 January 2018 - 07:59 pm

Me and Mandi are going over for the NW again. I can also confirm there are cake shops.


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#11 trevini

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Posted 16 January 2018 - 08:43 pm

I reckon you should go to the cake shop at Ballintoy Harbour and raise a Lumpy Bumpy in memory of Moose as it was his favourite cake stop when we were there.

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#12 Catteeclan

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Posted 17 January 2018 - 07:03 am

Just had a look at the pics, I can see the attraction.


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#13 ChrisG

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Posted 17 January 2018 - 11:52 am

Another vote for the cake shop at Ballintoy harbour, well worth a visit.

The road out to Tor Head is slightly off the main Antrim Coast route but a great ride.

Worth having a hunt for the Irish get together thread from a few years back as Paddy organised some great rideouts.

Edited by ChrisG, 17 January 2018 - 11:52 am.

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#14 Matlock

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Posted 17 January 2018 - 10:42 pm

Ballintoy harbour has a cake shop. 

It has the greatest cakeshop in the known universe. And it is in a very picturesque location - assuming it's not raining. I've been several times, here's some of my tips:

  • Get of the ferry, turn right out of Belfast, keeping the sea to your right. Keep going until you're back at Belfast. Repeat as time permits.
  • Take waterproofs.
  • Take a camera.
  • Eat an Irish breakfast each morning with all the bread options. You won't need another meal until the next morning.
  • Try and time your visit to take in an Irish road race, the smaller ones are real community affairs, the big ones are more slick, but they're all an incredible spectacle.
  • The water is safe to drink, the Guiness less so.

Edited by Matlock, 17 January 2018 - 10:43 pm.

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#15 Riggers

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Posted 18 January 2018 - 09:23 am

Very many thanks for all the contributions guys, everything suggested is most welcome, especially the cake stop!

 

I've finished my initial planning of the holiday now and one thing I immediately found out was that finding accommodation in N.I. exactly where and when you want it is very, very difficult. Places like Port Stewart are almost impossible. So my original plans of stops in Port Stewart, Omagh and Belfast have had to change to Larne, LonDerry, and Belfast (with great, great difficulty). Of course this is made much more difficult when looking for somewhere with bike parking for four, as most of the City Centre hotels have no parking facilities at all.

 

Anyway without giving the game away of exactly where we'll be and when (although I will if you PM me) we'll be at a lovely little hotel outside of Larne, a national chain in Londonderry, and a great looking B&B in the Belfast suburbs. All that comes after one night stay in Dumfries on the journey from Hull to Cairnryan, and another stay at the same place on the way back.

 

Initial plans of what to see etc are 1) The cake shop at Ballintoy!  2) The coast road in general, 3) Joey Dunlop's pub, 4) Giant's causeway. 5) The rope bridge 6) The Sperrins 7) Donegal generally and of course all the usual Titanic stuff etc etc in Belfast. We'll be there for 2 weeks which should give us nice relaxed easy peasey holiday.

 

Keep the contributions coming guys because even if you're not in the list above I've noted everything you've said (that sounds a bit like a BBC phone in show but I do mean it).

 

Cheers all.

 

Riggers.



#16 trevyam

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Posted 18 January 2018 - 11:50 pm

Riggers....

 

Just in case you're unaware Carrick-A Rede is operating a 'need to book a time slot' since last year. Used to be you could just rock up. I think it's been growing in popularity and this is a way to manage long queues.

 

https://www.national...w-timed-tickets

 

Also an addition to 'great cake stops' is The Bothy, also worth a stop and right on the Antrim Coast Road close to Ballintoy  :cake eating:

 

https://www.bothycof...white-park-bay/

 

If any in your group are Game of Thrones fans, a lot of it was filmed around Ballintoy harbour / Dark Hedges and also around Murlough Bay.

 

http://www.ireland.c...-coastal-route/

 

https://www.newslett...-2018-1-8274079

 

 

Personally, I wouldn't miss the opportunity to ride down to Murlough Bay - spectacular scenery ....if you go, ride all the way down to the lower carpark. Fantastic.

 

http://www.causewayc...rlough-bay.html

 

Looks like you've gotten the accommodation sorted. 

 

Love planning a bike tour over the dark winter nights! :good:


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#17 Riggers

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Posted 19 January 2018 - 09:27 am

Riggers....

 

Just in case you're unaware Carrick-A Rede is operating a 'need to book a time slot' since last year. Used to be you could just rock up. I think it's been growing in popularity and this is a way to manage long queues.

 

https://www.national...w-timed-tickets

 

Also an addition to 'great cake stops' is The Bothy, also worth a stop and right on the Antrim Coast Road close to Ballintoy  :cake eating:

 

https://www.bothycof...white-park-bay/

 

If any in your group are Game of Thrones fans, a lot of it was filmed around Ballintoy harbour / Dark Hedges and also around Murlough Bay.

 

http://www.ireland.c...-coastal-route/

 

https://www.newslett...-2018-1-8274079

 

 

Personally, I wouldn't miss the opportunity to ride down to Murlough Bay - spectacular scenery ....if you go, ride all the way down to the lower carpark. Fantastic.

 

http://www.causewayc...rlough-bay.html

 

Looks like you've gotten the accommodation sorted. 

 

Love planning a bike tour over the dark winter nights! :good:

 

Some great stuff here Trev! Many thanks for taking the trouble to forward it on.  :)

 

Riggers




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