Antrim Coastal Route

The bike is now taxed, insured, MOT'd and fully road legal, so with this in mind I was on the bus on my way up to Derry on Wednesday (6th April) to collect her from Kivi's garage....the plan was to drive the bikes up to Belfast taking in the Causeway Coastal Route. The day started overcast, with angry looking clouds, but the sun was trying to burn through. By the time I arrived in Derry, although it was still cloudy, you could feel the heat on your back. About 11am, we suited up and left the city, taking the route to Coleraine. I was wearing my new AGV helmet too, and I noticed that the noise level was noticeably lower, but also I could hear, properly and clearly my bikes engine note. It made the ride so much more comfortable. On the way to Coleraine, I noticed, for the first time on the 650, the cross-winds. This is not something I am used to and I struggled at times. The bike(s) are light, and perhaps because of this more susceptible to the wind, and perhaps this exaggerates the effect on the bike. This is something I'll have to get used to but it is, initially at any rate, quite disconcerting!!

We decided in Portstewart to call in to Ferndale Avenue....where we lived during our MSc in UUC....the house hadn't changed at all. The new resident (Stephen) invited us in, and the memories came flooding back. Flashbacks to being a tad "wasted" and good times. It's amazing how a place, but more particularly smells can bring back past memories. We then set off down Portstewart's Promenade, only to hit re-tarring of the roads (probably for the NW 200), the bike squirmed....and I was glad of the new rear Enduro style tyre!We headed on past Portrush, up past White Rocks and Dunluce Castle, but the coast road hugs the cliff, and the view was amazing (the sky was clear and blue) this made the water look turquoise and almost tropical. The sun glinted off the volcanic granite and basalt, the sand looked almost white and water so inviting....I could have gone for a swim!! I noticed that although I was leaning into the corners well....not as well as the more experienced Kiv's ahead, but I was pleased with my corner speeds. On the coast road, the sea and cliffs are to your left, the rolling glacial glens to your right, and on a day like this I firmly believe that Ireland is one of (if not THE) most beautiful places on earth! The difficulty was still quite strong coss-winds....these had the effect of "washing" the bike to one side or another, one more than one occasion the leg came off the foot peg to act as ballast! We parked up in Ballycastle to rest, stretch the legs and take in the view of Torr Head....a headland protruding into the sea. We continued along the back coastal road, when we approached a corner.....I leant in....a cross wind washed the bike sideways.....and I could see I was going to fast at this point.....I headed straight on. Thank the powers that be there was a large grass run-off....and this is what I ran into. the bike stayed upright, slowing nice and gradually....but the back wheel was dug in up to the chain in grass and mud. This is my first "off" and not an experience I wish to repeat!!

The Causeway Coast Road and Glens (www.ireland.com)

I got out and continued over the glens towards the coastal towns of Cushendun and Cushendall....picture postcard locations, full of history, old ruined castles and forts. But I was tentative. I caught up with Kivi, but as he said I looked like I was taking some of the corners sideways....inevitable after the scare! We pulled over in Cushendall for a bite to eat, sitting on the stone bridge to eat. This is what mymind conjures when it thinks of a bike road trip. Romanticizied perhaps, but it is possible, therefore why should you accept anything less? The roads winding up the Glens of Antrim were, frankly, breathtaking; huge waterfalls immediately to your right hand side, a view across the valley below to the next glen on your left. Phenomenal! That is the only word for it! I wish I could have stopped to take a picture, but it simply wasn't possible. From here we alas took a wrong turn, and were heading towards Ballymena. The cross winds were again taking all my concentration to battle. I need more experience with these, most definitely! The motorway beckoned, and both Kivi and I noticed that the bikes top end does appear to be around 70mph. These bikes are not designed for motorway use....on the "A" and "B" roads they are the best machines for the job....no doubt about it...the low end torque of the thumper engines means they are unbeatable. But for motorway cruising....get something else. But the idea of having to take these sorts of roads instead of the motorway(s) isn't exactly bad! And there'll be no tears if this has to be the case. Coincidently, Easy Rider was on later that evening! Perfect!