Some might say that a coast run along the Causeway coast in January was madness....but why not? The plans had been set I was to meet with my old friend Kivi and Joe The Mod in Carrickfergus....a medieval town on the shores of Belfast Lough. The weather had been overcast, but was clearing as the morning progressed and with the winter riding gear on (and heated grips) how hard could it be?
Joe The Mod (who I am assured genuinely loves his Vespas etc) turned up on a lovely white BMW R1100RT, Kivi on his newly purchased BMW R100PD/GS and of course I was on my Triumph Tiger 885i. The Causeway Coast run genuinely offers the biker everything they could want, there are long straights, sweeping bends and corners, tight twists as well as by-the-sea roads, mountains, steep gradients and downward slopes. The variation in such a relatively short distance is immense, and I was told that the route was recently voted (somewhere) as the 7th best motorbike route in the world, which doesn't seem as far fetched as it sounds.
After leaving Carrickfergus and (I'm sorry) but the inaptly named village of Eden, we were on the coast road proper. You start to climb as you head towards Whitehead, and before you know it, the road is hewn out of the rock face and the sea is (far) beneath you to your right, the bend sweeps as you go through a rock cut tunnel and you can't help the temptation to gun it just to hear the overrun in the exhaust in the tunnel. Childish, but that's what it's all about! The roads were slick in places, but as ever, the bike gripped well, still managing to 'bite' into the tarmac as I twisted the throttle in places. The further up the coast road you head, in my opinion, the nicer it becomes. Towards Glenarm, the road is again cut, it seems, from the solid rock cliffs; the road sweeps left and right, but flows so that you are almost in a trance as you lean into the corners. There are indigenous woods immediately to the left, coming right down to the roadside, but the road resembles a black lace lain over a boulder field. I know that might sound bizarre, but it really does.
We were diverted off the road up a steep climb and through a wooded area....it seemed that it enveloped me, the moss covered trees and hint of mist made you feel like you had stepped back in time somehow, with the bike's headlights occasionally illuminating brilliant greens and browns. I could see the rainbow colours of some oil spots on the tarmac, and I felt a little slide on more than one occasion....but nothing that got me concerned or worried.
Once passed Cushendall, we ascended the mountain pass towards Ballypatrick Forest. I think in technical terms, this is probably the most challenging part of the run, the climb is very steep in places and the corners severs, but I suppose for that reason, it is the most fun. The Glens of Antrim rise majestically behind you, but your mind is concentrating on taking in the waterfalls, moss covered rocks and darting birds that are immediately all around. The road then opens, and you find yourself on an open moor and atop a mountain, the winds rushing all around you. But the road also straightens out and you are able to open the throttle. For a time, the corners are no-where near as severe, and therefore the speed you take them at increases.
There are literally tonnes of archaeological sites all
around you if you wanted to stop and look. The colours of the moor seem
to me to be every conceivable shade of brown. I think in these sorts of
places the colours of Ireland and Scotland are very similar.
We were heading towards Ballycastle, where a coffee stop was the plan....but a toilet stop was also uppermost in my mind! It's funny how one little thing like that can quickly become an obsession on the bike when you know it's getting close.
The road at this stage was cut through a forest, pine I think, but the crests on the straights were agreeable for the suspension and the temptation to truly open the taps is something you have to resist! We passed Bonamargy Friary just outside Ballycastle - well worth a visit if you are in the area. The picture was clearly on a much nicer day, but the now slightly overcast skies made for a more "moody" experience and vibe.
We arrived in Ballycastle and it was still quite light, but at this time of year, you are acutely aware that that won't last for long! But we had promised ourselves a coffee, and the thoughts of a large cup of steaming black were all I could think about. With Torr Head protruding into the sea behind us, we went for our refreshments in a cafe that is perched over the car park for the Rathlin Island ferry. The craic was, as they say, 'ninety'. It was also agreed that these runs were to become a regular feature.....I can't wait.
Something else I can't wait for is the Adventure Bike Rider Rally in May. I think South Down and the Mournes is the venue for that.
We were diverted off the road up a steep climb and through a wooded area....it seemed that it enveloped me, the moss covered trees and hint of mist made you feel like you had stepped back in time somehow, with the bike's headlights occasionally illuminating brilliant greens and browns. I could see the rainbow colours of some oil spots on the tarmac, and I felt a little slide on more than one occasion....but nothing that got me concerned or worried.
Once passed Cushendall, we ascended the mountain pass towards Ballypatrick Forest. I think in technical terms, this is probably the most challenging part of the run, the climb is very steep in places and the corners severs, but I suppose for that reason, it is the most fun. The Glens of Antrim rise majestically behind you, but your mind is concentrating on taking in the waterfalls, moss covered rocks and darting birds that are immediately all around. The road then opens, and you find yourself on an open moor and atop a mountain, the winds rushing all around you. But the road also straightens out and you are able to open the throttle. For a time, the corners are no-where near as severe, and therefore the speed you take them at increases.
We were heading towards Ballycastle, where a coffee stop was the plan....but a toilet stop was also uppermost in my mind! It's funny how one little thing like that can quickly become an obsession on the bike when you know it's getting close.
The road at this stage was cut through a forest, pine I think, but the crests on the straights were agreeable for the suspension and the temptation to truly open the taps is something you have to resist! We passed Bonamargy Friary just outside Ballycastle - well worth a visit if you are in the area. The picture was clearly on a much nicer day, but the now slightly overcast skies made for a more "moody" experience and vibe. We arrived in Ballycastle and it was still quite light, but at this time of year, you are acutely aware that that won't last for long! But we had promised ourselves a coffee, and the thoughts of a large cup of steaming black were all I could think about. With Torr Head protruding into the sea behind us, we went for our refreshments in a cafe that is perched over the car park for the Rathlin Island ferry. The craic was, as they say, 'ninety'. It was also agreed that these runs were to become a regular feature.....I can't wait.
Something else I can't wait for is the Adventure Bike Rider Rally in May. I think South Down and the Mournes is the venue for that.
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