The
day started of bright and with promising blue skies, always a good sign with
the sun burning off the early morning mist. But as I prepared to set off,
easing the bike off the centre stand, I wasn’t looking forward to the motorway
part of the journey up to Derry. For me, that motorway is devoid of soul and
simply a stretch of tarmac to be endured before reaching your destination. The
trucks out of Belfast buffeted me with the massive wash from their
aerodynamically inefficient design. I powered up the Glenshane Pass eager to
get to Kivi’s house as soon as I could only stopping outside Dungiven for fuel
but looking back at the majestic Sperrin Mountains I felt more calm than I had
on the motorway. I arrived to find Kivi’s BMW R1100GS sitting outside his
house, seemingly the ideal companion bike for my Triumph Tiger. Decisions
though had to be made; should we head into Donegal or take the legendary North
(Causeway) Coast bike run? We settled on the Causeway Coast run – this road is,
anecdotally, one of the best biking roads in Europe and it certainly has a
charm of its own. For me, there are two distinct parts or sections to the ride,
the Glens of Antrim section which is more mountainous and green and the north causeway
section which is, as the name suggests, more cliff hugging overlooking the sea.
We
set off from Derry and I was glad of the breeze the riding offered as the sun’s
heat was amplified when you were still in the bike leathers. Heading out of
Derry towards Coleraine you can’t wait to pass through the series of endless
round-a-bouts, heading towards Greysteel. This is another town that, for me, is
gloomy both architecturally but also spiritually. During the troubles there
was, of course, the horrific events that took place in the town, perhaps this
hangs over it, I am not sure. All I know is that I couldn’t wait to hit the
Coleraine Mountain. The road is flanked in parts by the forest and the
proximity of the trees enhances your sense of speed. The trees give way to
brownish long grass and heathers, more open and wind-swept. The bends were
taken with ease, sweeping effortlessly left then right, punctuated with long
undulating straights where the throttles were definitely opened.
The Promenade
We arrived at Coleraine, the roads busy with bank holiday traffic and day-trippers, stopping at lights was almost unbearable in the heat so I was glad when we were on the Portstewart Road, taking in part of the North West 200 circuit. We stopped on the promenade, parking the bikes up beside a plethora of other machines particularly sport and racing bikes (Kawasaki Ninjas [ZX10R’s], Honda Fireblades etc), but there were also larger cruisers and a woman who turned up on a stealthy looking Harley Davidson, that distinctive ‘bwap bwap’ of the V-Twin. The town was bunged, people understandably taking advantage of the hot weather that seems to come all too infrequently here but this made walking down the pavement in the awkward and bulky biking gear something of a task. A coffee and food pit stop was required – I hadn’t eaten breakfast and desperately needed something to eat. Bike forums are awash with advice to ensure you stop for something to eat and drink, especially to help keep your concentration levels up. A stuffed croissant and caramel square certainly did the trick for me.
The
journey from Portstewart towards Portrush was frustrating, bank holiday drivers
were pootling along at 20mph. Past the golf course, I was aware that much of
the traffic would be turning off the Causeway route towards the main roads back
to Belfast direction. But there remained a slow Jaguar driven by an elderly
gentleman who was clearly busy pointing out the views to his wife, the tight
blind turns made overtaking him impossible for approximately 2 miles, so rather
than getting over excited I decided to take in the spectacular views myself. That
section of road is mid way up a cliff, so you have almost vertical views down
to the beaches and sea, which in the sunlight was a turquoise shade of blue.
The road sweeps from cliff edge to more inland and then back to the sea edge,
with thrilling corners almost every other turn. Especially on these bank
holiday weekends, you have to pick your way through the traffic, but this is no
real chore given the power and torque of the bikes.
Kivi
took the lead and took a left turn off that I had never been down before, the
speed slowed and we passed a small picturesque white church and associated
graveyard. It seemed to be perched in the landscape, alone but somehow proud and
noble. The road was like spaghetti corner after corner almost doubling back as
the road meandered its way down the dunes. We arrived at a cove, stunningly
beautiful – this was Ballintoy Cove. We dismounted to see the same volcanic
rock formations as the main Giant’s Causeway, with white chalk outcrops on the
beach laden with flint. The whole place was simply stunning – the small harbour
looked like a haven with a canoeist sitting on the mirror still water. This was
the location (along with Ballintoy Harbour) for several sets on HBO’s Game of
Thrones (you can see why they come here to film!). We sat and let the sun hit
our faces, the world’s problems drifting away as the noise of the other people
there faded into the gentle lapping of the waves on the rocky outcrops.
We duly set off again, hugging the coastline with Torr Head protruding into the Irish Sea in the distance; Scotland’s rugged landscape clearly visible and was almost touchable on this clear day. It looked like it was simply another location along the road we were on, rather than a boat ride away! I was at one with the bike, flowing around the corners the machine and I seemingly one entity. It is at moments like this that I understand why I love being on two wheels so much, the utter freedom – my soul soaring like the birds of prey above my head. Just outside Ballycastle, a large bird of prey flew directly perpendicular to my path, I could swear that time slowed slightly. I don’t know what it was, but it had an exceptionally large hooked yellow beak with a mainly brown body and white[ish] head. Some people think it was a large buzzard (which are plentiful around that area), others that it was a white-tailed sea eagle (given the sheer size of it). Whatever it was, I felt privileged to have seen it at such close quarters, although it was strange – I never felt panicked given how close we were to each other, I always knew the bird was in control had judged my speed so it was a joyful experience.
We pulled into another bike filled section of pavement in Ballycastle, even more so than Portstewart there appeared to be standing room only. Three bikers pulled up and the craic was, as they say, ‘Ninety’. Everyone, though, was admiring a biker who pulled up on a new Yamaha Tenere 1200, myself included. The thing genuinely looked like it could go all around the world! It was here that Kivi and I parted company leaving me to continue on the Glens of Antrim route on my own. But I wasn't overly sad about it; the journey always gives me head space. Outside Ballycastle lies Bonamargy Friary, a beautiful little friary that you would almost miss if you weren't keeping an eye out. You ascend towards Ballypatrick Mountain – another open windswept landscape - the shades of brown you more often associate with Scotland and the Highlands rather than Ireland. The descent is into a wood shaded glen, a lush green with roads that sweep one way then another. I have no doubt I had a huge grin on my face and here, on this section, I was the only person on the road. Outside Glenariffe perched on top of a hillock beside the road is Red Castle – it’s position like some over-seeing guide before you sweep through the rock cut tunnel. The road here follows the coastline, indeed for most of it (save passing through the small villages) the sea is literally right beside you. It was at this point that the sun was beginning to set, adding a lovely reddish hue to the sky. I was, in that moment, truly happy.
I
uploaded the route to Wikiloc: http://en.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=6617804
