Northern Ireland - Day Trip route ideas?

[MotoGoLoco]

Last minute commitments not-withstanding, I fancy taking a day trip over the soggy stuff from Cairnryan to Belfast at the weekend (on one of those Stena Motorcyclist Day Trip return tickets).

It appears I'm the only one in the office that hasn't covered Ireland (embarrassingly North OR South) by bike so any suggestions, must see/must ride/must do's that can be seen/done within 8-10 ish hours ride loop of Belfast would be great, please.

Should get there about 9:45am, and will aim to catch the 7:30pm boat back across. Everything else is very much open to ideas.

Cheers in advance,
James

 

[Timolgra]

Got to be the Antrim Coast or Mourne Mountains surely.

 

[DrFarkoff]

Antrim Coast and Mournes is two different directions

Question 1) What Bike are you taking ....

Question 2) Do you have a pillion that likes to see stuff but only likes short hops

Question 3) Do you want nice places to Eat too

With the Time Schedule

Choose Either North OR South

If you do the North The Coast Route up to CushenDun (with a couple of off main route additions but paved roads I can suggest for you)

On out to Torr head and on up to the Giants causeway Bushmills Maybe a quick run over to Portrush The back over some splendid scenery I can suggest (perfect for Trial style bikes but a tad rough on a sportsbike!)

Or go South Blast Down the A1 and again we can supply scenic routes over the Cooley Mountains to Carlingford to O'Hares for a Dollop of some lovely chowder or a Steak or something equally delectable

P.M. if you want routes

 

[DrFarkoff]

Hopefully Useful and In the "Ireland£"

Discovering Ireland by Tuned Inn

And an Auto updating weather report which may be handy

 

[MotoGoLoco]

Question 1) What Bike are you taking ....

*I'll be on a Tiger 800 - all-day comfy but it's no off-roader. (* I know, I know! )

Question 2) Do you have a pillion that likes to see stuff but only likes short hops?

No pillion - it'll just be me

Question 3) Do you want nice places to Eat too ?

If you've anywhere in particular that's well worth a stop, yes please. I'm equally happy with a ham & cheese roll under the seat and a 'that'll do for a cuppa' stop along the way though.

With the Time Schedule

Choose Either North OR South

If you do the North The Coast Route up to CushenDun (with a couple of off main route additions but paved roads I can suggest for you)

On out to Torr head and on up to the Giants causeway Bushmills Maybe a quick run over to Portrush The back over some splendid scenery I can suggest (perfect for Trial style bikes but a tad rough on a sportsbike!)

Or go South Blast Down the A1 and again we can supply scenic routes over the Cooley Mountains to Carlingford to O'Hares for a Dollop of some lovely chowder or a Steak or something equally delectable

P.M. if you want routes

Thanks, this is a great start! I'm under no illusions that I'll get to see and do everything in a day, and will be planning a proper raid come Spring, PM coming your way re. routes just now.

Cheers guys - much appreciated.

JM

 

[mr_magicfingers]

Antrim coast road, without a doubt. Up the coast from Belfast, via Fairhead cliffs, http://www.discovernorthernireland....-Northern-Ireland-Ballintoy-Ballycastle-P2829 (though the bridge is now a fixed cable bridge, not the rope bridge it used to be when I first visited it in a gale years ago), stop off at http://www.bushmills.com/ for a tour and a dram and, of course, you can't go up there without visiting http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/giants-causeway/

Magnificent roads and sights, and will be a proper Grand Day Out.

 

[Pablo1]

View attachment IRELAND DAY 6 TUE.gdb

if you have a garmin you might use this

 

[DrFarkoff]

Sheesh!! Foreigners giving advice one where to go in Norn Iron

WTF

Right here ya go From Belfast this keeps you nearby but off the Main roads

With Some SPECTACULAR views that you wont get on any tourist map

For Lunch Mortons Fish and Chipper in Ballycastle A MOST bodacious Fish Dash Location

Never Mind Bushmills and all that Tourist Tat!

These wee Roads will take you where 99% of those who visit these shores will never see

LINKY

P.S. I know it doesn't go back to Belfast from there "but" you have Main Roads within spittin distance or you can play and go around Lough Neagh and then back to Belfast I'd say 6 and a 1/2 to 7 hours to do the route to there including a fuel stop and a Lunch stop and a couple of photo stops

 

[DrFarkoff]

All of the routes are easily passable on Road tyres and To Be honest some of the views are Absolutely awesome "provided" you get a dry clear day

Warning They are country routes so a fair degree of discretion should be applied to allow for farm machinery on blind bends and older folks driving slow etc

For the most part the roads are fairly fast open and curvy and twisty in places

 

[MotoGoLoco]

That looks excellent - thank you kindly!!

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

I dream of Mortons Fish and Chips....

 

[DrFarkoff]

Right Bin You said it

Whens the Dash??

I dream of Mortons Fish and Chips....

 

[Jockser]

Definitely North Coast. Don't miss Torr Head, Ballintoy or Giants Causeway.
And come back next year for a longer spin

Right Bin You said it

Whens the Dash??

I'm in too, good man Bin

 

[Daisy Duke]

It's hard to turn down a fish dash, it's been a while

On another note, I'd head for the Mourne Mountain and Strangford Lough area, it's absolutely stunning (I'm biased though, I live there).

10 miles south of Belfast you reach Comber, from there you ride across to the top of the Ards Peninsula and down the coast road (much fun) to Portaferry. For a couple of quid put yourself and the bike on the Strangford ferry, a five minute crossing to Strangford. From there follow the coast road to Newcastle and right on round to Rostrevor. From Rostrevor head straight up into the mountains and take in the views and forests. Then it's no more than an hour back to the boat.

 

[Flintlock]

Just to throw another route into the mix, Belfast, A1 south to Banbridge, Gilford, Tandragee, Armagh, Caledon, Aughnacloy, Augher, Clougher, Fivemiletown, Enniskillen, Belleek, Kesh, Ederny, Lack, Omagh,,Beragh, Sixmilecross, Carrickmore, Dungannon, then a dash back up the M1 to Belfast

This route would take you through 4 counties and includes a lap of Lough Erne

Whichever route you take, enjoy and i hope the weather is good to you

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

Fish dash - my next chance will be 'round Christmas, why not!

 

[Hairnet600]

I dream of Mortons Fish and Chips....

id spring for them for ya

 

[davidgibson999]

Fish dash, Christmas, ballycastle. Sounds good to me. Thanks Bin!