North West 200
Discussion
Did a search but couldn't find anything relevant, so here goes...
Has anyone on here been over to NI to watch the North West 200? I fancy doing it this year & I've managed to find flights, hire car etc at a reasonable price. I was thinking of flying into Belfast International then renting a car & driving up to somewhere probably around Portrush - any suggested places for spectating around there or should I try somewhere else?
What's car parking like at this event? I realise it'll be a hike from wherever I've parked to the actual circuit, but are spaces reasonably easy to come by? I was thinking of driving back to Belfast & staying there overnight - sensible or should I be looking closer to the race?
Any info gladly received!!
Has anyone on here been over to NI to watch the North West 200? I fancy doing it this year & I've managed to find flights, hire car etc at a reasonable price. I was thinking of flying into Belfast International then renting a car & driving up to somewhere probably around Portrush - any suggested places for spectating around there or should I try somewhere else?
What's car parking like at this event? I realise it'll be a hike from wherever I've parked to the actual circuit, but are spaces reasonably easy to come by? I was thinking of driving back to Belfast & staying there overnight - sensible or should I be looking closer to the race?
Any info gladly received!!
How could you not find this?
http://www.northwest200.org/
I've been quite a few times but then again its only 70 miles up the road on the bike for me.
Its tough enough to find accommodation at this time of the year but you might try
http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/
Plenty of hotels and bnbs in Portrush and Portstewart but they will probably be packed out or you could try further afield like Castlerock, Bushmills or Portballantrae.
Parking isnt too bad as far as I recall but there will be traffic wardens everywhere and you may have a bit of a hike to the circuit.
There's plenty of decent spots to watch the racing. We normally choose Black Hill/ Juniper Hill or University Corner.
The NW200 is great fun when its not raining.
We're off to the Cookstown 100 this weekend, if its not raining!
http://www.northwest200.org/
I've been quite a few times but then again its only 70 miles up the road on the bike for me.
Its tough enough to find accommodation at this time of the year but you might try
http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/
Plenty of hotels and bnbs in Portrush and Portstewart but they will probably be packed out or you could try further afield like Castlerock, Bushmills or Portballantrae.
Parking isnt too bad as far as I recall but there will be traffic wardens everywhere and you may have a bit of a hike to the circuit.
There's plenty of decent spots to watch the racing. We normally choose Black Hill/ Juniper Hill or University Corner.
The NW200 is great fun when its not raining.
We're off to the Cookstown 100 this weekend, if its not raining!
I went for the first time last year, and immediately booked to go again this year, it's a fantastic event, I'd say possibly better than the TT!
All of Ireland seems to turn up to enjoy not only the racing but the rest of the Craic that goes with it.
Can't really comment on hotels, viewing etc, as we got a home stay on the coast just up from the pits, and watched from the garden. What I would say is, the drive to and from Belfast takes longer than you would think, traffic post race is a nightmare, you don't move anywhere fast for 3/4 hours, and being there after the races, having a beer, watching the shows, is all part of it.
Try to get accommodation as close as you can, remember to pack waterproofs, an umbrella and a radio, and be prepared to walk.
All of Ireland seems to turn up to enjoy not only the racing but the rest of the Craic that goes with it.
Can't really comment on hotels, viewing etc, as we got a home stay on the coast just up from the pits, and watched from the garden. What I would say is, the drive to and from Belfast takes longer than you would think, traffic post race is a nightmare, you don't move anywhere fast for 3/4 hours, and being there after the races, having a beer, watching the shows, is all part of it.
Try to get accommodation as close as you can, remember to pack waterproofs, an umbrella and a radio, and be prepared to walk.
I went a couple of years ago. Really great event. We did what you're suggesting, but stayed too far out of town to enjoy the merriment.
We watched from the golf course near the start line, which was cool as you can walk freely along even when the roads are closed. Also saw the Battle of Britain flight from the top of a cliff, which was cool as the planes were nearly at our level out to sea at one point
We watched from the golf course near the start line, which was cool as you can walk freely along even when the roads are closed. Also saw the Battle of Britain flight from the top of a cliff, which was cool as the planes were nearly at our level out to sea at one point
I went a 2/3 years back. We saw about 20 minutes of racing before a rider dropped oil about half way round the circuit. That was followed by about 4 hours of standing around in the wind and rain while they tried to clean the roads. The rest of the racing was cancelled in the end and that was that. Major disappointment after spending about £400 on the weekend. It's not like the TT where you're sure of seeing some racing at some point during the week. If there's a problem on the day you might not see anything at all.
I was working at Coolkeeragh power station near Derry while the NW200 was on about three or four years ago; as my van was needed by one of the other guys I went over on the bike. Stayed at the Ramada Da Vinci in Derry (there were a few other bikers staying at the same hotel who I presumed were attending the races) and came back via Stranraer the same day as most of the Brit spectators, I've never seen so many bikes on a ferry! I'd hammered the A75 quite a few times in the van and had long fancied doing it on the bike, sure enough it was a good ride back with no Police presence that I saw - so plenty of scope for playing 
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