I suppose that now a date has been settled I need to give a route some thought. I'm assuming by the talk on the thread that its the Antrim coast road again?
It is a lovely run and I'm probably spoiled by having such easy access to it.
I'm thinking of a slight variation to the route which would take us down some lovely roads and a very short sea voyage before we actually get to the coast road.
We have the choice of the coast road back again or a more inland route. Or a bit of both!
If anyone has any other suggestions or has a place in mind that they would like to be included, speak up now.

Might be down in your neck of the woods, weekend after next, Olaf.
Going to take a couple of days and finish up the Irish Photo rally. Maybe we can meet up for a coffee.

Comberjohn

Great to see you back on. I was looking at numbers and seems a great runout is on the cards. Looks like 8 of us from down south west. Hotel already booked for Corkboy, Bjorn x 2, Pat O'D, 92KK, CluainSi x 2. Also Ringfad, Paul Lipscomb.

What about some of the lesser Roads around the Mourne country John? I've gone "off piste" on two visits to Loughinisland and have yet to find a back road I didn't like. 

Another thought, as a good few have already secured the Kilkeel hotel deal, is to start from there and up the coast to Strangford/ Portaferry (is there still a ferry across there?) and on to Bangor. Just thinking outloud so to speak.

You've got me sussed, Will.
There's a nice road along the coast from Clough through Killough, Ardglass and into Strangford. The road via Downpatrick to Strangford is a nice run, too.
The Strangford ferry runs every half hour and there are a few places I have in mind for a fry up or even just a coffee.
The road to Newtownards is a more pleasant run and has some nice bends.
Just need to work out the timings as it would be easy to take the morning to get to Larne.

Comberjohn wrote:You've got me sussed, Will.
There's a nice road along the coast from Clough through Killough, Ardglass and into Strangford. The road via Downpatrick to Strangford is a nice run, too.
The Strangford ferry runs every half hour and there are a few places I have in mind for a fry up or even just a coffee.
The road to Newtownards is a more pleasant run and has some nice bends.
Just need to work out the timings as it would be easy to take the morning to get to Larne.

This sounds like an excellent idea. There are so many nice oads and places we are spoilt for choice. I do remember so many coastal sights and places. The A2 road from Newry to Klkeel is a nice run too for anyone coming on Saturday morning. Maybe a good place for breakfast?

Just a heads up on the groupon deal. 

There are still a couple of groupons left but the hotel's website won't let you book the dates says "no availability". 

When I emailed them saying I couldn't book online and asking if they had any rooms there was no problem getting one for myself and Alex.

Was chatting to Markz this afternoon when I was in Ballycastle.
He was saying about how much he enjoyed last September's run and I was telling him about this year's. Said he might be able to join us.

John

It would be great if Markzz can come along. Any word of GMcQ at all? Some people are so lucky having Ballycastle within a day's ride out. Any photos to post up???

Olaf

Didn't think you would want to see any photos of my poncey K16.
Heading off on Friday morning and back Sunday evening to try and finish up the Photo Rally. Intend posting all the photos after I work them up a bit.
Heading over to Sligo, down to Achill Island, through Westport, Galway and spending the night at the Hydro Hotel in Lisdoonvarna. £33 for B&B in a 3 star hotel. Where would you get it!
On the Saturday I'm still heading south, crossing the Shannon at Tarbert. Down to Tralee and along the Conor Pass into Dingle.
Then head east through Killarney and stopping at a farmhouse B&B(£30) near Macroom.
On the Sunday morning I'm heading to Kinsale, Youghal and then the run back up home again. Depending on time, I'll either take the M9 or follow the coast. Hoping it doesn't rain too much.
Haven't heard anything about Gerard for a while. Wonder if he wants to sell his K1100?

John

My son took me on a ride out for Father's Day. Then we had lunch in Kinsale. If you set a satnav for the shortest route from Kinsale to Youghal it would take you past my place.

All going well would be nice to meet up for a few minutes. I appreciate your schedule to get home so maybe I might head to Macroom Sunday morning or else meet you at Kinsale. Let me know your tenative arrangements and will find some nice spot for lunch. There is a good and early bar lunch at Trident Hotel on the waterfront in Kinsale and you don't need to book it. If you want a little adventure there is a cross river ferry at Passage West towards Cobh, originally called Queenstown and last stop for Titanic. I will check if lunch can be had there too at the Titanic Centre. A good client has taken over there as Director. Can keep options open depending on your schedule and weather.

I wonder would any other Cork Ks be interested in this little outing. . . I had one in mind as its my son's birthday on Friday so he may just come out if he is not working.

I might have a word with the baker, though Auntie Aga is on holiday for the summer.

Don't worry about the wheaten bread. Much as I love it, if I eat too much I develop an allergic reaction to it.
The idea of meeting up for lunch would be great. I'm happy to fall in with whatever you think would work. I take it your mobile still ends in 15. 
Not on a tight time schedule. The Monday is a bank holiday here and I'm taking it off. So, no hurry back.
I can give you a call when I have a better idea of my schedule.

An additional name for the list of Eccentrics joining the trip next month. Am booked in the hotel and looking forward to the weekend   .
Stephen

Good man, Stephen.
Going to be quite a get together.

sgmayhew wrote:An additional name for the list of Eccentrics joining the trip next month. Am booked in the hotel and looking forward to the weekend   .
Stephen

Stephen that's great news! This is turning out to be a great weekend. Amazing what an internet hotel offer can do!! Looks like we are almost all going to be in the one place.

Let's hope Johns weather stone blows fair for us. !!

92KK K100LT 193214 wrote:I wonder would any other Cork Ks be interested in this little outing. . .

Sorry guys, like the last time, I will be out of the country   .  But this time I will actually be on a K   

I am off to Normandy for a week on Saturday with Irene on the K1100LT.  Circular trip from Rosscoff to Rouen and back via the DDay landing beaches, with a day trip to Suiss-Normandie.  Life just doesn't get any tougher.

On a different note, I came across another West of Ireland rider on the K1100 forum, and pointed him over to this thread. He might make it.   And I told the guy who bought my old K100, so he might do a spur of the moment thing - and the deal is back up on Groupon.

I have been making efforts to get another K75 onto the forum too, after an encounter with a matching K75 yesterday. Called over to Jimmy Ellis in Cork for a coffee and there was a Baja Red K75.

Looks like we are getting a good turn out for our Norn trip. 13 so far and I was thrilled to see Stephen's post that he was coming. I had a rather nice run back down to Dublin with him after the last one. Was quite fun to stop for petrol and meet a few guys coming back from the road racing that was on the same day. Even funnier when one of them said that the bike [Stephens K] had shot past them on the way up earlier in the day....by that stage I had found 5-6000 rpm was indeed nice for a K.

Now wondering will Trapper and Electric Monk make it? Hope you can.!

Corkboy wrote:

92KK K100LT 193214 wrote:I wonder would any other Cork Ks be interested in this little outing. . .

Sorry guys, like the last time, I will be out of the country   .  But this time I will actually be on a K   

I am off to Normandy for a week on Saturday with Irene on the K1100LT.  Circular trip from Rosscoff to Rouen and back via the DDay landing beaches, with a day trip to Suiss-Normandie.  Life just doesn't get any tougher.

On a different note, I came across another West of Ireland rider on the K1100 forum, and pointed him over to this thread. He might make it.   And I told the guy who bought my old K100, so he might do a spur of the moment thing - and the deal is back up on Groupon.

My heart bleeds for you.

Such lengths you have to go to in order to try out that new seat.

All the lovely smooth French roads you have to ride. Then drink all that wine. Not to mention the food. Sounds like a very painful experience. Sounds like you could end up lost and mightn't even make to back to the ferry. We can ask Bikerboy to keep an eye out for you.

Comberjohn wrote:Didn't think you would want to see any photos of my poncey K16.
Heading off on Friday morning and back Sunday evening to try and finish up the Photo Rally. Intend posting all the photos after I work them up a bit.
Heading over to Sligo, down to Achill Island, through Westport, Galway and spending the night at the Hydro Hotel in Lisdoonvarna. £33 for B&B in a 3 star hotel. Where would you get it!
On the Saturday I'm still heading south, crossing the Shannon at Tarbert. Down to Tralee and along the Conor Pass into Dingle.
Then head east through Killarney and stopping at a farmhouse B&B(£30) near Macroom.
On the Sunday morning I'm heading to Kinsale, Youghal and then the run back up home again. Depending on time, I'll either take the M9 or follow the coast. Hoping it doesn't rain too much.
Haven't heard anything about Gerard for a while. Wonder if he wants to sell his K1100?

John

Love to see you. You have the correct phone number too...15!

Love to meet up on Sunday and lunch is a good call. See what way your schedule is, if you are making good progress Youghal might be a bet. Coming from Macroom you may end up in Crookstown/Bandon/Kinsale but its not a long run.

12-2 is best time for lunch but any number of places...Kinsale, Monkstown, Cobh, Youghal and quite a few other smaller places in between. On your plan you may not see this ferry, at Passage West and it makes Cobh [Queenstown] a nice option.



Corkboy is trying out his new seat so will be away. Bjorn is on holiday up your way! 88K is sampling the maritime life.

Olaf.

Comberjohn wrote:Didn't think you would want to see any photos of my poncey K16.
Heading off on Friday morning and back Sunday evening to try and finish up the Photo Rally. Intend posting all the photos after I work them up a bit.
Heading over to Sligo, down to Achill Island, through Westport, Galway and spending the night at the Hydro Hotel in Lisdoonvarna. £33 for B&B in a 3 star hotel. Where would you get it!
On the Saturday I'm still heading south, crossing the Shannon at Tarbert. Down to Tralee and along the Conor Pass into Dingle.
Then head east through Killarney and stopping at a farmhouse B&B(£30) near Macroom.
On the Sunday morning I'm heading to Kinsale, Youghal and then the run back up home again. Depending on time, I'll either take the M9 or follow the coast. Hoping it doesn't rain too much.
Haven't heard anything about Gerard for a while. Wonder if he wants to sell his K1100?

I had a run on a K16 and poncey it ain't. I think it could be  the first Supercar ( Bugatti Veyron,Zonda, McClaren etc) of motorcycling. I will be in your country next week to finish PhotoRally and back to South Pole and a night at the National Rally. If you want to attend my nephews  free biker rally  on this Sat instead of b&b(Camping only) Marquee/bands etc I can pm you details of location etc.

Comberjohn wrote:
On the Sunday morning I'm heading to Kinsale, Youghal and then the run back up home again. Depending on time, I'll either take the M9 or follow the coast. Hoping it doesn't rain too much.

Just back from Armagh, pity I just missed you John - would have been nice to sit down with a cup of tea together. Weather was nice until yesterday....

Hi Bjorn.
Yes, met up with Olaf last night and had a good chat.
Just home at tea time and covered 996 miles since Friday morning.
Some of the roads I was down were a bit scary on the K16 but that's all 24 photos completed for the Photo Rally.
The guy who has the contract for cutting the grass up the middle of those roads in the south must be worth a fortune! 

Depends on whether he cuts the grass or not!!

Comberjohn wrote:Hi Bjorn.
Yes, met up with Olaf last night and had a good chat.
Just home at tea time and covered 996 miles since Friday morning.
Some of the roads I was down were a bit scary on the K16 but that's all 24 photos completed for the Photo Rally.
The guy who has the contract for cutting the grass up the middle of those roads in the south must be worth a fortune! 

  Well done that boy!  I imagine K16 would be a bit of a handful on narrow roads. F650 or smaller is the business for the Photo Rally.  I'm still not finished. Have to complete locations 'oop North. Could be October before I finish

Hi Tom.
Wasn't too bad on the small roads. Once on the move, she's light on her feet. The engine is so flexible that it's the next best thing to an automatic. Down to less than 30mph in sixth and pulls away effortlessly.
Don't know if you've been yet but I found the track up to the Achill Henge the scariest. Very rocky. 
Thought it was bad going up but was terrifying going down again!
Great for covering the distances in between though.
Coming back up from Waterford on the motorway, heated grips and seat on, cruise control set at 80mph(4300rpm), screen up and radio on. Magic!
Even returned an average of 56mpg for the trip.

Comberjohn, do you mean these grassy bits? All neatly trimmed. This is an R road or an L road.

92KK K100LT 193214 wrote:Comberjohn, do you mean these grassy bits? All neatly trimmed. This is an R road or an L road.

You mean an RT road or LT road?

Too narrow for a GS.......


But roads are coded R for regional road and L for Link road. The speed limits are nonsensical but funny.

I live on one of these roads, although much to Comberjohn's disappointment the surface was destroyed in the storms last year and the grass in the middle replaced with tarmac.

That's it....Ferry now booked - Stena Line:

Fri 19 Sep

• Holyhead - Dublin Port: depart 13:50, arrive 17:05 (check in by 12:50)
  

Sun 21 Sep

• Dublin Port - Holyhead: depart 08:20, arrive 11:50 (check in by 07:20)
  

Happy to meet others enroute (M1 toll or Apple Service were mentioned previously) or meet up at the hotel in Kilkeel.
Bit antisocial for the sunday morning, but early start needed to get me home late afternoon.

Ferry benefited from £20 off thanks to 20% off voucher provided by Stena lines for 2 hour delay to my return journey out of Rosslare back on 20 Apr 14 - so that gives me a few more Guinness tokens for the meet. Thank you Stena Line!

Really looking forward to the meet.

Paul

That's excellent. Will sort out arrangements for a meet up along the way.

Hopefully Becky will make the same ferry but she may not be under the same time pressure for the 8.20am ferry on Sunday morning.

That Guinness voucher sounds good. Pays to travel with Stena I guess.

Received a PM from Gerard.
He's had a couple of operations on his ankle over the summer and isn't able to ride a bike for a while. He has parted with his K1100 and now he's suffering from withdrawal symptoms.
Offered him a seat for the day, if he was up for it.

Irish Ferries also have a good deal starting from Monday for one week - 20%  off all sailings until the end of January

Comberjohn wrote:Hi Tom.
Wasn't too bad on the small roads. Once on the move, she's light on her feet. The engine is so flexible that it's the next best thing to an automatic. Down to less than 30mph in sixth and pulls away effortlessly.
Don't know if you've been yet but I found the track up to the Achill Henge the scariest. Very rocky. 
Thought it was bad going up but was terrifying going down again!
Great for covering the distances in between though.
Coming back up from Waterford on the motorway, heated grips and seat on, cruise control set at 80mph(4300rpm), screen up and radio on. Magic!
Even returned an average of 56mpg for the trip.

Not been to Achill yet but not a problem for me. The K16 is a fantastic machine and as you say light of foot. The ultimate combination of luxury and performance coupled with a level of fuel economy that would shame motorcycles half it size. Lucky you to own such a machine.  Def. the Bentley Continental of the motorcycling world
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90w8Gt4qGd0

sgmayhew wrote:Irish Ferries also have a good deal starting from Monday for one week - 20%  off all sailings until the end of January

I booked a ferry crossing before the sale for €386. Now on sale, 20% off, the same crossing is €584!!!!!!!!!!!!

If someone would be kind enough to let me know what the itinery is for the Friday night, I think I can get down to the Kilmorey Arms even if I have to use the Bandit.

ComberJohn - was that you on the road between Seaforde and Clough about 15.45 today (3rd Sept)? I was on my way to work and I thought I saw a gold (bronze?) K16? going the other way.

Not me, unfortunately. Haven't been out since Friday. Was looking after a grandson over the weekend and working since.
Mine's a GT and metallic red, same as my avatar.
I'll be driving down on the Friday night to meet up with the guys. You can cadge a lift with me.
You are more likely to have seen my car around. Black Peugeot 207 with 'John's Driving School' graphics. Retired and got bored.

I'd like to accept that offer please John. What time? Please pm me for a phone number and address.

Dai

That's a good plan.

We expect to be there by 8pm.

I can text Comberjohn when we are leaving our meet up point. will be keeping eye on ferry arrival time. 

I must contact hotel we are all for dinner, about 15 of us, also ask about keeping part of the car park. They were very helpful last year.

Nice to have a welcoming committee!

Olaf

Hello Olaf

I'm looking forward to it. If you're organising dinner I have a minor problem - I don't eat any meat at all. Haven't eaten it for over thirty years.

-Dai

92KK K100LT 193214 wrote:I must contact hotel we are all for dinner, about 15 of us, also ask about keeping part of the car park. They were very helpful last year.

Better tell them you have a bear on the company, with a big, big stomach

Dai

You may not be the only one. How are you on fish?  I will check out the menu but just to let you know it was not a set menu so we had a good choice.

Olaf

Hello Olaf

I'll eat fish but if the menu says 'salmon' I'm running for the high ground up Knock Dhu behind the hotel. Call me fussy ('hey, fussy!' ) but salmon on a menu tends to be farmed salmon and full of fat. Not nice tasting.

-Dai

Dai,

I love my food and enjoy cooking. I couldn't agree more about the salmon and Kilkeel is to fishing as is Killybegs and Castletownbere.....good fish. Farmed salmon in Kilkeel is a bit like bringing slush to eskimos.

How are you on lemon sole??

Olaf.

Hello Olaf

I think I can stomach that.

-Dai

Da wrote: - I don't eat any meat at all. Haven't eaten it for over thirty years.

-Dai

Bags me his portion!

Good to have the chat & see the K16 that day CJohn...am planning on joining the run out on the 20th...where's good to meet up?

Comberjohn wrote:Was chatting to Markz this afternoon when I was in Ballycastle.
He was saying about how much he enjoyed last September's run and I was telling him about this year's. Said he might be able to join us.

88KE wrote:

Da wrote: - I don't eat any meat at all. Haven't eaten it for over thirty years.

-Dai

Bags me his portion!

Hope he doesn't like pudding either....I bags that!

Oi!! Gerroff!!

If I could just elbow my way through the trough.

Hi Mark.
Good to hear you are going to join us. Going to be quite a turn out. Think that'll make about 17 of us.
I'm guessing we'll be meeting at the filling station in Clough. There's only one! Beside the roundabout with the tin cow.
 Ahhh, nothing like art and it's nothing like art.
I'll text you with a time when plans are more definite.

Best use of the tin cow was when someone hung an Olympic Gold Medal on it. Made me smile for weeks, that did.

88KE wrote:

Da wrote: - I don't eat any meat at all. Haven't eaten it for over thirty years.

-Dai

Bags me his portion!

You better hope it's not the thirty year old bits that are left over

RicK G wrote:

88KE wrote:

Da wrote: - I don't eat any meat at all. Haven't eaten it for over thirty years.

-Dai

Bags me his portion!

You better hope it's not the thirty year old bits that are left over

That belongs on the Harley D page!!