I would generally agree with that. If you're looking for great riding then maybe the WAW might not be the best. But if you're looking for a great experience, in some of the most stunning scenery you'll find anywhere in the world, coupled with a warm welcome everywhere it's brilliant. Be warned, it can rain A LOT ! The main thing I would do differently, if I did it again, would be to give it more time. Park the bike up for a day or two along the way and do some walking or just sitting doing fuck all in the quiet!
I guess I'd have to agree with that...though I found the roads down the East coast from Dublin southwards we're fine...just don't expect motorways. We had sunshine the whole time we were there...unusual. My family hail from county Cavan originally and each year from our home in Scotland we used to caravan round Ireland for our summer hols. It always rained so I was pretty amazed to stay dry on my bike trip.
Ha, my wife's parents were from Cavan. Don't get me wrong, there are some great bits but most roads up the West coast are fairly small, twisty and sometimes not in the best nick. Not much in the way of fast sweeping bends and stuff, but Ireland tends to throttle you back a bit, well it did me anyway. Chill man.....
Reading the posts of people having their plans scuppered makes me think,perhaps we will all appreciate riding holidays more when the COVID situation is over and done with? I had a couple of trips planned with my son this summer. The NC500 or at least an amended version of it and also a long weekend ride around Wales. There is always next year, but as I get older I value the time more and more. I've certainly enjoyed my short rides over the last week or so since the lockdown restrictions were eased.
Yeah it rained all but one day for us too You think it rains in Scotland, go to Ireland, then decide. There's a good reason it's called the emerald isle We do plan to go back and do the southern loop, Galway South then around to Dublin. So even tho the roads are shite, it rains lots, still worth it And you know the bollox people talk about Guinness being better in Ireland, turns out to be true. One of the best pints of my life, sat outside a tiny pub, looking at the breakers coming in off the Atlantic ( had stopped raining for 10 minutes) and sipping a creamy pint of Guinness
Maybe it’s one to stick on my list too since I’ve not given it that much thought but quite intrigued by it now.
Iv'e done it three times, used to get the ferry to rosslare and then cross to the west coast, some roads are not the best surface wise but as others have said the scenery is great. County Clare and the burran are surreal, don't miss connemara either . I always timed it so I arrived in the north to watch the north west 200,then rode the Antrim coast road which is a must, before crossing to Scotland and then home. Round trip of about 1300 miles,so you need a comfortable bike.......and don't forget your waterproofs! You'll love it!
Yep, that's the route I took, apart from the Antrim coast. I finished up in Enniskillen to visit my father-in-law then had to get back down to Rosslare to catch the ferry home. With the ride to and from Pembroke I covered nearly 2000 miles. I started out with fairly new tyres and was down to the threads on the back by the time I got home!
Yep,it's definitely well worth doing it...speaking of tyres l had my front one split once over there...a note of caution, bike shops are very few and far between outside of Dublin and Belfast, l was stuck near Cookstown ,the local tyre place had nothing and had to get one sent over from Belfast, but the people are great, and soon fixed me up with B&B for the night. They really love bikes in Ireland and are very friendly and helpful.
