country nexus

Some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in the UK is along the north coast of County Antrim in Northern Ireland. This area, known as the Causeway Coast after the famous Giant’s Causeway, has rugged outcrops, high cliffs, pretty towns and clean sandy beaches. It also plays host to the annual Northwest 200 event.

The Northwest 200 event is the most important in Northern Ireland’s racing calendar and takes place in May each year. The circuit is on public roads and follows a triangular route from the starting point in Portstewart south to Coleraine, north to Portrush and back along the coast road to Portstewart. The event attracts spectators from all over Northern Ireland and also further afield, both for the two practice sessions and the races themselves on the Saturday. As the course follows public roads there are plenty of places for spectating along the route, or there are also grandstands at the start and finish lines near Portstewart where you can purchase VIP hospitality if you feel the need to splash out. As well as the racing the Northwest 200 also plays host to all sorts of other events, from beauty contests to exhibitions of classic bikes and a cavalcade of veteran vehicles. If you are the owner of a classic or veteran motorbike, it may still be possible to get a spot in the cavalcade. Organisers of the event will be able to advise whether there are still spaces for this year, or put you on the list for next year. If you do wish to take part, check with your classic bike insurance company before signing on the dotted line. Most policies will cover you for these sorts of events as long as you are not racing, but it is wise to check first. Some classic bike insurance policies will charge extra to cover you.

Accommodation gets booked up quickly for the Northwest 200 event and hotel owners and rental properties charge more for the week than at other times. Consider staying somewhere less glamorous such as Ballymena or Londonderry, and travelling up to the coast for the day of the races. If you prefer to be in the thick of it, there are campsites right on the coast between Portrush and Portstewart which will put you in the centre of all of the action. As the coast is so geared up for tourists there are plenty of options for eating and drinking, and don’t forget to make a trip to see the impressive Giant’s Causeway while you’re in the area. Bushmill’s Irish Whiskey distillery is five miles from Portrush and offers good value guided tours all through the Northwest 200 period.