Best roads for touring

Author
Discussion

johnbear

Original Poster:

1,568 posts

242 months

Sunday 30th December 2007
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I often organise TVR run out's around North Wales but for March or April I was thinking of visiting Northern Ireland with around 10 cars(ferry is dam expensive!).

I am looking for coast and mountain roads with good surfaces, lots of twists with very little traffic but wide and very demanding. Ideally roads which don't feature speed cameras or attract plod.

We'll start and end in Belfast (ferry) and stay 2 nights in Ireland.

Could also do with some good country hotels, but not modern (weekend get away types) and at good rates.

I was think of heading out from Belfast along the coast roads to Causeway Head, but after that I no idea.

catmartin

889 posts

204 months

Sunday 30th December 2007
quotequote all
Well when you say coast roads, the Causeway Coastal Route immediately comes to mind, it is narrow and windy, with a little bit of traffic, mainly Sunday drivers I think. Goes straight from Belfast (well, Whiteabbey technically) But the views are amazing and when you get up onto the North Coast, there are loads of things to do and loads of hotels. When you are up there you'll want to see the Glenshane Pass, it is truly beautiful, bit trafficky though.

Gonna post you a link to a website I go on for Minis, we're always going on runs and you'll get an idea when you see the pics.

As for hotels, The Galgorm Manor is a beautiful hotel in Ballymena ( inbetween Belfast and the North Coast). I stayed there for a night and it was £145 for the two of us, so I don't know if that's too much or if it's ok. However it's not on the Causeway Coast, it goes up the motorway. Alternatively the Bushmills Inn is on the Causeway Coast.

If you were to go South from Belfast, you could do the coast around Warrenpoint. I'm not sure about hotels down there but the roads are amazing.

Here's that link.

MLNI RUNS

MLNI GALLERY OF RUNS

In particular if you look at posts with CCMC (Causeway Coast Mini Club) and SDMOC (South Down Mini Owners Club) then you are likely to see the places I've been talking about.

Hope I've helped in some way!



d18mca

314 posts

204 months

Monday 31st December 2007
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John

If you give the local TVR group a shout with details of dates,I'm sure we can combine to provide you with guides.We also run several track days during the year and one of these could be incorporated into your trip.

johnbear

Original Poster:

1,568 posts

242 months

Monday 31st December 2007
quotequote all
Thanks guys. I couldn't get the mini pdf map to work.

Any more links to routes?

jonjo

139 posts

203 months

Monday 31st December 2007
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johnbear

If you want any assistance give me an email.

jonjo

FLAT 6

480 posts

267 months

Wednesday 2nd January 2008
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Hi,

TVRCC N.Ireland are hosting the 2008 Celtic Gathering from 7th to 9th March in Fermanagh (South West corner of NI). See Oct Sprint report.

Not sure if there's any rooms left in the hotel (Manor House, Enniskillen) but it will be a major event - I think there's c. 50 cars coming!

Email me if you want more details.

Cheers

Allen

johnbear

Original Poster:

1,568 posts

242 months

Wednesday 2nd January 2008
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Are you going to do a run out - not one of the TVRCC one's where overtaking forbidden?

AonFocalEile

233 posts

220 months

Friday 4th January 2008
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One version of the causeway route. There are a few runs going on about that time. There is also a very good run out of Southern Donegal to Northern Donegal. The two runs can join into each other.


Some info about the route:
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/motors/2005/0525/...

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&ge...

FLAT 6

480 posts

267 months

Monday 7th January 2008
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John Bear,

There will be two runs out each day - don't know what the rules are re. overtaking!! Also two rally school sessions!

Cheers

Colin L

1,243 posts

274 months

Tuesday 8th January 2008
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Overtaking would be hard to do, there is a group leader and thus the ones behind do not know the full route thus need to follow.

Safe driving is the only way. If some one promotes unsafe driving then they take what comes with that.

The TVRCC event is for members only. It will be safe and controlled.

END
Colin L

jonjo

139 posts

203 months

Tuesday 8th January 2008
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Well said Tufty!

Mr_Max

54 posts

205 months

Tuesday 8th January 2008
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the coast road from enniskillen to belleek and back again via the other side of the lough's are quite the drivers roads, would be quite partcial to them.

softtop

3,088 posts

254 months

Friday 11th January 2008
quotequote all
Colin L said:
Overtaking would be hard to do, there is a group leader and thus the ones behind do not know the full route thus need to follow.

Safe driving is the only way. If some one promotes unsafe driving then they take what comes with that.

The TVRCC event is for members only. It will be safe and controlled.

END
Colin L
Sounds like a magical mystery tour! I am sure the day is not as regimented as it comes across?

rmfa30

75 posts

230 months

Saturday 12th January 2008
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Any 'v8' is going to enjoy the SERIOUSLY NICE ROAD out of Newcastle, through Dundrum to Clough, then turn right towards Tyrella, St. John's Point and Killough and on round towards Ardglass... especially superb views along coast at Minerstown etc... careful on the 'bumps' though!