This has been on my mind a while and looks like a few others are thinking of it too.

So, for our September weekend. So far Comberjohn has dealt us two excellent weekends, 2012 and 2013, starting with breakfast in Hillsborough and on to some fabulous roads, North Antrim Coast, Torr Head, Bushmills distillery and of course lovely Ballycastle where one simply must stop for ice cream.

Fortunately some of us live too far away to make it a day trip so we have to make it a weekend! 2012 was a camping weekend at Tollymore Forest Park, on Comberjohn's excellent recommendation. In 2013 we had the benefit of a very excellent internet offer so we stayed at an Hotel in Kilkeel. It was rather nice to roll up outside the hotel and find our local welcoming committee waiting for us. Dinner, a trip to a pub, a great weekend and so on. I am planning camping at Tollymore Forest Park again. Its a wonderful setting and offers great scope for a little exploring in the Mournes on Sunday.

What remains for us is to sort out a date. Comberjohn seems to arrange the weather as well as the routes so its over to you John to suggest the date. Just because you now have a full fairing doesn't mean we want you arrange any rain to test it out....we expect the usual sunshine!

Since we have interest from Becky and Paul Lipscomb and possibly a few more you should know that some of us travel from Cork and take the M50 around Dublin and the M1 for Belfast. Approximate time from Dublin to Tollymore is about 2 hours plus stops. Anyone coming in on a ferry to Dublin can link up with us very easily just north of Dublin, especially if it is an afternoon ferry. Advice if you arrive on afternoon ferry is take the tunnel north for the M50/M1, its tolled [€10 Friday evening, €3 other times] but it skips all the rush hour traffic and stops you getting lost. A little research suggests using the Irish Ferries 11.50am from Holyhead to arrive Dublin 13.39 and possibly using Stenaline for return. Rosslare will also work for Paul, travel north on N11 and link up with 88KE at Gorey.

Looking forward to a great weekend!

Comberjohn [Resident!!]
Markzz
Paul Lipscomb [Hotel booked].
Becky.
92KK [Hotel booked]
Ringfad [Hotel booked]
88KE and Alex [Hotel booked]
Pat O'D [Hotel booked]
Corkboy [Hotel booked]
Sgmayhew [Hotel booked]
Cluain Si [Hotel booked]
Tom O'Leary [Hotel Booked]
Bjorn and Gerda [Hotel booked]
Electric Monk

Reg [Galway]

GMcQ hopefully.
Bai?
Eddietheclutch
Trapper?
Two Hondas 2?
BlacKrock?
DeRodster [away]
Tom Foley [away]
Sagi [away]

Sounds like a plan, would be much easier to meet up with you guys, i have a habit of getting lost, But then again Ireland is an island so you cant get completely lost

Becky wrote:Sounds like a plan, would be much easier to meet up with you guys, i have a habit of getting lost, But then again Ireland is an island so you cant get completely lost

...but because Ireland is such a beautiful island (and quite large as islands go - but not quite as big as the island of Australia) it is dangerously easy to get yourself lost on purpose and never want to come home.

Olaf - please count me in, obviously it will depend on which weekend CJ selects the decent weather for and whether I am available, but at this range, I'm sure I could make suitable arrangements to be free. Definitely up for camping at Tollymore. I probably would do the Holyhead Dublin route over. Have to see what works best for the return trip (ferry timings etc.)

Becky wrote:Sounds like a plan, would be much easier to meet up with you guys, i have a habit of getting lost, But then again Ireland is an island so you cant get completely lost

You can get lost but its a great place to get lost. People just don't admit it. I went from Dublin to Cork in 1974, to work there for 3 years. The 3 years isn't up yet.

Sounds good.
Any preference as to where everyone would like to go for a run? 
Any dates in the 1st 2 weeks of September that someone CAN'T go?
Antrim coast again or County Down? Enniskillen and the Lakes? Lovely run but a bit further away.
If I get a bit of feed back, I can start to plan a route.
There's a new campsite/self catering site about to open about a mile out of Newcastle on the Dundrum Road. I'll keep my ear to the ground for info about it.
For wusses such as myself, you could try Arley House. Nice little B&B outside Dundrum that I've sent a few to with no bad reports. That's the one that Bjorn didn't quite make it to one Friday night!!
Guy who owns it is a biker, albeit a Honda.
I'm of to Bonny Scotland for 3 days on Monday week with a few friends.

Nice little B&B outside Dundrum that I've sent a few to with no bad reports. That's the one that Bjorn didn't quite make it to one Friday night!!

Yep, he ended up in the wrong bed.........

Am sure 6th will be out for me as I may have to take my daughters stuff over to France at the end of August. 12th or 19th better.

I will happily go wherever is decided. we will be having a few newcomers too. Hope Sagi can make it......

I will watch this one with interest any weekend in September will do me

Pat

Based on the good time I had last time -
eating icecream in the sunshine in September,
and some smashing roads and company -  
I'm in if at all possible.

I have a feeling 19th is better for me, discussion with daughter yesterday, she can only travel on 6th /7th and earliest ferry back arrives in Rosslare on 12th. But that could all change too so go with what suits. If 12th suits everyone else then that's when it should be. The great thing is that outings are always great but inevitably not everyone gets to go. Of course there is also a chance for October too....

I will be away from the 4th-19th Sept. so will probably miss this one again.

Having missed this one last year and since you are returning to the land of my birth I will make the effort to attend this one.

I will definitely make it to the september one, dont plan that far ahead normally so i should be free any time! still not sure about august but will see what i can do, love camping and any excuse is welcome

I missed out on last years run so Definitely trying to make it this year. It would be great to have visitors from the other big island off the coast of Europe.

88KE wrote:I missed out on last years run so Definitely trying to make it this year. It would be great to have visitors from the other big island off the coast of Europe.

Do you mean America?

RicK G wrote:

88KE wrote:I missed out on last years run so Definitely trying to make it this year. It would be great to have visitors from the other big island off the coast of Europe.

Do you mean America?

     Of Course Rick....sure it's the next parish to Westport!  

Becky wrote:I will definitely make it to the september one, dont plan that far ahead normally so i should be free any time! still not sure about august but will see what i can do, love camping and any excuse is welcome

Ferry options are Stranraer/Cairnryan or Liverpool direct to Belfast or Hollyhead to Dublin and hook up with a few of us for the Ride North.

Sounds good, looked and it's about £100 return from Liverpool, do you do mph or kph over there?

Becky wrote:Sounds good, looked and it's about £100 return from Liverpool, do you do mph or kph over there?

Both Becky.    North of the border is MPH, south is KPH!

Sure you do that just to confuse me!!! Its like the Welsh, go in at the North, the English is above the Welsh on the signs, until you get to a random point where it swaps over to Welsh on top and i think ive gone dyslexic for about 20 miles.....

Don't forget that at the border they change from driving on the left, to the right. When I was last there it was only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday though.   

MIke

I have never seen the series, but Comberjohn took us to this place last September....on our 2013 Norn Iron trip! Antrim North Coast!






Tag: Your K on a movie set!!!

This may refresh a few memories from last September and wet a few appetites for this September.
I borrowed my son's GoPro camera a week or so ago and took a video of the Antrim coast road to Ballycastle.
First time I've used one so you'll have to excuse the slightly squinty angle and the wind noise.(No, not me!)
Turned out better than I thought so I bought myself one for my trip to Scotland and got some good footage of the Highlands. Can bore you if you insist. Will bring it with me on any future runs. The one I bought is a later model and has better picture and sound quality.
Thought it would be nice to have some summer videos for the winter months. Sad, isn't it?
The coast road video is in two parts. No idea why. That's technology for you.
Enjoy.

92KK K100LT 193214 wrote:Nice little B&B outside Dundrum that I've sent a few to with no bad reports. That's the one that Bjorn didn't quite make it to one Friday night!!

Yep, he ended up in the wrong bed.........

Am sure 6th will be out for me as I may have to take my daughters stuff over to France at the end of August. 12th or 19th better.

I will happily go wherever is decided. we will be having a few newcomers too. Hope Sagi can make it......

Sorted out the trip with my daughter. Not driving it after all, so will just fly over on 5th for a few days. 19th better for me but 12th or 26th now look ok too. Just hoping I don't have to head back on Saturday night.

Do we have a confirmed date and venue?  The minister for finance, sport and leisure(its a big brief but she's well able for it) has approved my travel request for either of the last 2 weekends of september.

Time to consult with Comberjohn. We want to get the best of weather conditions. Looks like I am ok for either weekend.

Paging Comberjohn to the Romper Room, Comberjohn to the Romper Room please........

I opened my email this morning to find another promotion for the hotel in Kilkeel that we used last year.

Although I love the camping this was a great and unbeatable option with great bike parking and excellent hospitality and a proper breakfast!.

So how about it? Are we on for it again? We should look at dates......


Olaf

2 nights for 2, including breakfast, €89 for 2 people.
Including dinners on Saturday night, €109 for 2 people.
Just in case anyone coming for first time thinks there is anything dodgy its the same hotel that we spent the weekend at in 2013.



http://www.groupon.ie/deals/dublin/ga-kilmorey-arms-hotel-1-4/42682129?p=1&nlp=&CID=IE_CRM_1_0_0_214&a=1220&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&sid=53278648-dcd2-462b-895c-ee03b5bf3478&division=dublin&uh=28bd57ca-1262-457f-915a-3bdcd6791bde&date=20140208&sender=rm&s=body&c=deal_button&d=deal-page&utm_campaign=ga-kilmorey-arms-hotel-1-4-42682129

92KK K100LT 193214 wrote:I opened my email this morning to find another promotion for the hotel in Kilkeel that we used last year.

Although I love the camping this was a great and unbeatable option with great bike parking and excellent hospitality and a proper breakfast!.

So how about it? Are we on for it again? We should look at dates......


Olaf

2 nights for 2, including breakfast, €89 for 2 people.
Including dinners on Saturday night, €109 for 2 people.
Just in case anyone coming for first time thinks there is anything dodgy its the same hotel that we spent the weekend at in 2013.



http://www.groupon.ie/deals/dublin/ga-kilmorey-arms-hotel-1-4/42682129?p=1&nlp=&CID=IE_CRM_1_0_0_214&a=1220&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&sid=53278648-dcd2-462b-895c-ee03b5bf3478&division=dublin&uh=28bd57ca-1262-457f-915a-3bdcd6791bde&date=20140208&sender=rm&s=body&c=deal_button&d=deal-page&utm_campaign=ga-kilmorey-arms-hotel-1-4-42682129

Im in, just booked the deal now just need the date to book hotel. So can we agree a date before or on 26th Sept?
Looking forward to this already 

Just booked it myself as well.

Regarding which weekend, I am fine for any weekend in September. Electric_monk is restricted to the last two, so either one of those suits me. 

Anybody any preference?

Corkboy wrote:Just booked it myself as well.

Regarding which weekend, I am fine for any weekend in September. Electric_monk is restricted to the last two, so either one of those suits me. 

Anybody any preference?

no particular preference, just to get the ball rolling I vote for the 19th, any takers?

19th is good for me, so is 26th. Was talking to 88KE earlier and think either 19th or 26th will work for him too.

19th then?

Still looking at ferry / route options. The weekend of 19th Sep works best for me, but with current commitments (daughters go to their mother that weekend) it looks like I wouldn't get over until crack of dawn on 20th (0245 sailing out of Holyhead) - arriving in time for a full Irish breakfast (!) but I'd have to high tail out of there at crack of dawn on 21st to get back home in time. If I can persuade the ex to pick the girls up from school, then I would aim for an earlier sailing on the Friday so that I could make more of the weekend. Is the date fixed in concrete yet? I don't want to enter into negotiations or book ferries until it is.

Is everyone now hoteling it? Cuts down on luggage and hassle I suppose and the deal looks good.

My vote is for the 19th as well.

In fact, I jumped the gun and booked the hotel for the 19th to 21st.  I warned the nice wee (note - everything in Norn Irn  is wee (wee groupon code, wee visa card number, wee security code, wee email address etc.)) that there would be a few bookings coming her way and she said there was no problem - there is plenty of availability at the moment for the 19th/21st.

Also confirmed that even though the offer says double bed, seperate beds are available   

By the way, I also checked last years groupon and it was €99 excluding dinner, so it is actually cheaper this year.

Fintan, I am happy with 19th so looks like 19th it is. If you have booked hotel I owe you and happy to share it.

Paul, its not that we don't like camping or anything. The hotel last year was actually great fun and its a real bargain. We got a lovely meal too. Of course it saves on gear but if weather is not the best then its a real pleasure.

Becky mentioned coming over and is currently trying to tempt ol' blue eyes to come as well.

Ferries: Let us know who makes the ferry on Friday but check out both Stena and Irish Ferries as there is afternoon ferry into Dublin that would have you up at the hotel in excellent time for dinner.
Also: there is a Sunday afternoon ferry Dublin to Holyhead.
There is a toll tunnel out of Dublin near the ferry port. Trucks have to use it but its open to other users. For the sake of time and directions its worth taking because it takes you right out of Dublin in rush hour with no traffic and exits on the motorway so no risk of getting lost. All you have to do is follow signs for Airport/M1/North/Belfast.

OK - sounds like a decision! I'll enter into negotiations and then get ferry to suit...and book some accommodation too. I think the deal is only good for another day, so best get my skates on.

Corkboy wrote:My vote is for the 19th as well.

In fact, I jumped the gun and booked the hotel for the 19th to 21st.  I warned the nice wee (note - everything in Norn Irn  is wee (wee groupon code, wee visa card number, wee security code, wee email address etc.)) that there would be a few bookings coming her way and she said there was no problem - there is plenty of availability at the moment for the 19th/21st.

Also confirmed that even though the offer says double bed, seperate beds are available   

By the way, I also checked last years groupon and it was €99 excluding dinner, so it is actually cheaper this year.

John and Tom hotel confirmed for weekend starting on 19th Sept 

Cluain Sí wrote:

John and Tom hotel confirmed for weekend starting on 19th Sept 

 There goes the neighbourhood !          

Im in also
Just got confirmation for my booking  Weekend 19th to 21st                 
 


Pat

Good to hear it's set. I'm in too, holiday just sorted. Just need to look into that hotel's website to see if a single room is available. Or anyone in the same situation who doesn't mind sharing?

You two sharing for the weekend? This is looking good so far!

92KK K100LT 193214 wrote:You two sharing for the weekend? This is looking good so far!

Whatever way the hotel bookings go, individual steeds though

92KK K100LT 193214 wrote:
Yep, he ended up in the wrong bed.........

Well, somehow the wife doesn't seem to be happy to find me in strange beds

Björn wrote:Good to hear it's set. I'm in too, holiday just sorted. Just need to look into that hotel's website to see if a single room is available. Or anyone in the same situation who doesn't mind sharing?

I sent a link for the offer to Becky as she mentioned coming over with Blue Eyes if he could be persuaded. Be a lot harder to persuade him to go back home if the hospitality is like last year and Comberjohn takes us out to a nice pub!.

I have just booked the hotel for the two nights. The offer expires tonight but they still have room's available for the 19th and 20th Sept.

Hotel booking just confirmed for the 2 nights for myself and my better half.

Wasn't easy to convince her (never spent more than half an hour on the bike) so I rely on all of you to have a great outing

She works until lunchtime on Friday so we may be a little late but not too much.

Bjorn

That's excellent news!!! I suppose now we must pack the tux?

Depending on how the travel arrangements go its likely that anyone coming from UK on the ferry would be at the M1 toll around 6pm which is excellent timing as that makes an 8pm arrival time feasible, just in time for dinner!

I am not sure of my work arrangements at the moment but your time might well suit a few of us travelling together with a stop at either Cashel [Mother Hubbards] or Junction 14 at Monasterevin [say 4pm stop] as both are good for lunch and still make M1 toll for 6pm.

92KK K100LT 193214 wrote:Bjorn

That's excellent news!!! I suppose now we must pack the tux?

Depending on how the travel arrangements go its likely that anyone coming from UK on the ferry would be at the M1 toll around 6pm which is excellent timing as that makes an 8pm arrival time feasible, just in time for dinner!

I am not sure of my work arrangements at the moment but your time might well suit a few of us travelling together with a stop at either Cashel [Mother Hubbards] or Junction 14 at Monasterevin [say 4pm stop] as both are good for lunch and still make M1 toll for 6pm.

She's not that bad, honestly. I just need to find biking trousers for her which may not be an easy job. Luckily my old leather jacket I grew out of fits her more or less.

We'll see timing but the M' toll or the Apple service station on M1 may be a good place to meet the lads coming over from the UK - they can ride out straight through the port tunnel onto the M1.

BTW battery gave up so new one ordered this morning - hope it's a good move from 19Ah lead-acid battery to 22Ah AGM (Motobatt). A little pricier but all the specs look better.

In case anyone missed it.

The Groupon Deal, for the hotel, is back again for another 7 days.

http://www.groupon.ie/deals/dublin-special/ga-kilmorey-arms-hotel-1-4/43310515?p=14&nlp=&CID=IE_CRM_1_0_0_220&a=1768&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&sid=35633c68-35ce-46c8-adde-c48b94d66591&division=dublin-special&uh=4fc3e351-a595-4f8a-9cdf-2c17b0723d59&date=20140808&sender=rm&s=body&c=deal_button&d=deal-page&utm_campaign=ga-kilmorey-arms-hotel-1-4-43310515

Simon - you're a star! 

Yes, I did miss the deal first time around having only just concluded "negotiations" with the ex.
I have now booked the group on deal...and booked my room at the hotel for the two night, breakfast + dinner deal from 19 Sep. 

I've yet to book the ferry, no rush for that, but the plan is to get the Holyhead - Dublin Stena Line ferry across on Friday 19 Sep (dep 13:50, arr 17:05) and then travel back Dublin - Holyhead on Sunday 21 Sep (dep 09:00, arr 12:30). There was nothing in it distance wise compared with riding to/from Rosslare, but the ferry times were better from Holyhead.

Looking forward to a grand weekend.

Hope you all have a great weekend gathering this weekend (9 Aug) and that the forecast weather doesn't spoil anything - sorry I could do both gatherings, but looking forward to seeing old friends and new on 19 Sep.

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.