NW 200 and Donegal

Tuesday 15th May - Sun 20th May 2012

Duration	5 Nights
Tour Area	Antrim Coast, County Donegal & NW 200 Road Races
Status	Escorted Tour (E)
Accommodation	3 Star Hotels
Mileage	150 - 200 miles per day
Approx Tour Mileage	750 miles
Roads	Combination of Motorway, A, B and Unfenced Roads
Skills	Suitable for intermediate rider, perhaps first-time on tour

A great tour to the NW of Ireland, with the opportunity to watch the world-famous Northwest 200 Motorcycle Races

This tour has now become a yearly event for us and gives you not only the chance to ride the scenic Antrim Coast, but watch one of the biggest sporting events in Northern Ireland, the NW200 road races. At the time of writing, proposals are being made to expand the race programme and broaden the appeal to fans by introducing two exciting races on the Thursday evening – a Superstock event followed by a Supertwins Race – with roads set to close 5.30pm to 9pm.

Mervyn Whyte said " We believe the new revitalised programme will attract additional spectators and add a little more live action to our Race Week schedule. The addition of the Supertwins race is a first for the North West 200 and we will be following the same regulations as the Isle of Man TT who are also set to introduce a Supertwins class for the first time in 2012.”

Whyte also confirmed that Saturday’s 2012 Race Day programme will follow last year’s schedule and feature five races - two superbike and two Supersport races as well as the Superstock class. A new aggregate points system will also apply to both the Thursday and Saturday Superstock races.

In anticipation of these changes we have moved our normal tour format forward by one day, returning on the Sunday, with a tour in Donegal possibly on the Friday. Although this is an escorted tour, for those new to touring, there is the opportunity to ride with your escort, who will guide you each step of the way.

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Tour Format
Tuesday 15th May The tour will meet-up at a 3 star hotel set in its own grounds, 1m from the centre of Dumfries. You should arrive in time for a traditional evening meal and a get-to-know-you session with your fellow riders and Guide for the tour.

Wednesday 16th May After a leisurely breakfast, we get to enjoy some of the scenic roads of Galloway and Dumfries as we make our way to Cairnryan to catch a midday ferry to Belfast. On arrival, we travel to the outskirts of the historic walled city of Derry, where a 3 star hotel complete with swimming pool is our base for the duration of the tour.

Thursday 17th May Today is our first opportunity to explore this beautiful part of Ireland. You can ride around the Circuit perhaps, before taking to the famous Antrim coastal road, where you will get to see the World Heritage ‘Giants Causeway’, walk the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, or even sample the wares of the Bushmills Distillery. There are also plenty of activities around the Grandstand, with vintage bike displays, mini motos, or just a walk around the pits. For those that wish, we will be running a guided tour of these main attracations, but will return to the circuit in time for the evenings racing.

Friday 18th May A free day, we will consider the possibilities but our location makes it perfect for a ride into Donegal or the Sperrin Mountains.

Saturday 19th May Saturday is Race Day, and the closing of the roads signifies an exciting day of racing. This event, like the IOM TT races, is run on normal roads and lets you witness at close hand the sheer speed of motorcycle road racing. The circuit is 11 miles long and triangular in shape, following the A2 from Coleraine to Portstewart, down the coast road to Portrush, and back on the A29 to Coleraine.

Sunday 20th May Today we must leave to catch our midday ferry, we will arrive back to the mainland mid-afternoon, from where we take our leave.

Accommodation
Your first nights' hotel is located in a 100 acre estate, 1 mile from the centre of Dumfries, the hotel consists of the original historic building and a contemporary extension. The bedrooms are in this extension and have all the facilities you would expect, including TV, Kingsize beds, power showers, tea-making facilities and free Wi-Fi.

Your accommodation in Ireland is a 3 star hotel on the outskirts of Derry. You should be aware that this is some distance from the NW 200 circuit, so if you want to be in the centre of the action, this may not suit you. However, we have been using this hotel for many years and our customers tell us they prefer it, with it being ideally situated for not only getting to the NW 200 Road Races, but also touring the Northwest of Ireland. You may want to bring your swimming gear, as the hotel has a large swimming pool and leisure facilities, the use of which is included in your stay. All rooms are en-suite with ‘phone, TV and drinks-making facilities.

This tour is especially good value, as all evening meals are included - leaving you only to budget for lunch, petrol and drink.

Tour prices are inclusive of the following

* Return ferry to Northern Ireland

* 5 Nights' en-suite accommodation at 3 star hotels

* 5 Evening meals (vegetarian option available)

* 5 Full regional breakfasts

* Full use of the hotel's leisure facilities

* Live evening entertainment

* Guided tours

* Route notes as appropriate

* Services of experienced Tour Guides

Tour Cost
Two persons, one bike, shared room	£455 each
One person, one bike, shared room	£540
One person, one bike, single room	£675
Deposit £100 per person

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