35 Day Self-Guided Tour to the NorthWest 200 and Isle of Man TT
Practice for the NW200 starts on Tuesday the 15th of May, Last days racing Saturday
19th May 2018
Practice for the TT starts on Saturday the 26th of May, Last days racing Friday
8th June 2018
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Start Gatwick
Finish Gatwick Minimum length 41 days/40 nights Approximate distance 1126 miles/1812km converter miles to kilometers N.B. Riding times are approximate times only. They do not include food breaks or fuel stops. |
NEW ZEALAND TIME
LONDON TIME
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Day 1 Gatwick to Gravesend 42 miles/67 km
Fly into Gatwick UK. You will then be picked up from the airport when you arrive and driven to Gravesend. 42 miles (1 hour and 10 minutes). This is where you will stay for the night and catch up on some sleep in accommodation you have already booked in advance. www.tripadvisor.co.uk
Day 2 Gravesend to Elan Valley 291 miles/468 km
Stonehenge
In the morning we will pick you up and take you to the depot to pick up your motorcycle. Then you are on your way. Ride 117 miles (2 hours 20 minutes) to Stonehenge. Then ride 26 miles (45 minutes) to Hungerford. Then ride 25 miles (45 minutes) to Black Dog Hill. Then ride 14 miles (30 minutes) to Acton Turvile. Then ride 56 miles (1 hour 30 minutes) to Ebbw Vale. Then ride 51 miles (1 hour 20 minutes) to Rhayader. Then ride 2.5 miles (6 minutes) to Elan Valley Hotel. Stay the night after a good days ride.
Day 3 Elan Valley to Holyhead/Dublin 239 miles/384 km
Garreg-ddu Reservoir
A new day! Ride 3 miles (7 minutes) to Garreg-ddu Reservoir. Then ride 20 miles (40 minutes) to Hafod Hotel, Devil's Bridge. Then ride 11 miles (20 minutes) to Aberystwyth. Ride 37 miles (55 minutes) to Caersws. Ride 18 miles (30 minutes) to Cemmaes, A470. Then ride 31 miles (45 minutes) to Welshpool. Then ride 21 miles (35 minutes) to Chirk. Then ride 81 miles (1 hour and 50 minutes) to Holyhead ferry terminal. Get on the boat going to Dublin. When you arrive, depending on which sailing you are on, stay the night. Ride 6 miles (12 minutes) to Adare House B&B or try the many other B&Bs in Dublin. www.tripadvisor.co.uk
Day 4 Dublin
Spend the day in Dublin. Go to the Guinness factory 3 miles (7 minutes) away from Adare house. Have a look around the city as there is loads to see and do. You could even stay another night before heading to Coleraine.
Day 5 Dublin to Coleraine 144 miles/231 km
Ride from Dublin 144 miles (3 hours 10 minutes) to Coleraine. Find your accommodation. Anywhere within a 15 mile radius will be fine. Get settled in. See www.tripadvisor.co.uk Have a look around. The North West 200 start line is only 5 miles (10 minutes) away from Coleraine if you are going to base yourself for a few days in the vicinity to watch the racing.
Day 6 - Day 10 NW200 95 miles/152 km
Ride 4 miles (9 minutes) to Portstewart. This is a sea side town. Then ride 1 mile (2 minutes) to the North West 200 start line or park and walk from close by. The NW200 practice starts from Tuesday the 9th of May. The main events start from Thursday afternoon the 11th and all day Saturday the 13th. Here are just a few things to do during your few days in Northern Ireland. Ride 3 miles
(6 minutes) to Portrush. Ride 4 miles (9 minutes) to Dunluce Castle. This is where scenes from
Highlander the movie staring Sean Connery were filmed. Ride 3 miles (6 minutes) to Bushmills Distillery Irish Whiskey. Ride 3 miles (7 minutes) to The Giants Causeway. Ride 8 miles (15 minutes) to Ballintoy Harbour Cafe. Ride 7 miles (15 minutes) to Ballycastle Coastal Harbour. Ride 11 miles (30 minutes) to Cushendun. Ride 28 miles (1 hour) to Larne. This is one of the ferry terminals for the Isle of Man or ride 22 miles (35 minutes) to Belfast ferry for the Isle of Man also. Note - Book your ferry way in advance before you leave New Zealand. If you get stuck with sailings let me know as we may be able to arrange a container from Belfast to the Isle of Man.
(6 minutes) to Portrush. Ride 4 miles (9 minutes) to Dunluce Castle. This is where scenes from
Highlander the movie staring Sean Connery were filmed. Ride 3 miles (6 minutes) to Bushmills Distillery Irish Whiskey. Ride 3 miles (7 minutes) to The Giants Causeway. Ride 8 miles (15 minutes) to Ballintoy Harbour Cafe. Ride 7 miles (15 minutes) to Ballycastle Coastal Harbour. Ride 11 miles (30 minutes) to Cushendun. Ride 28 miles (1 hour) to Larne. This is one of the ferry terminals for the Isle of Man or ride 22 miles (35 minutes) to Belfast ferry for the Isle of Man also. Note - Book your ferry way in advance before you leave New Zealand. If you get stuck with sailings let me know as we may be able to arrange a container from Belfast to the Isle of Man.
Day 11-Day 17 Tiki Tour around
Belfast
After the 19th of May you will have 7 days in which to get over to the Isle of Man for the start of the TT.
Ferry Terminals for the Isle of Man are in Larne and in Belfast.
Ferry Terminals for the Isle of Man are in Larne and in Belfast.
ISLE OF MAN TT
Runs from Saturday 26th May to Friday 8th June 2018
The circuit is 37 3/4 miles (60 km)
The circuit is 37 3/4 miles (60 km)
Day 17-Day 31
Douglas on the Isle of Man. Find your accommodation and settle in as this is where you will be for the next 15 days.
See the following: www.visittheisleofman.com
See the following: www.visittheisleofman.com
Day 32 Isle of Man to Oxford 255 miles/410 km
Ride to the ferry. Catch the boat from Douglas, Isle of Man to either Heysham , Glasson Dock , Liverpool or Birkenhead depending on where you have booked then ride 255 miles (5 hours 10 minutes to Oxford to stay the night after a long day. There are a lot of B&B/Pubs to stay in for a good nights sleep. www.tripadvisor.co.uk
Day 33 Oxford to Gravesend 110 miles/177 km
Oxford
In the morning head into Oxford town and have a walk around. Then ride 107 miles (2 hours 20 minutes) to Gravesend. Find some accommodation before you drop your bike off back at the Depot. This is 3 miles (10 minutes away). Then ring for a taxi to pick you up and bring you back into Gravesend township and stay for another night before flying out the following day. Look up Trips advisory for accommodation in Gravesend.
Day 34 or Day 35 Gravesend to Gatwick 42 miles/67 km
Gatwick airport
Get a taxi from Gravesend to Gatwick Airport North terminal
PHOENIX TAXIS £40-£65 phone 014743 55555 or CLUB AIR TAXIS phone 014747 47757. This is the easiest and quickest way to get there. There are plenty of taxi companies that will take you to the airport. Ask at your accommodation.
Note: There are two terminals at Gatwick North and South. Check your air ticket.
PHOENIX TAXIS £40-£65 phone 014743 55555 or CLUB AIR TAXIS phone 014747 47757. This is the easiest and quickest way to get there. There are plenty of taxi companies that will take you to the airport. Ask at your accommodation.
Note: There are two terminals at Gatwick North and South. Check your air ticket.
