The TBNI Road Racing Calendar will be updated as soon as new information comes to light so make sure you are subscribed to that : https://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/
#NW200#NorthWest200 #2018 #2018NW200#2018NorthWest200#Live#RoadRacing#NorthernIreland#Motorbikes#Motorcycles Live North West 200 Practice / Qualifying Session : https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/northern-ireland/43798025
Scotland’s North Coast 500 GPX Route File – NC500 GPX:
UPDATE : I have again completed this route in 2019 and have uploaded some videos recorded on the Hyperlapse (time-lapse) setting of the GoPro Hero 7 Black Edition.
These videos will hopefully give you a little taste of what to expect or something to wet your appetite with so you can start planning your NC500 adventure…
A link to the Ride Report is also included further down this page along with the direct link to the GPX file of the NC500 route.
UPDATE #2 : I have completed the NC500 again, this time in 2023, and this time in a car. If you are curious about fuel on the route, specifically E5 / Super Unleaded 97 Ron, then this is the post for you : https://tbni.blog/2023/09/16/nc500-super-unleaded-fuel/
Day 1 : Inverness to Ullapool :
Day 2 : Ullapool to John O’Groats :
Day 3 : John O’Groats to Inverness :
I have now uploaded my galleries and Ride Report of my 2016 trip around the Scotland’s North Coast 500 (NC500). You can find them all here :
One thing I did notice (for example in comparison to the Irish Wild Atlantic Way) was the lack of signage. Unless you knew you were actually on the NC500 you probably wouldn’t know you were on it.
UPDATE : As of 2023, having completed this route again I can now confirm that the signage situation is now infinitely better. You will now see frequent signage and directions that include the NC500 markers. It is not quite as frequent as the WAW however there are far less deviations from the loop.
The GPX file is available from the official North Coast 500 site, along with a printable map however my Sat Nav (a Tom Tom Rider V) found it far too complex, there are thousands of way points on it, and the sat nav just just refused to load it. The printable map is nice, but let’s be honest an A4 map covering 500 miles isn’t an ideal solution either.
Thankfully there is a good solution. This GPX file is sat nav friendly and guides you perfectly around the route.
(This GPX file will not take into account local diversions, road closures etc etc. Use it for guidance, but ensure to follow all local laws and rules of the road. TBNI.Blog is not responsible for the accuracy of this GPX file, it has not been updated since 2016 and should be used as a tool to assist your navigation and no warranty or guarantee is made or implied by its use. The use of this GPX is entirely are your own risk.)
With the Thursday night Racing Session getting suspended due to a race related incident the Saturday Race Schedule had the extra race bumped into the schedule, meaning a full program of six races.
Racing started sharp and an excellent first race was unfortunately the only one of the schedule to run its course.
Race 2 was stopped following an incident involving Bruce Anstey who incidentally managed a speed trough the trap of a whopping 209.4mph! Thankfully Bruce walked away from the crash after some roadside medical treatment.
Race 3 was then stopped and the remainder of the meeting cancelled following the death of Malachi Mitchell Thomas.
As is the now normal procedure Thursday night saw the first racing of the NW200 event. The weather was glorious, as it had been all week, the roads were in top condition and things are now scheduled to move much more quickly, with the organisers now putting the focus on the racing, for the benefit of the spectators and fans rather than pit lane walks, interviews and TV cameras holding up the proceedings.
A welcome change to the program.
Three races were scheduled for the evening race session, however due to a non race related fire on the course Race 2 had to be postponed. Then when set off again a race incident involving Ryan Farquhar and Dan Cooper suspended and ultimately finished proceedings for the evening.
The third race was scheduled to run on Saturday 14th May 2016 as part of the Saturday race programme.
However more importantly and thankfully Ryan Farquhar, who was seriously injured is now making good progress and full recovery is expected, Dan Cooper was not seriously injured, should also be back to 100% fighting fit very soon.
A non race related fire on the course suspends Race 2 at the NW200 on Thursday 12 May 2016
The 2016 NW200 ended in tragedy yesterday with the death of a new comer to the event, Malachi Mitchell-Thomas, a 20 year old from Chorley in Lancashire.
A true racer who was over at the event with his father and this year had set the Irish Road Racing Scene on fire with his talent, personality and charism.
A true tragedy without doubt, however rather than me try to express this young man’s skills and talent, 2 interviews that I have watched sum everything up perfectly and are absolutely worth watching…
Malachi Mitchell Thomas’ Father Pays Tribute to His Son
Official statement from #GuyMartin:
Plenty of folk have been asking what I’m up to this year.
I fancy a change of scenery. I’ve been racing the TT for 11 years. All I’ve really done since I was 18, except the trucks, is race motorbikes and my brain needs something else.
Every year’s the same: testing, racing, then start again. It brought it home to me when I was lying in hospital after the Ulster Grand Prix crash.
I’ve been on about the Tour Divide, the toughest pushbike race in the world, for three years and I thought I’ll blink and next thing I’ll be 45, so I’m going to do it this year. I like breaking myself mentally and the Tour Divide will be tough, but it’s same time at TT, so that’s forced me to make a choice.
I’m not done with motorbikes. I’m attempting the Wall of Death record in the spring and having a go at the land speed record in the summer and if I do race on the roads it will be with TAS.
After the Tour Divide I might never want to see a pushbike again – or never want to go road racing again, I don’t know. But I do know Bruce Anstey and John McGuinness are still racing the TT, and they’ve got a few years on me, so maybe I’ll come back next year. Or maybe I’ll find something else interesting to do.
I’ve got more interests than just motorbikes and I just think let’s bloody have ‘em.
Thanks very much as ever for the support.
Guy.
Unfortunately to me that reads as a ‘farewell.’ Hopefully it is more of a ‘see you later’ than a ‘good bye.’
The Causeway Coastal Route, in Northern Ireland currently sits at Number 3 in the Top Ten Driving Roads in the world! That is amazing, and it has been in the top ten consistently for the last 10 years!
It runs from Belfast to Portrush and takes a good couple of hours to complete, or many more hours if you decide to check out the numerous scenic points and forest drives along the way. It truly is stunning and on a bright, sunny day it is simply outstanding. If you ever have the privilege of visiting Northern Ireland the ‘Coast Road’ is an absolute must.
However as you travel along it you will come across a sign post for Torr Head Scenic Route, this is one of many brown ‘Tourist’ Signs dotted along the Causeway Route, and it can be hard to decide which ones to go for and even harder – which ones to miss.
Torr Head Scenic View Point, Ballycastle
This is one you can not miss. This is one of my favourite roads in the country and although I love the Causeway Route I often drive it just to get to the Torr Road. The views here are breathtaking as you weave up and down the mountains before arriving at Torr Head View point. An old abandoned Coast guard post remains, and when the weather is good you can clearly see Scotland, which sits a mere 12 miles in front of you. It is a nice climb to see the Coast Guards’ Station but truthfully it is all about this road, it is like something in the movies, honestly, drive it, you will not be disappointed!
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptRejectRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
