Last week saw a start to our European 2014 season with a visit to Northern Ireland and Donegal.

The tour was once again guided by Roy and Alison from Coldstream Bike Training -  http://www.coldstream-bike-training.co.uk/  - who are in their third year of running some tours on our behalf. Judging by the many emails of thanks, they once again did a great job of looking after everyone, and maintaining the standards our customers have come to expect.

 Alison tells me that they had some great weather for their tour, only encountering rain on race day and then apparently that was scattered, dependent on which part of the course you were watching from. I listened to some of the NW200 on the internet and the weather certainly did not dampen the excitement of the racing. Some chose to watch the racing from the shelter of Joey’s bar, whilst others headed to Belfast to check out the ‘Titanic’ exhibition. Having visited there on last years ‘Manx GP’ tour I know it is well worth a visit.

 Thursday is the day to explore the Antrim Coast; always a personal favourite of mine, the coast offers great roads, tremendous views and popular tourist attractions. From what I hear the group chilled out down at Ballintoy harbour over an ice cream or two.

 Donegal was the destination for Friday, and the chance to visit Malin Head the most Northerly point of Southern Ireland.  Following the coast southwards, lunch was at one of our favourite places overlooking the sea, where they got talking to a local author who directed them on a coastal road unknown to us previously.  Just shows you cannot beat local knowledge.