North West 2018

[DriftnSlide]

So........following on from the TT thread and as its up first, who is heading up this year ? I know a lot of people have been put off over the years, but they seem to have sorted some of the issues out last year, regarding delays between races and the ability to run over into the Sunday should it be neccessary.
Like everyone else i've seen huge changes over the years and not for the better imo. However......... its still the biggest sporting event in N. Ireland and bringing the top road racers from around the world, providing excellent racing, weather permitting and should be supported by attendance.
I head up every year for the week and for me, its an annual opportunity to meet up with a few old friends from both here and accross the water and have a bit of craic for a few days and enjoy the racing, nightlife and general atmosphere.

Edit: I can provide free, safe, bike parking for any members on here if they wish.

 

[DriftnSlide]

Before anyone jumps in with criticism......... yes.......the UGP is a better racing event (i attend it to) but it hasn't got the same ammenities being in the sticks and this is a NW200 thread.

 

[Chris666]

Haha all in good time for the UGP/Armoy etc

Should be doing a practice night at least if not thursday racing.


Tuesday 15th May Practice 9.15am – 3.00pm
Thursday 17th May Practice 9.15am – 3.00pm
Thursday 17th May Evening Racing 5.00pm – 9.00pm
Saturday 19th May Race Day 9.15am – 7.00pm

 

[DriftnSlide]

I'll have a place beside Trolans garage just up from Mill Rd should you or anyone (RMS members only) want to park. (bikes only)

 

[Chris666]

That sounds like a plan

 

[big-lew18]

Me and a friend are headong up. Hopefully ive a bike sorted by then though. Havnt missed one since i was 8

 

[warren]

I normally head up on the Thursday night if the weather is decent! Saturday is normally just wayyyy to much of a faff for me!

 

[mckeown]

Thursdau last year was so good, weather was great and the racing was fantastic to watch, work permitting im hoping to head up for the thursday and sat this year

 

[Captain Starlet]

Wouldn't miss it for the world, undecided whether to ride up on the Fireblade on Friday and camp or take the van up with the Supermoto in the back, see what the weather is like closer to the time. Where do you normally all watch from?

 

[Jordy]

Will head to practices but I’ll watch race day online......saves any hassle, they do some ****ing about between races.

 

[DriftnSlide]

....saves any hassle, they do some ****ing about between races.

They've got all that dicking about between races sorted out, as of last year.
Everyone complained about it (including the riders) and Merv took notice.

 

[big-lew18]

Just got it confirmed in work this morning that im off the thursday and friday that week. Really looking foward to it now

 

[Captain Starlet]

Holidays booked for the week and the following Monday. Just need to get the bikes through Mot this week

 

[Dub_cub 89]

I'm off work the Friday and the Monday after, still not sure if I'm taking the car or the bike, I'll only have been riding for a few weeks by that stage so will still be quite nervous, I'll see how I feel.

 

[Captain Starlet]

I'm off work the Friday and the Monday after, still not sure if I'm taking the car or the bike, I'll only have been riding for a few weeks by that stage so will still be quite nervous, I'll see how I feel.

Probably best to follow someone up who is reasonably sensible, it can be a bit daunting the first time with the amount of bike traffic, especially leaving on the Saturday after racing, its like a free for all. But it's an experience that I would put off for another year if I was in your position.

 

[Dub_cub 89]

Yea I might be safer in the car this time, bike traffic was a wee bit close for comfort last time I was up and it was like the wacky races going to and from it

 

[Captain Starlet]

I will be heading up on Thursday if you wanted to tag along with us for a bit of experience. You can always just wait a few hours after the racing has ended and head home when the traffic has calmed down.

 

[big-lew18]

@Dub_cub 89 I was coming through Ballynahinch on Saturday after the racing at Bishopscourt and it was chock-a-block, I found the start, stop traffic easier to work my way through rather than the slow moving traffic that was in Lisburn. Even managed a bit of filtering, which makes you feel like a lord.lol. And that was my second day on the road. Throw yourself in at the deep end, thats what i always do, and if the traffic gets a bit daunting pull over and let it pass. Just know your limits/ablities and you'll be fine. Dont let more experienced riders pull you along. There was a few riders up at Dundrod pits last night doing a few laps of the circuit too and as much as i wanted to follow them around to try and sponge off them, I soon realised they were in a different league. Im sure they got a laugh when they banked it in at the end of they flying kilo and I put the anchors on and never seen them again. Im heading up with a few friends, some experienced, some newbies, some nutters and some sensible. Ive told them they i'll be sticking to a sensible pace though

 

[Chris666]

Should go without saying, don't be doing anything daft like having a small plate, wheelies or being generous with your speed. PSNI love NW week

Also: An awful lot of riders will have spent 6 months in the garage praying for a nice day, therefore they're a bit rusty around the edges. By all means ride up, but don't go with the masses - there's a lot of Michael Dunlops come hometime

 

[fabiostar]

ay il be heading up and down the coast a few times during the week for practice nights and a general mooch about

 

[AC]

First year having our static in portrush so looking forward to a coast road run and being able to stay up.

Hoping for some good weather this year, last years Thursdsy night practice was sublime, ended up at Ballysally Roundabout which was a good spot (easy to escape after too). Pity about the change of weather for the Saturday, ended up staying at home with the feet up.

 

[Ben]

I have never been to NW, is it worth a spin down? Superbikes have never appealed to me tbh though.
Wouldn't be able to this year as I'm away on a stag weekend and not back until the Sunday afternoon.

 

[mckeown]

In a word, yes, its the feeling of speed and the atmosphere that makes it for me. And you can get a run up and down the coast if the mood takes you.

 

[m00k]

It’s a good event will hopefully get a run up for race day with the sprogs in the car weather permitting

 

[Deleted member 13907]

I have never been to NW, is it worth a spin down? Superbikes have never appealed to me tbh though.
Wouldn't be able to this year as I'm away on a stag weekend and not back until the Sunday afternoon.

Even Rebekah wants to go back. She has zero interest in anything sporting or bike related, but we were up a couple of years ago and she would definitely go back...maybe not this year, due to her 'condition'